GHM (or other Carseat experts)

Ciarrai

I need recs on a booster and if I can move DD#1 to a booster.  She's almost 5, but is very very tiny for her age.  She's definitely mature enough for one and it'd be sooooooooooooo nice if she could buckle herself in the car.  She needs to be able to next year for Kindergarten for the carpool lane anyway.  But she only weighs about 32 lbs and is maybe 38 inches.  Is she physically too little?  I saw a couple high-back boosters that said 30-100lbs and started at 37 or 38 inches, but she's right at the bottom of that scale.  Do you know anything about the recommendations on that?  Thanks!!!

goodheartedmommy

I don't know that I'd be comfortable with her in a booster at that weight/height. Submarining (sliding out from under belt) is an issue with smaller kids. If she was 35 lbs, or 5.5 years old, I'd say maybe, but the general rule is that you can subtract a couple of pounds for every year over 4. Her hips may still not be fully mature, and she won't have the "bulk" of a bigger child.

There are definitely high back boosters made for 30+ lbs, but I'd say to hold off a little while longer.  Hopefully by the fall when school starts, she'll be a couple pounds heavier.

goodheartedmommy

And if you decide to do a booster, this is the one I'd get:

https://www.amazon.com/Recaro-Vivo-Booster-Carseat-Carbon/dp/B002NYQYOW

It's good for slim kids due to the narrow design (you don't want them swimming in the seat, you know?), and has nice deep headwings. 

Ciarrai

Thanks so much for the info/advice!!!  I know maturity-wise, she's definitely ready but my kids are just so tiny!  I'll look at that booster and probably keep her in the carseat a bit longer.  She can almost buckle herself.  Maybe DH can put some WD-40 on the bottom buckle since she can get that if/when he does. 

(I'm moving all three carseats around the van to try to make it easier for us to get the kids in and out.  Right now I think I circle the van 3 times just opening doors, unbuckling and buckling kids.  While I was moving seats, I thought I'd ask.)

AZ_Erica

Please double check you manual before you WD-40 the bottom buckle.  Ours for our Britax and our Radian specifically say not to oil or use anything on them other than cleaning them with water.