My daughter is getting old enough and weighs enough to get a booster now. I have been looking around and I really need some advice. I want something with a cushion (not so thin) and I was looking at the Evenflo big Kid deluxe booster, but I am not sure. She weighs 38 lbs. and is 3 feet tall. Any suggestions? I have bought Graco Infant carseats and Cosco toddler carseats so I am not familiar with Evenflo at all with carseats. Thanks for any info.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 07:03 am:

How old is your DD? Most kids aren't mature enough or big enough to sit properly in a belt positioning booster until 4 yrs. and 40 lbs.. Is she wiggly? Will she sit still and in place for the entire trip? Does she still sleep a lot in the car? While shopping for boosters be sure to check the weight and height limits. Some start at 30 lbs. but many require a child to be at least 40 lbs.. Booster seats REQUIRE both a lap and shoulder belt. (I had to add that because I see many parents using boosters with a lap belt only, which is VERY dangerous!)

There are many nice boosters on the market to choose from. Evenflo Big Kid, Graco Turbo Booster and the Britax Star Riser Comfy come to mind. Both my kids are in a Britax Bodyguard, but it starts at 40 lbs. and 43". I prefer boosters that have an open shoulder belt guide. They generally fit better and allow the belt to move and function freely. If your child sleeps in the car look for a booster with good head/sleep support.

I could go on and on but I need to wake my kids for school. I'll check back later, and would be happy to help with any further questions.

Trina
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician


To find a CPS Tech in your area:
SeatCheck.org

SafeKids.org
(In the "CPS Certification" section)

By Melanie on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 11:47 am:

Looking at your profile, it appears as though your daughter just turned three. Is that correct? If so, I would definitely keep her in a carseat longer. I have a 3.5 year old who weighs 47 pounds. She rides in a Britax Marathon because I know that even though she is big enough for a booster, she is definitely not ready to sit still. I will keep her in the five point carseat as long as possible. Good luck!

By Trina~moderator on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 11:59 am:

Melanie brought up a good point. (I was in a hurry this morning. LOL!) My DD (6.5) just transitioned to a booster a few months ago. She just hit 40 lbs., and is a busy girl so I didn't feel comfortable with her in a booster until recently. When you transition from a 5 pt. harness to a booster seat, which uses the 3 pt. vehicle seat belt, you give up a little crash protection.

The Britax Marathon and Wizard both harness to 65 lbs.. They are designed for kids who have outgrown traditional harnessed car seats by weight (40 lbs.) or height but are too young or immature to sit properly in a booster. The Britax Husky harnesses to 80 lbs.. Supposedly another manufacturer is coming out with a seat that harnesses past 40 lbs. soon. My last CPS Tech report mentioned it but didn't give many details.

By Debbie on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 01:19 pm:

My ds was a big boy. He was 40 lbs at 3.However, he was definitely not ready for a booster seat!!!! I, like Melanie, had him in a Britax Marathon until just recently. He is 4-1/2 now, and just within the last month we moved him to a booster seat. We have the Graco Turbo Booster for both my boys. They seem to like it.

By Cat on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 02:02 pm:

I have a kindergarten daycare girl who's 5 1/2 and about 30lbs soaking wet. She's still in a five point. It's be nice if I can just use the booster, and I know she could handle just the seatbelt with it, but there are still some days she weighs in at 28 or 29lbs. I'm waiting until she's over 30 consistantly. Might be a while! lol

By Amecmom on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 06:22 pm:

My son will be three at the end of December. He does well in his booster. We got him a Britax Starriser Comfy. He loves it. He's not much of a wiggler, and the Britax has a headrest for those times when he falls asleep.
Ame

By My2cuties on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 09:26 pm:

I've been out all day, sorry I haven't got back to this post. Anyway..

Thank you Trina, the reason I asked is because my dd's pediatician told me that they had a safety guy come and inspect all of their childrens carseat, and the belt part on the car seat only goes up to 40 lbs. (which is only 2 lbs. more than my dd) I was not aware that there were carseats that had the seat belt part to go up more than that. I do not "want" to get her out of her seat because I don't think it would be as safe. She is not wiggly but she tries to get out of her seat, going down the road, to get her toys in the seat next to her (which is why I am getting my girls a organizer this week, but that is besides the point). I believ that she would sit very well in a booster, I just don't feel comfortable about her safety in one.

I will look into the Britax you are talking about, although I heard they are quite expensive I will check them out myself, noone can put a price on their childrens life. Anyway, thank you for the information, I think it is time for a new carseat anyway, she has had hers since she was 4 months old (Alpha Omega).

By Trina~moderator on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 10:06 pm:

My2Cuties, yes, the Britax Marathon is expensive but one of the very few seats currently on the market that harnesses past 40 lbs.. I've seen it at BabiesRUs for $250, but you can order it online for much cheaper ($215) at BabyAge.com.

By My2cuties on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 10:51 pm:

Trina, please help to to understand something.. (I have been looking online at carseats since I got home.) *I'm tired*...

If my dd gains 2 more pounds then she will not be held in by the harness, so I should definately buy another carseat for her, right? If I get her a carseat now and she is only 38 inches tall, then I don't have alot of options, for carseats, do I (other than just getting her a booster)?

With her being 3 and 38 lbs. I could get many boosters that she would "qualify" for because of her age and weight and height. I guess I am just questioning whether or not she would be safe or not, because other than the Britax there is no other option. She is a very mature 3 year old, reading books, and singing along with music entertains her just fine, so I don't worry about her getting "out of the carseat", I just worry about the safety. Which is the safest booster, since my choices are slim on the weight limit on the harness? Thanks, and sorry I am bugging you, I am just curious and i want to do the right thing.

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 07:13 am:

Candis, bottom line, it's your parental decision. As a CPS Tech I have to tell you what's considered "best practice". Kids are safest in a 5 pt. harness for as long as possible. The general recommendation is until at least 4 yrs. and 40 lbs.. However, as long as your child meets the height and weight requirements of a particular booster AND you think she's mature enough to sit properly in it, it's acceptable. YOUR decision.

Yes, once your DD reaches 40 lbs. OR her shoulders are above the top harness slots (whichever comes first), she has outgrown her current car seat. It may be a long while yet before she gains those two lbs. and hits 40. If you decide to go the booster route when she does outgrow her current seat I would recommend the Britax Star Riser Comfy. It has an adjustable base, that in it's skinniest setting will fit a child like your DD better. My 6 yr. old DD is 40 lbs. and 43" tall. She's a peanut and fits well in the Britax Star Riser Comfy and the Bodyguard. However, I tried her in our Graco Turbo booster recently and didn't like how wide the base was on her. The seat belt didn't fit as well as I would like. Great booster for normal sized kids who aren't tiny, but I wasn't comfortable with my DD in it. The Britax boosters also have nice head wings that not only offer side impact protection but good sleep support as well.


Britax Star Riser Comfy


Britax Bodyguard


OK, I've rattled on and I really need to get my kids up and off to school.

By My2cuties on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 09:48 am:

Thanks alot for your help.