What is the best carseat for a 3 year old who weighs 32 pounds? Is a child's age or weight the most important?

Question

I am looking into buying my 3 year old a new boost car seat. Most I have seen is for 30lbs and over but the age says 4 and over. He weighs 32 pounds probably more by now because that was 3 weeks ago. Does anyone have any suggestions? He has a convertible car seat, EVenflo Tribute that has a 5 point harness but he just doesnt like it...he feels smothered in it. What is the best type of car seat to get him for his age?? ANy suggestions?? Thanks in adavnce!

I meant though, I was looking for a booster carseat that uses the 5 poiunt harness for a while... he likes the harness but its just too snug for him...

Answer 1

Check what your state requirements are for child safety seats, but most require a child to be either 4 years of age or 40 pounds to be moved from a car seat to a booster seat. Many states now require a booster seat for children between 4 years/40 pounds and 8 years/80 pounds.

Answer 2

It not weight over age its weight AND height over age.

Your child is only 3 and SHOULD not be in a booster seat yet! Its best and safest to keep your child in a 5pt harness as long as possible.

watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

Try purcahsing a carseat thats bigger for your son so he doesnt feel so confined like a Britax Regent, Radian80 or an Safety1st/Cosco Apex 65 they keep your son in a 5pt harness from 65-80 pounds. They also offer some sort of side impact protection.

Yes in the video the womans Car belts where faluty but had she had the Regents or any of those seats they would have been teethered down and with the Latch so that offers more security than just the belts.

I have a 5 y.o (45 pounds) that is curently in the apex 65 awaiting for her 3y.o (37) brother to outgrow his Britax Marathon so I can purchase the Regent and do a switch of seats

Also there is no BEST carseat
they all meet the standard for safety so basically its whether or not they create a snug fit in your car
If its easy for YOU to use
If its easy for YOU to install
If your child fits in Properly
Has the fetures YOU need/want (mine were side impact protection and 5pt harness past 40 pounds)


::::::::::::EDIT::::::::::::::::

Please not that the booster seat posted which is eddie baur is a booster seat with a 5pt harness HOWEVER its a carseat up to 40 pounds after your child reaches 40 pounds the 5pt harness is to be removed and then used as a booster with a shoulder/lapbelt.

Boosters are car seats that are used with a lap and shoulder belt ALWAYS. So if you see BOOSTER but see 5pt harness straps read the fine print TRUST me I did my reaserch they always say 5pt harness up to 40 pounds the only one that offers 65pounds harnessed is the Britax Maratho and Apex 65 theonly ones that are affordable and offer up to 80 pounds 5pt harness are the Radian80 and the Britax Regent. The Apex 65 is 5pt harness up to 65 and then the arness is to be removed and used with a shoulder lap belt from 65-100 pounds PLEASE read the fine print and do your reaserch its your babies life

Answer 3

Who cares if he likes it? The point is not for it to be enjoyable, it is to keep him alive. The five-point harness is your safest bet. I think he probably could be in a booster though depending possibly more on height, is he tall enough that the seat belt won't choke him? I suggest you talk to your pediatrician or go online to consumer reports.com you can retrieve some info without subscription, Just click on babies & kids, then click child car & booster seats, there is a highlighted section with a link for "How To Choose" click it and scroll down to toddler and preschool booster seats! Check out the stats to see which catagory your child falls under specifically! Seriously though, my lil guy has never been too fond of the whole car seat game, but then again our job is to keep our angels safe, wether they like it or not right? I do feel your pain though, it is draining when a hard headed toddler doesn't want to cooperate. He should be somewhat able to understand reason though, something like...You're my sweetheart and WE need this to make sure you stay safe! One last thing, I'm not suggesting that you don't, But Do you wear your safety belt? Just a thought!



P.S. I just watched the link given by Kitty Lover...cried my eyes out, MAKE SURE YOU WATCH IT! Bring a box of tissues with you too!

Answer 4

Weight is more important. He is still too little for a booster seat. You should keep him in a 5-point harness as long as you can. I have a child of similar age and weight and we are going to buy a Britax Marathon. We have the Roundabout but we're having a baby who is going to get that one. Britax carseats are more comfortable than the others and kids tend to like them better.

