OT: Carseats - Do you use one for your toddler, or do you use a booster?

[pednurse]

My kids have always been very big for their ages. Both outgrew their infant carriers by 4 months and outgrew safety seats with internal harnesses by age 2. They stayed in highback boosters until they outgrew them at age 4. Then they went into lowback boosters. Now DD is 5 1/2 and still using her lowback (and she will for quite awhile longer). DS is 9 and we took him out of the lowback at little before he turned 8 when he met all the height/weight/5-point test requirements to safely ride with just the van's shoulder/lap belt. Even then it worried me a bit just because I was so used to having him in something extra (but he really could no longer use the booster as it made the seatbelt ride too low to be safe). I just don't get it when people use the excuse of "my kid doesn't like his carseat" to not use one. There are a lot of things in life we don't like but we still have to do. My kids have never had a problem with their seats....it's what they've always been used to and part of the routine (and when they've asked why, I've explained about their safety). As a matter of fact, my DS was so ingrained with the buckling up idea that he flipped out when he found out school buses don't have seatbelts (but that's a different soapbox for another day....).

 

[SandrainNC]

For my oldest (he is 6.5), we just got a Britax Marathon last week because he was getting close to having to switch to using his seat as a booster. He is petite (34 pounds and about 40 inches tall) and has special needs (I was afraid he would be able to get out of the seat used as a booster and wouldn't understand not to try to do so) so I thought he needed to be in the 5 point longer. So since the Marathon goes to 65 pounds, we are set for a little while. I need something for DH's car though to replace that one soon (he has 6 more pounds to use the 5 point harness on it), but the marathon is too big for the car. Any suggestions for a seat that goes up to around 65 pounds or more that would fit better in a smaller car (Chevy Malibu)? Thanks!

And of course my little one is in a 5 point too.

Sandra

 

[all4fun]

What do you use for your children, and how old are they?

My ds is 4-1/4 and has three seats in three different vehicles, all with internal 5pt harnesses. We will probably be replacing those with seats that have taller top harness slots soon since he's close to outgrowing them all by height (he has a long torso). He is still only 34lbs but tall for his age and even if weight weren't an issue I don't think he's mature enough to be in just the adult seatbelt w/booster yet. Our state also just changed the law - kids have to be 4'9" or 80lbs minimum before moving out of a booster seat.

FYI someone should tell that mom that you should never use a booster with just a lap belt. They should always be used w/a lap/shoulder belt.

 

[hiddenj]

For my oldest (he is 6.5), we just got a Britax Marathon last week because he was getting close to having to switch to using his seat as a booster. He is petite (34 pounds and about 40 inches tall) and has special needs (I was afraid he would be able to get out of the seat used as a booster and wouldn't understand not to try to do so) so I thought he needed to be in the 5 point longer. So since the Marathon goes to 65 pounds, we are set for a little while. I need something for DH's car though to replace that one soon (he has 6 more pounds to use the 5 point harness on it), but the marathon is too big for the car. Any suggestions for a seat that goes up to around 65 pounds or more that would fit better in a smaller car (Chevy Malibu)? Thanks!

And of course my little one is in a 5 point too.

Sandra

Try a sunshine radian.

 

[jeni1072]

My almost 7 year old will be in a booster until she is probably in 3rd or 4th grade. My 3 year old is still in a 5 pt harness and will be until she is physically to be to do so.

In FL no child has to be in anything other than a seat belt, after age 3. I cannot fathom putting a 3 year flat on a seat with a shoulder belt over him. I mean the belt must come across their face, not to mention the chance they will sit back and remain safe all the time, is laughable. FL has one of the worst car seat laws in the country.

 

[ampc3]

I don't know if this is a "southern" thing or not, but we recently just moved to the atlanta area, from the midwest, and I can't count how many times I have seen kids not in car/booster seats AND IN THE FRONT SEAT ! I know it isn't against the law to ride in the front seat, but it is STRONGLY recommended to be in the back until 13! That drives me crazy to see kids in the front seat. I see soo many parents put there infant car seats in front next to them!

 

[blebert]

Well, after reading everyone's posts here, I not so sure that my girls are really safe in what I have them in. I am a young mom and don't really know a lot about the different carseats and stuff, but I thought as long as I followed the hight/weight requirement on the seats than I was fine. But from what all you say, I am not so sure. I have a 3 and 4 year old girls and 22 weeks pregnant and we have one truck in the family, it is a extended cab with the 4 doors. My 4 year old completely out grow her carseat, so we go her a booster seat (w/out the back part, because we couldn't find it, it didn't come with the seat, and the store didn't sell it)But on the label, her age/height/weight was ok, to be like that. Plus this help make room in the back seat of the truck, so we can fit another carset back there in a few months. My 3 year old has a booster as well but is too small for it without the back piece according to the label, so she is using her carseat with out the straps that came with it, because they were too low for her, but it has places for the seatbelt to hook to it, so that is what she uses. I know it is legal here in Florida for them to be in what they are in, but I am now just hoping they are SAFE!?!?!

