Car Seat to a Booster? - Shawnee,KS

He needs to be in a 5 point harness still. There is a reason for both the age and the size restrictions. Get him one he will fit in. I have no idea why you would need 3 for one child he can only ride in one at a time, just move the carseat with the child, that's what almost everyone I know has done, since we couldn't afford multiple ones.

I would go with the booster. Safety is important but so is the comfort of the passenger... my kids are at 50 lbs and one isn't quite 4 but she's ridden short distances in a booster without any problem.

I too had BIG kids, they had outgrown their convertable seats between 2 and three, but I found a decent highback booster w/ a 5-pt harness. It was a Graco or Cosco from WalMart. It was having the best of both, it was safer than a belt positioner and still big enough to be comfy. It was a reasonable price too somewhere around $45 (that was almost 4 years ago, though) I have a pretty good feeling I will be in the market again soon with my youngest. Good Luck!

Please, Please, Please Do NOT put him in a booster!!!
While looking for videos about boosters I found an 'In Memory of...' video on you tube about a 3 year old girl who was in a booster. Her parents mini van was rear ended by a semi & she was killed. He parents found out after her death that boosters are not safe for children under 5 years old.
I do understand where you are comming from. My youngest boy is about 37" tall & 34 lb., but he has a long torso & was on the top slot of his carseat. I searched for a carseat that was not insanely expensive, but he could stay in a 5 point as long a possible. I found the Graco Nautilus 3 in 1 carseat. The belts go to 65 lbs. & my son is only on the second slot!!! It was $150 at Wal-Mart! Please check this seat out before putting him in a booster. You can try it out at Wal-Mart or Target (they are a little more expensive at Target) & you can check it out at www.gracobaby.com.

God Bless!
K.

i, too, would go with at least one expensive carseat, for bigger kids. check ebay or craigslist, maybe you can get one cheaper. as long as it hasn't been in a crash it's okay to use. or just buy one expensive one and pass it around. safety really isn't an option and as a peds nurse i see a lot of kids with horrible injuries because of compression injuries from seat belt problems. i really can't emphasize enough on getting a properly fitted carseat. check with WIC or somewhere, a lot of times DFS will give them out.

he is absolutely to young to be in a booster his upper part of body isn't strong enough to hold him and in the event of a car crash he can be severly damaged.I have a big son as well and always has been he is 5 now and we didn't switch to a bootster till he was 4 and oked it with the car seat safety check lane he is much to tall for a car seat with removeable straps in place of the builtin carseat belts his head is over the recommened height.I however don't like the booster seat I feel it is still unsafe for his age but they don't make any other carseat that is good for his heght.I would keep him in the carseat you have and make sure that the straps are all correct and at the heights point have him sit directly sitting up no slouching and adjust the seatbelt to him this may help the straps may be to tight and not fitting correctly and you can also go to a carseat safety check lane and make sure it is the correct carseat if it can been switced out to use the builtin carseatbelts for his age since he is meeting the weight and height requirements but not age.If this doesn't happen in your area call the pediatrican and see if they can recommend you to go somewhere it may be the firestation or the higway patrol office

This is from the DMV website- http://www.dmv.org/mo-missouri/safety-laws.php.

* A child less than four years old or weighing under 40 pounds must be secured in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for the child.

* A child over four years of age, but less than eight years of age, who also weighs between 40 and 80 pounds and is under 4'9" tall, must be secured in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat appropriate for that child.

* Children at least 80 pounds, or children more than 4'9" tall, are required to be secured by an appropriate vehicle safety belt or booster seat.

I think 2 1/2 is way too young to be in just a basic booster seat. The safety requirements are not there just to avoid them 'escaping' from their carseat. The carseats are designed for each age/weight to avoid serious injury in an accident. The 5 pt harness seats are designed to prevent small children from falling out of their seats in a high impact collision and they basically cover the child in seatbelts. The boosters don't do that- they only give them a little height on the seats and one seatbelt. The fines are pretty steep and Child Protective Services is required to visit your home, if you are caught using carseats that do not comply with the state requirements. (my friend could tell you all about it! $1500 fine and CPS came to her home 3 or 4 times in a year! All that because she got pulled over for having a headlight out!)

