convertible carseat question for toddler?

Question

I have a 33 month old daughter who is in a front facing carseat in the harness. the harness weight limit is 40 lb and the height is 40 inches. My daughter is 45 lb and 38.5 inches. Can I switch her to the booster with seatbelt or do I have to find a seat with a higher weight limit with a harness? Even if she is physically able to go in a booster with belt, is she too young? (ie. she may take the belt off, slouch down etc.)
thanks

Answer 1

She's too young. To be in a booster she needs to be able to sit up straight and properly for the entire trip every single time she's in the car - even if she's angry and throwing a temper tantrum or really tired or sleeping or wants a toy that's just out of reach. I have yet to meet a two or three year old who can do these things. It's hard enough just to keep them from unbuckling the belt (seatbelts are mutch easier to unbuckle than carseats), much less sit properly!

A child should be at least four before going into a booster seat. It depends on the maturity of the individual child though, and with many it would be better to wait until five or even six.

Since she's over the weight limit, you do need to find another harnessed seat fast.

Possible seats:
- The Britax Regent is a good seat with the highest weight limit and harness straps, but it's hard to find at the moment as it has recently become quite popular and sold out most places.
- The Cosco Apex is another higher weight seat that turns into a booster at sixty-five pounds and would probably be great for you so long as you have headrests in your car - it can't be used without seatback or headrest behind it all the way up to he top. - There is also the Sunshine Kids Radian, though the Regent or the Apex are probably better seats.
- And finally there are a number of higher weight convertibles such as the Britax Marathon or a Fisher Price one (I can't remember the name at the moment), but you don't really need a seat that can rearface, so they don't make as much sense as the Regent or Apex in your situation.

In regards to some of the above advice, asking BRU employees about carseats is generally not a great idea as they are trained in store duties rather than child safety and tend to give out a lot of horrible advice based on their own personal opinions. Some police officers and firemen are no better - most of them are not trained in child safety and know little more than the average parent. Asking a certified passenger safety technician (anyone at a carseat event should be one, and some police officers and other safety officials are) is a fantastic idea though.

Answer 2

Hmmm I don't think there is any legal requirement accept weight when it comes to switching to a booser. However a 5 point harness is by far the safest. And even if the seatbelt fails the tether will keep the seat and your child in place. Unlike in a booster seat.

So far as I know the Britax Marathon is the only front facing seat that goes to 65 lbs. But it is very expensive.

Edited to add:
Britax Regent apparently goes to 80lbs

Answer 3

If you don't think that she will sit right in the booster seat then maybe you should try to find a car seat with a higher weight limit I am sure there are some out there. My son is 3 and I don't think he is even close to being ready for a booster seat. you can always call her doctor and ask. good luck.

Answer 4

I dont think she is too young if you can get a high enough booster seat. Especially if you have a car with flat seats and adjustable height seat belts. I drive a small coupe sports car and there is plenty of room for my 4 year old in there but I found that when I attemped a booster in my car the seat belt fit her quite uncomfortably so I switched back to a car seat with a back on it, and a small adjustment arm to allow the seatbelt to run across her chest in the right area.

Answer 5

No, you cannot put her in a booster. A child has to be at least 4-feet, nine-inches tall and be age four to go into a booster seat. You have to keep her in a car seat. If you need help finding one that is larger, you might want to talk to your health and human services department with the county. They have a lot of great information.

Answer 6

Amazon has Britax Roundabout 55 Convertible Car Seat for 149.99. Not the Marathon, but still a solid carseat. To be honest, I wouldn't trust anything cheaper than a Graco Nautilus. As for the unbuckling, rethread the straps so that the button is on the inside (facing her NOT facing out like normal) You will be able to get to the button, but she won't be able to get to it (hopefully)

Answer 7

Actually my seat says that at 36 inches and 30 llbs, and at age three.. if all those are met, take the straps off and use as a booster seat... if you go look at different seats they say different things.. I am sure it will be fine, safe, and legal for you to switch it.... my seat has a back, and arm rests, and and an adjustable seat belt guide... you at least need to change seats for her safety, as her being to big for that seat can be dangerous in a car crash...

Answer 8

I think she is too young for a regular booster seat with a seatbelt. My daughter's booster seat came with a five-point harness, for use when she was too young, then when she got older, the straps detatched and it was a regular booster seat. So you're not buying two seats.

Answer 9

I think that I would wait another year. She is still a little young. Its always better safe than sorry.

I waited till my daughter was 4 and will do the same for my son.

Answer 10

Go to Babies R' Us they have people there that are great for answering those kind of questions. Also there are inspection sites that can tell you what is best for your child by age and height.