Answer 5

When my son turned 3 I asked the same question to my pediatrician. (He weighs 34 lbs.) She said to keep him in his car seat until the age of 4 if possible. The car seat is much safer for a 3 year old than a booster. She said the only reason you should put a 3 year old in a booster is if they start unbuckling it.

Here is a booster with a 5 point harness.

Answer 6

It's weight more than age. Make sure he fits nicely in it, bring him to the store with you, let him sit in some and have him help you pick one out. A three year old will give you less struggle getting into the car everyday if HE himself helped pick it out, and likes it. I don't know if the carseat laws have changed where you live, but I know in Connecticut (Where I am) they changed a lot.. so take that into consideration too. If you're still at a loss... ask a sales associate for help. If they know what they're doing they'll be able to tell you off-hand. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Booster Seats (Between 40 and 80 Pounds)
When your child reaches the maximum weight allowed for the car seat or your child's ears have reached the top of the car seat, you'll need to switch to a booster seat. Booster seats are designed for children who have outgrown convertible safety seats but are still too small to be properly restrained by the vehicle's seat belts. Many states have passed laws requiring booster seats for children up to 8 years old and 80 pounds (37 kilograms), or 4 feet 9 inches (about 150 centimeters) tall.

Booster seats come in many styles. Belt-positioning boosters raise your child to a height where he or she can safely use the car's lap and shoulder belts. They come in high-back or backless models: High-back boosters are recommended when the car has low seat backs, and backless boosters may be used if the child's head is supported up to the top of his or her ears by the vehicle's back seat or head support.

Combination seats contain built-in harnesses that may be used up to 40 pounds (19 kilograms), but must be removed when the child weighs between 40 and 80 to 100 pounds (19 and 37 to 46 kilograms), depending on the seat.

Shield boosters (with no back and a shield tray in front of the child) are designed for cars with lap-only belts, but they do not provide adequate upper body protection for your child. If your car doesn't have shoulder belts in the back seat, consider having shoulder belts installed by the dealer. If that's not possible, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping any child who is older than 1 year and between 20 and 40 pounds (10 and 19 kilograms) in a convertible or forward-facing seat. Children who weigh more than 40 pounds (19 kilograms) should never use shield boosters unless the shield is removed and the seat is used as a belt-positioning seat with the vehicle's lap and shoulder belts.

How to install a booster seat:
Booster seats should be placed forward-facing in the back seat, ideally in the middle of the back seat where there is a lap and shoulder belt.
Read the owner's manual for your car to find out how to use your car's seat belts with a child safety seat.
Read the entire booster seat manual.
Be sure to check the tightness of the safety seat before each use.
How to secure your child's seat belt:
Read the entire booster seat manual.
Make sure the lap belt is low and tight across your child's hips.
The shoulder belt should lay flat and snug across your child's shoulder and stay clear of his or her neck or face.
Shoulder and lap belts should always lie flat, never twisted.
Children this age can begin to understand the importance of buckling up and may want to buckle themselves in. Be sure to check their seat belts and offer praise when they voluntarily put on their belts.

When Is It Safe for My Child to Use the Seat Belt Without a Booster?
A child may stop using a booster seat when the child is big enough to use the vehicle's lap and shoulder belts while sitting with his or her back against the vehicle's seat back and his or her knees bent over the edge of the seat without slouching. The lap belt should rest low, on top of the thighs, and the shoulder belt should lie comfortably across the middle of the chest.

The child should be able to remain in this position throughout the entire trip. This usually happens when the child reaches a height of 4 feet 9 inches (about 150 centimeters).

Remember, the shoulder strap of the seat belt should never be fastened behind your child's back or under his or her arm. And you should never buckle two children (or an adult and a child) under one seat belt - a crash could cause their heads to collide.

Answer 8

go with a seat that says 30lbs and over most of these use the seat belt my son is almost 4 and rides in one and he weighs 35lbs

Answer 9

the weight is more important than the age- if your son is 32lbs and hold himself up in a sitting position it is safe to put him in a bigger boost sit. He will be more comfortable and probably safer in a seat that he fits in better.

Answer 10

The weight is hte most important thing.