 

[KristinU]

For my oldest (he is 6.5), we just got a Britax Marathon last week because he was getting close to having to switch to using his seat as a booster. He is petite (34 pounds and about 40 inches tall) and has special needs (I was afraid he would be able to get out of the seat used as a booster and wouldn't understand not to try to do so) so I thought he needed to be in the 5 point longer. So since the Marathon goes to 65 pounds, we are set for a little while. I need something for DH's car though to replace that one soon (he has 6 more pounds to use the 5 point harness on it), but the marathon is too big for the car. Any suggestions for a seat that goes up to around 65 pounds or more that would fit better in a smaller car (Chevy Malibu)? Thanks!

And of course my little one is in a 5 point too.

Sandra

Try a sunshine radian.

I was just about to say the same thing! My DS 3.5, 39 in. and 36 lbs is in a Britax Marathon and a Sunshine Kids Radian 65. Both go to 65 lbs and both are 5 point harnesses. He'll be in them until he outgrows them. The Radian also comes in an 80 lb. limit - but from what I understand the harness slots aren't any higher, so we went with the 65.

Side note: On the Radian, I got a much more solid install using a non-skid mat underneath. It was within the acceptable limits of wiggling without it, but I'm just happier with a rock-solid install.

 

[blebert]

[QUOTEIn FL no child has to be in anything other than a seat belt, after age 3. I cannot fathom putting a 3 year flat on a seat with a shoulder belt over him. I mean the belt must come across their face, not to mention the chance they will sit back and remain safe all the time, is laughable. FL has one of the worst car seat laws in the country.
][/QUOTE]

Where I live in Florida, the cops and even TV, tell us that it is Florida State law that they have to be in a booster til they are 4ft 9in (or or somewhere around that height, I know it is between 4 1/2 Ft and 5 ft)

 

[abcboys]

2 year old in 5 pt. harness. 5 year old in low back booster. 8 year old in regular seatbelt.

 

[all4fun]

I do have one question regarding booster seats for height. DD uses a high back turbo booster and it is recommended by the ped to use until she is around 4 feet 9inches. She has a friend who is under 57 inches yet over 100lbs. Are there any booster seats that are designed for her weight or does the extra weight somehow override the height issue?

Unfortunately I don't think weight over rides the other factors. How much over 100lbs is she? If its not much then it comes down to parental choice and they could still use a booster if she's not passing the 5 step test HERE and as long as she otherwise fits in it (for comfort and height) despite the weight limit. This is providing that the seat does not seem to break down in any way by the child sitting in it. A good backless one for "husky" (sorry couldn't think of a better discriptive) kids is the Cosco Prospect (it's one of the widest) and it runs for about $20-25 at Wal*mart. I would only use a backless booster if they have tall adjustable head rests to provide adequate whip lash protection.

hth

 

[all4fun]

Well, after reading everyone's posts here, I not so sure that my girls are really safe in what I have them in. I am a young mom and don't really know a lot about the different carseats and stuff, but I thought as long as I followed the hight/weight requirement on the seats than I was fine. But from what all you say, I am not so sure. I have a 3 and 4 year old girls and 22 weeks pregnant and we have one truck in the family, it is a extended cab with the 4 doors. My 4 year old completely out grow her carseat, so we go her a booster seat (w/out the back part, because we couldn't find it, it didn't come with the seat, and the store didn't sell it)But on the label, her age/height/weight was ok, to be like that. Plus this help make room in the back seat of the truck, so we can fit another carset back there in a few months. My 3 year old has a booster as well but is too small for it without the back piece according to the label, so she is using her carseat with out the straps that came with it, because they were too low for her, but it has places for the seatbelt to hook to it, so that is what she uses. I know it is legal here in Florida for them to be in what they are in, but I am now just hoping they are SAFE!?!?!

It sounds like your 3yr old is in a "combination" booster seat - one that converts from a 5pt harness seat to a booster. If you want to put her back in a 5pt harness seat there are some that will probably still accommodate her height and weight wise. Many of the 40lb limit combo seats have low top harness slots and are outgrown by height by age three however that is not really a safe age for a child to ride in just a booster seat. Also, High back boosters provide 70% more protection in a side impact than Low Back Booster's. If you want really great car seat advice I recommend www.car-seat.org forums or the Babycenter.com car safety tips forum.

hth

 

[jazz0007]

DD - 5 Britax Regent
DS - 2 Britax Marathon

The Britax Regent goes to 80lbs as a 5-pt. The Britax's are SO worth the extra $$!!!

