When to move to a booster?

shouldbworkin

Not a backless one, but a belt positioning?  Where can I find info? I think DS (4) is almost too tall for one of his car seats (the other is a Britax Blvd, plenty of room in that).  But, he is on the small side (not even 36 lbs yet).  The harness is on the top slot, but his shoulders are almost above the slot.  Is that ok as long as his ears aren't above the top of the seat??? 

I wish there was better info out there about this stuff! 

penguingrrl

Whether that's okay depends on the seat.  My graco comfortsport manual said it wasn't okay and DD (who is tall) outgrew the harness at 17 months and 24 lbs.  My radian 65 says it's safe to use the top harness slot until the child's ears are at the top of the seat even if their shoulder is above the slot.

emiliemadison

Check the manual on that specific seat to see if it's one or the other (ears/shoulders). Typically, once the shoulders are above the slot it cant be used anymore.

The safety minimum for a booster is 4 years AND 40 lbs. That said, even 40 lb 4 year olds are safer in a 5 pt harness. If you dont really need two seats, then I'd just stick with the Blvd. But if you need another seat, definitely consider the First Years TrueFit. It's a lot less expensive than it's main competitors, and I would argue it's the best seat on the market for the price. It's got the highest harness height and shell height out there and will last most kids until they are truly ready for a booster. If you're willing to spend a bit more, either another Blvd, or a Sunshine Kids Radian will be exactly what you're looking for.

If you want more info, check out the boards on car-seat.org. They've got a great message board!

shouldbworkin

emiliemadison:

Check the manual on that specific seat to see if it's one or the other (ears/shoulders). Typically, once the shoulders are above the slot it cant be used anymore.

The safety minimum for a booster is 4 years AND 40 lbs. That said, even 40 lb 4 year olds are safer in a 5 pt harness. If you dont really need two seats, then I'd just stick with the Blvd. But if you need another seat, definitely consider the First Years TrueFit. It's a lot less expensive than it's main competitors, and I would argue it's the best seat on the market for the price. It's got the highest harness height and shell height out there and will last most kids until they are truly ready for a booster. If you're willing to spend a bit more, either another Blvd, or a Sunshine Kids Radian will be exactly what you're looking for.

If you want more info, check out the boards on car-seat.org. They've got a great message board!

thank you!  I will check that out!  We need two, but I would like him to be in a harness as long as possible. 

LeoChic

I was just asking this question about a month ago.  In the research that I did I found that a booster, even a belt positioning one, is 4 years and 40 lbs.  It doesn't sound like your son would qualify based on weight.  But he's so close that if you had to buy something it doesn't seem worth it to get a bigger car seat.  Having said that, I know my SIL's have moved their kids at 3 years and 30 lbs.  Apparently there's an evenflo convertible seat out there that the manual indicates it can be used as a booster at 30 lbs and that is what they are using. 

I will not be moving DD anytime soon.  She's 3.5 and just reached 30 lbs.  She is still nowhere close to being tall enough to be in a booster.  Frankly, I want her in a 5 pt harness for as long as possible.  I'm in no way in a hurry to move her to a booster.  

goodheartedmommy

I'd get a seat like the graco nautilus that can be a 5 pt harness for now and then a booster later. Avoid the 3-in-1 seats (rear facing, forward facing, booster), as those make awful boosters and short top harness slots. But something like the nautilus (or frontier, which costs a lot more), is a good option for a child who is already forward facing.