Car seat transformation ?

kellygirl0515

My DS is 39 inches and 43 lbs... is there any reason why I can't move him to a booster seat in the car?  He's 3yrs old and I feel as though he's outgrowing his car seat.  Anyone have any advice?  I checked the instructions on the booster seat and he's within the required guidelines.  Kel

darlene'smommy

I would read this and watch the videos then figure what you want.  It is much safer for a child to be in a 5 pt harness for many reasons.

https://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=38893

emiliemadison

The real question is "Is there are reason I SHOULD switch him to a booster now?". Personally, I dont think so. A 3 year old truly does not have the maturity to be in a booster. Most kids are not actually ready to sit properly in a booster 100% of the time until they're closer to age 6-7.  My 4.5 year old is 42" and 35 lbs and is still WELL within the guidelines for using most of the convertible seats on the market right now.

What seat do you currently have? Many 5 pt harnessed seats on the market now go to 65 lbs and over 50", so it's doubtful he's actually outgrown his seat. And if he has, it's still safer to keep him in a 5 pt harness longer. Remember that the guidelines on the booster are the minimums, which are not as safe as the maximum age/weight/height limits on 5 pt harness seats.

I think you'd like the Graco Nautilus seat. It will allow him to remain in the 5 pt harness much longer and then can eventually become a booster. 

Halo79RN

https://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/broch/c-1.htm

here is nys law...  I would look up the ht and wt limits on the seat he is currently in.  

personally, I'd stick with 5 point harness.  my dc are tiny though.  I cannot imagine a shoulder seat belt holding them in if I had to slam on my breaks. the nautilus is a great option if you really think he needs a new seat  b/c it can be 5pt to should seatbelt high back, to just the booster (no high back).     

Halo79RN

from the nys dmv site 

https://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/DMVfaqs.htm#carseat

These examples can help you to select the correct child safety seat: 

• Infant seats are normally for infants that weigh approximately 22 pounds or less, are 25 inches or less in length.Always place the seat in the back seat of the vehcle and make sure the child safety seat faces rear of the vehicle. Never put an infant in the front seat of a vehicle that has a passenger-side air bag.
• Convertible child safety seats are normally for infants or toddlers that weigh approximately 40 pounds or less. For infants, face these seats toward the rear of the vehicle. Follow manufacturer instructions to adjust the seat as the child grows. For the best possible protection, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that a child continue to face the rear for as long as possible up to the weight and height limits specified by the seat manufacturer. For toddlers, you can change a convertible seat to face the front of the vehicle.
• Booster seats are for children who have outgrown convertible or toddler seats. Booster seats are for children who are four to eight years old, weigh 40 to 80 pounds, and are less than four feet, nine inches in height.  You can use a booster seat until an adult seat belt correctly fits the child without use of the booster seat. Alwaysuse both the shoulder and lap belts with a booster seat. Never use only the lap belt with a booster seat. ? Built-in child seats are available with some vehicle models.
• Built-in child seats fold away from the standard car seats. Do not use these seats for infants

goodheartedmommy

Make sure his shoulders are not above the top slots of his seat or that the top of his ears are not above the top of the shell of the seat. A lot of seats bought 3 years ago would be outgrown by height, if you didn't purposefully seek one with a tall shell (and not many existed at that point). He will not be safe in a booster, though. I'd look into the graco nautilus--it's a good, tall, harnessed seat that converts to a good booster later on, when it's a more appropriate choice.

blueshirt2003

For our oldest (turned 6 in January) we have him in the Graco Nautilus using the 5pt harness and everything.

He meets the car seat requirements to just use the booster portion but he's definitely safer in the 5pt at this time IMO.