What is the safest/cheapest booster seat?

[WDWorBUST]

DD will be 4 on November 1st and has Britax Marathons at home. She still has a ways to go before she outgrows them. I was looking at the Regent - but DH complained that it was too big. (I will make him go try it out at Babies R Us still because it just seems safer as she grows). I'm not in a hurry per se to get a booster, HOWEVER, we are going to Disney mid-September and I do not want to lug a carseat to the airport. I won't use it on the plane because it puts her legs to close to the seat in front of her (it almost squooshes her). I don't feel comfortable checking it because I don't want to have to replace one of them. We were planning on using ME only. BUT.....I really don't like the idea of not having a car. We went ahead and reserved a mid-size SUV at a rate we can stand in case we decide to go ahead and get a rental. Now my problem is I would like to just pick up a "back-up" inexpensive readily available booster to use down there. But I am totally freaked by a booster to begin with (overprotective is not a negative adjective to me). I would love suggestions for a booster I could either 1.) Send DH after in Orlando once we're there....or 2.)order online to have shipped to the resort. Any suggestions or recommendations?? Oh she's about 41" tall and weighs 37 pounds.

Thanks!!

 

[alloyd1170]

I use the Graco Turbo Booster for ds (now 5). The back also disconnects from the base, and you can use the base alone (though not the safest). I know they just sell the base at Walmart and Babies R Us.

 

[Tikicampers]

DS is tiny, so we're a long way from boosters, but I can say that I have read that the backless boosters are not as safe, esp. when your child is on the lower end of the weight for the seat.

 

[tanyaandallie]

If you are renting a car, take her marathon. I have traveled with our marathons numerous times and it's never been a problem. We bought car seat bags and check the car seat with our luggage. Some prefer to take the car seat to the gate and check it there. I have never had a problem checking it, but it's whatever you are comfortable with. If you are too worried to check it with your luggage, drag it to the gate and gate check it. It really is not that much trouble.

4 years AND 40 lbs is the bare minimum for a booster. Most 4 year olds are still not mature enough to sit correctly in a booster. Your little one will not even be 4 so I would not take the chance.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Please don't think I'm arguing at all - because like most parents my DD's safety comes first regardless of the expense/inconvenience. But why is it they all say 38" tall and 30 pounds as the minimum? I found a Britax Parkway I was considering that was marked down because they no longer offer the color it comes in and it says 38" & 30 pounds too. I would probably ship it down ahead of time if I were to go that route....I'm just asking an honest question because some people won't look further for information. I was amazed when I visited with one of my good friends (a very intelligent woman) and she commented her baby was getting too big for the infant carrier but she couldn't get a new one until he could face forward at age one. I explained to her that there were convertible carseats that would go both rear-facing and forward facing. This baby is 6 months old and really needs a bigger seat. His head was almost to the top of the carrier. This is a smart woman who honestly just didn't know any better.....if something is labeled as safe a lot of people will just go with it for whatever reasons and I'm curious why boosters list the lower limits if they are not really safe at those limits? They don't mention age at all that I have found even.

 

[PJinNYC]

My SIL had the Compass Car seat. It is a full size booster which is nice because you get the extra protection of a full back and headrest. And for travelling, the seat can fold in half so it fits in a duffle bag for shipping through with luggage.

Got GREAT safety ratings too!

When my DD gets bigger, it is what I plan to use for her too.

 

[laughinplace199]

But why is it they all say 38" tall and 30 pounds as the minimum? I found a Britax Parkway I was considering that was marked down because they no longer offer the color it comes in and it says 38" & 30 pounds too.


.if something is labeled as safe a lot of people will just go with it for whatever reasons and I'm curious why boosters list the lower limits if they are not really safe at those limits? They don't mention age at all that I have found even.

My guess is that perhaps they list lower weight limits for older kids who are below 40 lbs, but this is just a guess. I had to move DS out of his Britax Roundabout at 4 1/2 yrs old because he got too tall for it. At that time, he was around 32 lbs. He was old enough and mature enough for a booster seat, so I got him the Parkway. DS is now 6 yrs old and is 39 lbs. He'll be in his Parkway for a long time.

