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Moms View Message Board: Parenting Discussion: Archive January-June 2005: Trina--Booster Seat
Trina, what would you recommend for a 33 pound, 42 inch, 4.5 year old? I have two leftover seats from my older daughter, and one I really like (Fisher Price Safe Embrace high back booster with the heavy duty 'ribbon' type shoulder placement, as opposed to the molded plastic grooves that the belts get stuck in) and one I don't like (Cosco something with the molded plastic placements). She's somewhat tiny and will be in it for four or five years at this point so I was thinking the Jupiter. I think it's more attractive than the Britax Star Riser, and I think it's cheaper, is it? Anyway, what do you think?
Kate, since she's so tiny I would recommend a 5 pt. harnessed car seat. I kept my own DD in a harnessed car seat until she finally hit 40 lbs. at age 6. If my memory serves me correctly your DD was in a Fisher Price Safe Embrace convertible, right? At 33 lbs. she hasn't outgrown it by weight but she may be too tall for it now. Have you considered a combination car seat? They typically have higher harness slots, a taller shell, harness to 40 lbs. and then transition to a booster seat.
Thanks, Trina! Yes, she was/is in the FP Safe Embrace Convertible, and yes the slots are getting too low for her. But mainly she got a taste of a booster when riding in Daddy's car and she loooves it. I have to admit, WE like them, too, as they are soooo much easier with NY's ever changing weather and ever changing coat wardrobe. They're also so much nicer for moving in and out of cars. Do any of the boosters you mentioned detach into no back boosters? I didn't realize the Graco or the Evenflo would get high marks. I know those are cheaper!
I have a 4 year old 36 pound 41 inch 4 year old and we have the Graco Turbo booster and he does well with it and I love it! In fact we've bought three of them in the past month and a half when we decided to switch... One for daddy's truck, mommy's car, and grandma's suv, it fits fine in all three vehicles. The back does come off for a no back booster later on and the height even extends to "grow" with them.
The Star Riser Comfy, Graco Turbo Booster and I *think* the Evenflo Big Kid convert to backless boosters but they often have higher weight requirements. For example, the Graco Turbo Booster requires a child to be at least 40 lbs. before it can be used backless. FWIW, I have two backless Graco boosters we use as spares but I don't like DD (almost 7, 40 lbs., 45" tall) to use them. She's a peanut and I'm not comfortable with how the seat belt fits her. In fact SHE doesn't like it either. LOL! The first time I tried her in it she said, "Mom, I don't like how I fit in this booster. It's too big for me!" I agreed.
The Parkway looks nice...are those RETRACTABLE cup holders? I can't tell if the Jupiter has retractable cup holders or not. It looks possible. In fact, the Parkway and Jupiter look very similar. Based on pics those are my top choices. Should I buy online or in a store?
What is a Parkway Express?
Yes, the Parkway has retractable cup holders, however, they aren't very deep and probably won't do a good job at holding a cup. LOL! Otherwise, it's an awesome booster with side impact protection and good sleep support because of the big head wings. I have one on backorder for DS. (The granite cover we want is in high demand.)
I found a review on the Jupiter. Sounds pretty good.
Is the Express version cheaper? What exactly are those colors? Silver and navy? Does Syd like the Parkway? Does she feel like a horse with blinders? Is the Parkway as bad as the Wizard in terms of side wings?
Trina, on the pic of the Parkway you posted, what are those two red things on the side where the lap belt goes? They look like seat belt receivers....
No, the Express version isn't cheaper. It's $99 at BabiesRUs. The base is a plush black. The rest is gray with yellow piping. When I first saw a pic of it I thought, "Yuck," but was impressed when I saw it IRL. Yes, the red things simply show where the lap belt should be placed. Eve said Sydney likes it. My kids are in Britax Bodyguards, which have similar head wings, and they have never complained. In fact, they like them for sleeping.
Thank you for all your help. Today I went to my baby specialty store to check out the Parkway vs. the Komfort Kruiser. To my extreme dismay, they no longer carry the KK as the export cost from Canada is too high. They had it six months ago!! Anyway, she tried the Parkway, the Star Riser, and the Turbo Booster. She didn't like any of them and wanted her 'new to her' green and blue booster (the dreaded Cosco one with the molded plastic grooves for the belt). I didn't care for the Parkway, myself, as I couldn't imagine her wearing a hat or hood inside those wings which are soooo close together. A friend had told me the Turbo Booster came in purple (the ONLY worthwhile color in my DD's opinion) so off we went (to her dismay) to Toys R Us and they did indeed have the 'Veronica' pattern Turbo Booster. Sadly, it is mostly GRAY with lilac trim. But she liked it well enough to give up the bad Cosco one AND (best part!!!) it was $49.99 and you got $15.00 off any seat over $50.00. My cashier was kind enough to give me the discount!! So it cost $34.99. How could I pass that up?? Only problem is the SKIMPY padding. Fortunately, we don't drive long distance anywhere. The Turbo Booster DOES have a nice deluxe version with thick memory foam, but it is in an ugly black color so no dice. If you know anyone wanting a Parkway Express, they're $15.00 off!
Sounds like you got a great deal!
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