 

[Elmo888]

DD7 is in a Britax Bodyguard high back booster. I moved her to a booster at age 3.5, which I now know is waaaaay too early.

DD2 was rear facing in a Cosco Scenera (5 point harness) until a month ago (she was around 33 months) when she outgrew the rear facing requirements of the seat by height. She's now forward facing in the Scenera. When she outgrows the seat by height or weight, I'll get one of those 5 point harnessed seats with a high weight limit (Britax or Radian or whatever is out there).

To blebert -
The longer that you can keep a child rear facing, the better. And the longer you keep a child in a 5 point harness, the better. Those are two important facts that aren't made clear enough in my opinion. I've learned a lot about car seats from one child to the next. There are options out there for narrow seats that fit well in limited spaces, but still have high weight limits. The Sunshine Radian is narrow and has a high weight limit. I love the my DD2's Cosco Scenera, which is a typical convertible seat but it can last a while. It goes up to 35 lbs, 36 inches rear facing and to 40 lbs forward facing, but has high shoulder slots so a lightweight tall child could stay in the seat. And it is only around $40 at Target or Walmart. In addition to the web sites that all4fun mentioned, I have found a lot of good info at this message board about products that can fit your particular situation as well as car seat safety info (http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=13).

 

[Minniemouse07]

The longer that you can keep a child rear facing, the better. And the longer you keep a child in a 5 point harness, the better. Those are two important facts that aren't made clear enough in my opinion.

A great source of cited info can be found here. It has info about choosing seats, keeping kids rearfacing longer, using carseats on airplanes as well as photo galleries of older kids in seats, both forward and rear facing!

 

[NemoMOm]

DS is in a car seat for up to 80 lbs. So he has a loonng way to go. Then we'll switch to a booster. I sometimes wish I could have a booster. I'm so short that alot of seat belts hit my neck as they cross over.

 

[lclark0621]

My DS is 4, weighs 43 lbs & is 43.5 inches tall.

He is in a Britax Regent car seat (5 point harness). He will be in it as long as possible. (And I want to get him a Radian 80 for DH's car because it is slimer then the Regent but still goes to 80 lbs)

There are just to many horror stories of kids in accidents & getting injured or worse because they were in a booster to soon, or nothing at all.

And frankly those seat belts dont always work, just because a child is in a booster. I have seen to many memorials for kids whose seat belt failed even though their parents thought they were "safe" in their booster.

My son is happy, comfortable & safe in his car seat. He knows no other option of riding in a car & he really loves his seat.

When we travel we take his Britax Marathon which he still fits in for a little longer, or we will take his Radian 80 once we get it.

 

[jodifla]

[QUOTEIn FL no child has to be in anything other than a seat belt, after age 3. I cannot fathom putting a 3 year flat on a seat with a shoulder belt over him. I mean the belt must come across their face, not to mention the chance they will sit back and remain safe all the time, is laughable. FL has one of the worst car seat laws in the country.
]

Where I live in Florida, the cops and even TV, tell us that it is Florida State law that they have to be in a booster til they are 4ft 9in (or or somewhere around that height, I know it is between 4 1/2 Ft and 5 ft)[/QUOTE]

No, that's a marketing campaign.

This is the law:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/Safety/HighwaySafetyGrantProgram/hsgp/hsgpareas_occupantfaq.htm#Can a car

 

[SandrainNC]

Try a sunshine radian.

Thank you! I had that one on my list of possibilities!

Sandra

 

[all4fun]

Where I live in Florida, the cops and even TV, tell us that it is Florida State law that they have to be in a booster til they are 4ft 9in (or or somewhere around that height, I know it is between 4 1/2 Ft and 5 ft)

No, that's a marketing campaign.

This is the law:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/Safety/HighwaySafetyGrantProgram/hsgp/hsgpareas_occupantfaq.htm#Can a car

I wouldn't call it a "marketing" campaign. It's more like a public service campaign. It's sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Ad Council actually in conjunction with Disney.

Here's the website: http://www.adcouncil.org/default.aspx?id=41

Children prematurely moved to seat belts are 4 times more likely to suffer serious head injuries during a collision than children in child safety or booster seats. Safety belts are designed for adults, and children under 4'9" tall should ride with a booster seat.

The booster seat message is a crucial one, NHTSA estimates that up to 90% of children in the U.S. who should be using a booster seat are not. The goal of this campaign is to educate parents of children who have outgrown their child safety seat that a booster seat is a life-saving transition to an adult safety belt.

www.boosterseat.gov

hth