 

[all4fun]

I also think that boosters start at lower weight for older kids that are slender but too tall for their regular car seats. My ds fits in this category, actually. He's 4-1/2, 90th % for height (and long torso'd), but only 30th for weight so well under 40lbs still. He's currently still riding in 5pt harness seats but getting close to outgrowing them by height.

Anyway, I have been thinking about this too because on our last trip we used DME and didn't rent a car so we never needed the car seat on the ground. We actually flew for the first time w/out the car seat and ds did well that way (He is also so tall it was getting to be too uncomfortable for him on the plane, especially since our flights are 6+hrs ea way total). Anyway, on our next trip we'll be there for about two weeks and will have a car part of the time. One thing I've been considering is getting a Ride Safer Travel Vest for him (if he's heavy enough - he's borderline now. They start at 35lbs). This could be thrown in a bag and carried on the plane or checked w/luggage and then we wouldn't have the worries of the airline damaging a car seat. One down side to the vest is it offers no side impact protection - not really an issue if you can put the child in the middle seating position. Here's a link to their website if you're interested. http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/
Personally for us, I know I don't feel comfortable with the idea of my ds in a booster seat yet especially since he's such a lightweight. Plus I know he won't stay seated in it properly 100% of the time at this point and I doubt that will change in a few months.

Just a thought.

 

[squirrel]

I installed many carseats while working at different daycare centres into the daycare vans. I did not care for the Graco one mentioned in a pp where the back comes off of the booster. I think that particular one may be good for children who are older than 4 and weigh more than 40 lbs-I wouldn't use it until my child was at least 45" and 50 lbs.

I prefered the ones that have the 5 pt harness that change over into a booster seat. I just feel that it is stronger and more stable in the vehicle even when using it as a booster.

My niece who is 40" tall and weighs 36-40 lbs (fluctuates due to some kind of digestive problem) has the Graco with removable back. I did warn my sister that I didn't like that kind for her as she is still so small.

 

[Girly_Qs]

One down side to the vest is it offers no side impact protection - not really an issue if you can put the child in the middle seating position.

I'm confused by that reasoning . . .. Yes, in a middle seat he's unlikely to be directly *hit* by something (door, etc), but that doesn't mean that his body won't be left to absorb the side-directional impact . . ..

ETA: Wanted to clarify tone here (online can be so tough) - I don't mean to be confrontation with my comment at all, just to point out my perception.

That said, I'm a car seat 'freak' - my very tall, somewhat thin 4.5yo is in a Regent and we LOVE it. She'll be there for a loooong while (and dd#2 won't be 'kicking her out of it' for a while since she's still rf in her Marathon!).

 

[WDWorBUST]

I had never seen or heard of the vest you referenced. I don't see where they are approved by - who is it that certifies carseats again?

Our marathons are great - but even having bought a GoGo Kidz it really is a pain in the butt to get through the airport - and we don't have direct flights available to us so we always have to deal with a connection. And if anyone has been able to get a marathon with the GoGo Kidz attached through security scanners I'd love to know how. At this point I'm thinking we may ditch the rental and just use Disney transportation - I just hate not having a car available should we need it for something - I can't imagine anything worse than waiting on a cab if I need to take DD to the doctor or something - even if it was only a minute.

I am not ready to move her to a booster full-time - I just thought it might be an option for the short car rides we might take on Disney property. Her and I will ride ME from the airport to the resort so we would only use the rental for quick runs - but if we had an accident on one of those quick runs and she was injured because she was in a booster and not her regular seat I would have a hard time getting past that. So....I guess even for travel we'll just wait.

Thanks for the input. I really wasn't trying to argue by any means - it was just an honest question.

Thanks Again!
Amanda

 

[all4fun]

I had never seen or heard of the vest you referenced. I don't see where they are approved by - who is it that certifies carseats again?

Thanks Again!
Amanda

This is from their site on the main page:
- Meets or exceeds applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. (FMVSS 213)
This is the same set of NHTSA standards car seats have to pass. It is recommended product by cpst's (car safety techs). Yes it looks a little "weird" but it's totally safe (as far as preventing seatbelt injuries the way a 5pt harness would do).