2 1/2 seems too young for just a booster seat. I waited until at least 3 1/2-4 to move my kiddos into the booster. Could you just purchase 1 of the bigger seats for the car that he is in the most and keep him in the smaller seats in the other cars. I've seen car seats on Craigslist many times-as long as you check the recall information and whether or not it's been in an accident, it should be fine. Money is always tight in my house, I remember having to go out and buy 2 new carseats at the same time (250 a piece) but we always put safety first-no matter what it cost to keep my kids safe-we just cut out things everywhere else. For that, we actually cut out our cable and all eating out for 3 months.

They are supposed to be in a 5 point harness until they are 4yrs old!! Iv seen bigger carseats for about $50. Its not just his weight that determines it, he is too young to be in a booster. Its not safe. And older woman will tell you they didnt have seat belts in their cars, Well times have changed and studies show whats safe for your kids. Sometimes what is convient for you doesnt keep your kids safe!

OK I am late responding, I am a National child passenger safety Instructor and he is way to young to put in a booster seat. We have to let parents know that sometimes the pediatricians are incorrect in their carseat information. If you need a cheaper 5 point seat goto walmart or target and get the Graco Nautilus, it is new and goes to 65 pounds with the 5 point harness and then switches to a booster. The cost is 159.00. Cant put a price on your childs life! I would invite you if you are still wanting to switch him to a booster, visit the Kyle miller foundations website and watch the videos. Maybe that will help with your decision! Thanks! A.

Contact your local Fire Dept. some provide appropriate car seats for free. I run an in home care and one of my mom's just couldn't afford the next size up. I called my local fire dept. explained the situation, they took all my home info. and later that day they came by house with a brand new carseat, plus coloringbooks for all the children I watch.

You need to get a bigger car seat. If he's reached the limit for that seat, he needs a new one. I'm sorry to say it, but you should opt for one of the more expensive models that are 5 point-harnesses for up to 65-80 lbs. I would not put him in a booster this young.

The concerns you listed about (getting out of the seat & slumping while sleeping) are not the only concerns. The main concern is safety. Children that young are very vulnerable, their neck muscles (and other body parts) aren't as strong and could get severe whiplash if he was in an accident in a booster. He needs the support and protection of a car seat.

In my opinion safety comes first, even if it means shelling out more money. Better safe than sorry.

These aren't just guidelines to follow, but actual laws. And for a very good reason, they save lives.

I've seen the "we did this in our day, and we turned out just fine!" argument... what about the ones who didn't make it??? That's why we have better laws now, to protect kids in car accidents.

When my son was 3 he outgrew his car seat. Like your son he got too tall for the straps (they were below his shoulders). We moved him to a high backed booster and he has done fine in it. I plan to keep my daughter in her car seat as long as she'll fit, and I think she'll be able to make it until she's four, but I figured it was safer to have them in the booster they fit in than the car seat they don't.

I think you go w/ your gut. You should be safe as long as the lap belt & shoulder strap fit him properly.

I also have a big boy and am also looking for a new seat. I went to consumer reports website and am planning on buying the Evenflo Triumph ($120). It was the highest rated along with the Britax Roundabout, which would not fit your boy. The Evenflo holds up to 50lbs and after that point you should be able to safely move to a booster. Car seats are SO frustrating. I wish I would have known how big my baby was going to be when I was pregnant so I wouldn't have had to go through this! Also, Babies R Us lets you take the seat out to your car to try it out before you buy. I totally know how you feel. Between my car, the sitter's and my husband's I have spent $520 and I am looking at spending another $240. I didn't know I was so rich! Good Luck!

Okay, I have to edit my response because people are being really h*** o* you about safety. It is a little bit different when you have big kids. Safety is always first, but my son at 10 months outgrew the Chicco Key Fit 30! I am mandated by law to keep him in a rear facing position even though in both the Britax and Chicco the back of his head is not fully covered (forget the 1 inch the manufacturers recommend)! When I asked my ped for advice he told me to do the best I could do. This law is made to protect, but we have to look at individuals too. Just do the best you can to keep your little one safe (which I know you'll do). Please don't listen to the posters that haven't read your whole post and try to stay positive.

Make the change, see how it goes and make any adjustments. Trust your judgement! You are doing a great job!

Maybe you could talk to your pediatrician. Also, he may LEGALLY need to be in an actual car seat until 4. Maybe you could buy one expensive car seat (probably a Brittax) for the car he is in the most. That way, if you travel long distances (vacation, etc), you'll have one comfortable and safe car seat for him.

