Driving straight through to Disney... car seat question

[all4fun]

FYI - just because you CAN...doesn't mean you SHOULD. Each step up in child seats is a step down in safety. Most children aren't mature enough to sit in a booster all the time until they are 5-6 years old. 4 years and 40 lbs is a bare MINIMUM (just like the 1 and 20 for Rear facing) for high back boosters. Unfortunately, most children outgrow the harness of the 3 in 1s (alpha omega/cosco/eddie bauer, etc) way before they are ready for a booster.

I have to check out my manual. My dd is almost 40 lbs. I could have sworn it was to 60, but I can be wrong! I just looked! WOW! Didn't know.
In fact, I can use it as a booster alread. I think I might go ahead and do that. Thanks!

ITA with Kim_o. If your dd still fits in the harness (shoulders haven't gone past the top useable slots (2nd from top position in the 3-in-1) and she is under 40lbs, then continue to use the harness. Dorel also somewhat recently changed the rule on this seat to require the child be 40lbs before using it as a booster as well.

 

[creativeamanda]

What about a child who is 42 pounds, extremely short, and 5 yo? I'm asking because I had my dd5 in a booster seat and was ticketed for not having her in a 5pt harness a month ago. So I put her the 5pt harness. But if she's too heavy, then does she need to be back in booster? (The cop did not weigh her, of course.)

 

[kim_o]

If your car seat only goes up to 40 lbs...then yes, she is too heavy. Weights on car seats are absolutes...you're not supposed to push the limit or go over them. There are 5 point harnesses that go over 40 lbs. She is much to young and tiny to be in a no back booster - but if it was a high back booster, I don't see why you were ticketed. I wouldn't recommend a child of that size being in a high back booster full time - but it wouldn't be illegal in most states (if not all states - just not positive on all state booster laws ;-))

 

[creativeamanda]

If your car seat only goes up to 40 lbs...then yes, she is too heavy. Weights on car seats are absolutes...you're not supposed to push the limit or go over them. There are 5 point harnesses that go over 40 lbs. She is much to young and tiny to be in a no back booster - but if it was a high back booster, I don't see why you were ticketed. I wouldn't recommend a child of that size being in a high back booster full time - but it wouldn't be illegal in most states (if not all states - just not positive on all state booster laws ;-))

My neighbor--also an officer--disagreed and went to the other officer and had the ticket thrown out. I'll re-weigh her again, but I'm certain she weighs 42. I'll get those 5pt harness straps out. Thanks. Then, if he stops me again, I'll point out the information on the side of the car seat--the weight limits are right there. But since my neighbor got it thrown out for me, I don't think he'll stop me again. Believe it or not, he looked in the car at a stop sign, said he thought I didn't have my kids belted properly, and gave me a ticket for that one thing. And then he was wrong.

 

[all4fun]

4 yrs and 40lbs is the bare minimum recommendation for moving a child up to a booster so a 5yr old that weighs 40lbs should be OK in one, providing she stays properly seated in it 100% of the time. If she ever moves the shoulder strap behind her back, slumps, twists around in the seat, etc... then if she's doing that at the time of a crash she could be seriously injured. If she had the shoulder belt anywhere but over her shoulder when the cop looked in your window then that might account for why he thought she wasn't properly restrained. Obviously I wasn't there so I have no idea what she was doing or what the police officer might have seen just saying this is a possibility.
Mainly just wanted to comment that she sounds like she was "properly restrained" according to NC law so you do have the law on your side. Hopefully he realizes his mistake and doesn't pull you over again!

 

[pjupton]

I find my Britax seats are much easier to install and to buckle the kids into than our Graco seats used in our second car... the difference is enough that I think the Britax are worth every penny. I noticed some models on sale at Albee Baby (Google is your friend) today.

 

[lpoeppelman]

First of all... thanks for all the information. I had no idea you could put a child in RF for so long. I'm so glad I have all this valuable information! I thought I knew a thing or 2 about car seats, but evidently not... I learned a lot reading these pages.

I am looking at purchasing the Britax Boulevard car seat and the only thing negative I have heard about it is that the buckle between the child's legs is really short and difficult to get to. Has anyone else noticed this? And if so, do you know if it is an issue with other models Britax makes? I have this issue with my current car seat and I absolutely hate it. My children always have thunder thighs and I remember accidently pinching one of them because of this. But maybe it is this way for a safety reason... who knows.

Also-- it looks to me that the Boulevard offers the most protection (including side-crash), but I'm finding differing information on the Britax website and on retailer sites about the RF weight capacity. The Britax website says 35lbs for RF.. where the retailer sites are saying 33 lbs. Can anyone else confirm that the Boulevard is 35lbs for RF?

Thanks so much for all the information!

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

We love our Britax seats! We have the Marathon (up to 65 lbs) and the Husky (now the regent) up to 80 lbs. Our oldest has always been tall for her age and I couldn't bear the thought of putting her in a booster a few years ago so we got the Husky. This poor child will be in 2nd grade and still be in a 5 pt harness. :lol: But, we will feel safer!

Side note: Even though the US has less strict standards than say, Europe, I think that Britax manufactures the US seats to exceed the US standards.

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

I want to second the PPs who say:

1. Don't prop/tilt the car seat. Use a neck/travel pillow if your child's head lolls to one side.

2. Rear facing is best for as long as your seat will allow. There are many models that are rear facing up to 35 lbs. My kids were RF till they were 3.5 yrs old.

3. Britax are wonderful. We use the Britax Regent for both kids (now 8 and 5!). The Regent is a forward facing 5 point harness seat for 1 year olds and up, 22-80 lbs, less than 53" tall, and less 20" sitting from hip to collarbone.

Click here for details

 

[kim_o]

First of all... thanks for all the information. I had no idea you could put a child in RF for so long. I'm so glad I have all this valuable information! I thought I knew a thing or 2 about car seats, but evidently not... I learned a lot reading these pages.

I am looking at purchasing the Britax Boulevard car seat and the only thing negative I have heard about it is that the buckle between the child's legs is really short and difficult to get to. Has anyone else noticed this? And if so, do you know if it is an issue with other models Britax makes? I have this issue with my current car seat and I absolutely hate it. My children always have thunder thighs and I remember accidently pinching one of them because of this. But maybe it is this way for a safety reason... who knows.

Also-- it looks to me that the Boulevard offers the most protection (including side-crash), but I'm finding differing information on the Britax website and on retailer sites about the RF weight capacity. The Britax website says 35lbs for RF.. where the retailer sites are saying 33 lbs. Can anyone else confirm that the Boulevard is 35lbs for RF?

Thanks so much for all the information!

I have a Boulevard for both of my kids. I haven't had issues with the crotch strap - but then again, mine are still little (2.5 and 1). I have read other that did. I think the crotch pad does a lot to alleviate potential issues. Perhaps someone with older kids can chime in.

As far as weight capacity....all of the Britaxes were RF-ing up to 33 lbs if they were manufactured prior to 2008. The 2008 Marathons and Boulevards now RF up to 35 lbs.