I'm confused by that reasoning . . .. Yes, in a middle seat he's unlikely to be directly *hit* by something (door, etc), but that doesn't mean that his body won't be left to absorb the side-directional impact . . ..

this is also from their site

- Innovative energy absorbing components & the vest design distribute crash force over wide area of the body and decrease HIC(Head Injury Criteria).

So if the vest absorbs the energy like a car seat harness would, then I'm not sure what the concern is. I was just pointing out that in an outboard seating position there would be nothing between the head and the side of the car, so in a side impact there is more of a risk of head injury than if the child was sitting in the middle where there's more of a buffer zone between the child and the vehicle sides.

ETA: another option to consider might be the Safeguard Go which is a 5pt harness to 60lbs and then converts to a backless booster. Here's a link to their site: http://www.safeguardseat.com/go/index.htm It's on the spendy side but its ideal for travel since it's lightweight and folds (not airline approved so you'd have to check it). The Top harness slots are about the same height as the Marathons.

If you want to go the booster route, the Graco Turbo Booster comes apart which would probably make it easier to pack, or the Compass B510 (the tallest of the Compass boosters) folds for travel. Both of these are recommended frequently on the car seat forums.

 

[thepeach80]

I think this would be the perfect use of the Safeguard GO. I don't generally reccomend it for an everyday seat b/c it does take a few mins to install and for everyday use some parents just won't bother, but for travel it's great. It's small enough and has a carry bag you could actually take it as a carryon and not have to check or ship it. Here it is all folded up.

You can kind of see my 4yo next to it for reference. It harnesses to 60# and then becomes a backless booster later. You do need a top tether to use it, but all rental cars now should be newer than 01 so that shouldn't be a problem.

BTW: We are taking all the kids' seats to FL b/c we will have a rental car and I can't imagine AJ using a booster yet. He turned 4 in May and is 40#, but he's just not ready.

 

[piraterose]

But why is it they all say 38" tall and 30 pounds as the minimum?

I could be wrong, but I'm going to guess that the poster was going by her state's standards (not the seat standards). In some states, the law is that a child must be 4-yo and 40 lbs. before they legally can be seen in a booster seat.

Other states vary. Florida (where I live) is one of the states with the lowest standards.

"All children 5 years of age or younger must be properly restrained no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used. (FL Statute 316.613)."

There are no weight limitations in Florida for a booster seat. (I don't necessarily agree with the law - but that is what it is.) Basically in florida if the child is 4-yo he/she can just ride with a seatbelt.

Boosters seats at built to meet the lowest state standards - the Graco one I have is 30 to 100 pounds (age three to ten.)

HTH!

 

[WantToGoNow]

Most states require children to be restrained by harness until atleast 40 lbs.

 

[thepeach80]

Most states require children to be restrained by harness until atleast 40 lbs.

I would have to disagree. Most states generally only give an age, some a weight, but rarely do states mandate a specific restraint to a certain age, just a general restraint used to the manufacturer's requirements.

But why is it they all say 38" tall and 30 pounds as the minimum?

B/c that's exactly what it is, the min in most cases. Just b/c it says it on the box, doesn't mean it's safe. The min is to turn your child at age 1 and 20#, that doesn't mean it's safe to do. Carseat companies are out to make $, while caring about children plays into it some, making $ is the bottom line of any industry IMO.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Well it's sad - you would think that the manufacturers we put our children's safety in their hands would be a little more clear.

 

[wahoostampingirl]

My dd6 only weighs 38lbs, so we still have her in a 5 pt. harness seat at home. However, we do have a Graco Turbo seat for her that we take on trips. I feel like it is safe enough for the short trips that we take around WDW.

 

[tiggger1]

We just put my dd in a booster this week. She is 42 inches and 40 pounds. She is too tall and heavy for the carseats that we have, they both only go 38 inch/40 pounds, so once they hit that height they change to booster seat..

her ped ok'd it...

 

[GatorGal]

Britax has a new booster, called the Monarch. It's got side impact protection like the parkway but is much better IMHO. The back can be removed (but there goes the side impact protection) and that would work for your travel plans. Later when she outgrows her harnessed seat, you'll have the booster already. It's not cheap, $150.