Can anyone suggest a booster carseat?

[WeLoveLilo05]

....for under $50 with the back attachment? Which one do you have? What do you like about it? What don't you like about it? DD is just under 40lbs, she is 5, she is tall and super skinny. We will be doing a few long drives (probably 8 hours to NH and then our 18 hour ride to Disney). Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[locolala]

What is she using now? How tall is she? Most 5 point harnesses can go past 40lbs, and kids are way safer in the 5 points. I'm not trying to lecture you, just wanted to make sure you know

 

[woodkins]

We used the Evenflo Big Kid Deluxe booster & my dd loved it. It had 2 cupholders on the sides and lights on either side of the head rest so she could read books etc at night. The seat covers are removable for washing and you can take the back off to convert it to a backless booster if you want to later on.

 

[Nanu57v]

We have DD (5, 35 pounds, 43 inches tall) in a harnessed Graco Nautilus in my car, and in a Graco Turbobooster in DH's car. She loves the cupholder (her britax roundabout didn't have one).

(turbobooster)

(Nautilus...well over $50 and not a booster, but cute! and goes up to 65lbs harnessed).

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

What is she using now? How tall is she? Most 5 point harnesses can go past 40lbs, and kids are way safer in the 5 points. I'm not trying to lecture you, just wanted to make sure you know

Yes thank you, I know, we have 2 5 point harnesses for my car and my mom's car. The real reason for going out and getting another car seat is because we got a new car. So now, after thinking about it at dinner I decided that I should get the booster and put it in my mom's car (since if she goes anywhere with my mom it won't be on highways or anything) and take her 5 pt and put it in my new car. So this way when we go to Disney she'll be safe and her head won't be drooping if she falls asleep or anything.
I just figured instead of spending a lot of cash on a 3rd 5pt harness car seat that I should just get the booster since that what she will be in in time. I looked at some tonight and they seemed like they would be pretty hard on the tush if sitting for long periods of time.

 

[bumbershoot]

The Nautilus does become a booster. The 5 point harness is for use to 65 lbs, and then after that it's a booster (you take off the harness straps). I know it's more than a booster, but...being safer is nice. (My guy is nearly 6, is probably over 50 lbs by now, and likes his Nautilus.)

 

[mjkacmom]

I got the graco turboboosters for 3 of mine. My kids were out of the 5 point boosters by 4, mostly because we carpool a lot, and with 5 kids of various ages, I need to be able to switch out the boosters every day. We also have 2 britax backless boosters (they started out with backs), because they were the narrowest I could find when my twins were born, and we had 3 carseats and 2 boosters in the van. I think the graco's have more padding, but are wider.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We've got 4 Graco Turboboosters and haven't had any problems. We've had them in several different cars, and they fit well in all of them. MIL has them in her car also.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

would you ever consider buying a booster from a consignment shop?
I have 2 in close proximity, one only takes things that are pretty much brand new/excellent condition and pays me on the spot. The other one takes almost anything, but I did ask her about car seats once, as I had an infant one that was taking up space in my mom's attic and she said car seats (and something else, pack and plays maybe?) she will only take with a manual.

But booster seats are pretty standard right? I mean there's no straps, could there really be much fault w/ a used one other than maybe it being stained or what not?What do you think?

 

[Normangirls]

This is not something I would not buy used, since once a car seat or booster has been in an accident they are considered obsolete and should not continue to be used. Who knows the history of one you get second-hand?

Also, after about five years, most manufactureres recommend discontinuing use since the plastic begins to break down (in effect, to decompose), and may not be as effectual as when it was new.

Anyway, we got the Cosco Pronto from WalMart for around $40.

Check out these recommendations (Consumer Reports recommended using these ratings):

http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/boosters/default.html