I also have a bigger three year old and after some research found that Graco makes a new higher weight harness carseat/booster for up to 60lbs. It's called the Nautilus (I think someone else mentioned it here too) and we got ours (one for my three year old son and also my 5 year old daughter) for $120 at Walmart. I saw this week that Target carries them now too, although their's were $150. As more and more recommendations come out to keep kids harnessed for as long as possible, carseat manufacturers are trying to help make them more affordable.
We've had our seats for about 9 months now and we absolutely love them. So comfy and sturdy and I like them far better than the other ($300) seats I looked at before we bought them.
If you can afford just over $100 for a safer seat, I very highly recommend the Graco Nautilus.

My 3 y/o has been in a booster for quite a while now. I know she was 40lbs when we did it. She is very tall for her age too. I thought the requirement was over 40 lbs??? I know that she is much happier in a booster. I don't know why you couldn't do it. We have the Turbo Booster and it has been reviewed as one of the safest. And it's only around $25.00:)! Hope this helps!

I know what you mean! My son is the same size, and I hate to have just one seat and have to redo and undo it to move it, especially once I have it in good and tight! It's safer to just leave the seat in one spot. Anyhow, I have the Eddie Bauer (sp?) high back booster, that later converts to a lap booster. It was around $80 at Target, now it's $99 has arm rests and cup holders too. (http://www.target.com/Eddie-Bauer-High-Back-Booster-Seat/... fit my son great right now, and he has a little more room in it too. It received great safety marks from Consumer Guide, but some reviews on Target say it's a pain in the butt to put in cars etc... I had no problems though! It's a great seat you might look into it. Or you can just go to Wal-Mart or Target, and test your son in different seats to see how he fits! Plus Wal-mart will match prices. I'm sure you could find one for $100 or less. It's just safer at this age to keep them in a 5 point why their bodies are still developing. Better safe then sorry!!

A little tongue in cheek comment...
(do not take this too seriously!)
I do agree that the "Car seat laws" can help save lives, but they have also gotten out of hand! What about common sense!?
If a child is too big for a carseat...you have to do what works for you! If they follow all the laws/guidelines, I have friends who are small/short stature who should STILL be in a booster seat at age 50+!!! Even now, it is like, Happy 16th/17th Birthday! Not only do you get your driver's license...but you get to finally get out of your booster seats!
Wouldn't it make sense for car manufacturers to come up with new ways to safely secure children of different ages (toddlers and up?) within their cars rather than us having to buy 5+ seats (infants/carriers/convertable/larger/boosters) over the life of the child? Of course it would! Seriously, if they can come up with hybrid engines, "air curtains", GPS, etc. you'd think they could make adjustable seats and restraints for kids. BUT, the carseat makers are likely in cahoots with the car makers...so everyone makes more money and we all lighten our wallets!
I remember sitting on my mom's lap in the front seat for rides as a child...peeking through the "middle seats" when stuck in the backseat, climbing from front to back, etc. and piling about 6 kids in the backseat and more in the "way back" of our friend's stationwagon to go to an amusement park (making faces out the back at other cars!) Those were some of the best times! Safe? Nah... but we survived! (I know...we were just lucky and nobody knew better back then! in ancient times, 30 years ago!) LOL
Sorry, I needed to vent.

Hi,

I would call the local fire department or hospital. Whoever does car seat safety in your town. They would be able to advise you. Some places will also have free car seats that they can donate to you.

Given his age he needs to be in a 5 point harness type of car seat still. It is not safe to only use the shoulder and lap belt especially at the age of 2 1/2.

You need to find the right fitting car seat for your son to provide maximum security while he is being driven around.

I have 28 years experience as a Nanny and three children of my own and car seat safety is something that I am a strong advocate of.

Good Luck in your search..

If you go to your local Highway Patrol office, police department, or Fire Department they can tell you what is safest. Each department generally has a certified car seat safety specialist on hand. I agree it's expensive for car seats. Most accidents happen within 5 miles of home though and it only takes one time... Good luck!

We bought our son the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 MultiUse Car Seat from Wal-Mart. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8112222 It was about $140 and well worth it. It has an extended 5-point harness for up to 65 pounds (plenty of crotch room), then can be used as a booster (either high-back or backless) up to 100 pounds. There is also a height adjustable head support for the taller kids. We've had our son in it for about 7 months and it's pretty easy to get him in and out of. He loves the cupholder on one side, and the cubbyhole on the other side for toys.

Personally, I would keep them in a 5-point harness as long as possible. I recently purchased a new carseat for my almost 5 year old daughter that will go up to 80 pounds. It was expensive, but I feel my piece of mind knowing that she is safe was worth the cost. Awhile back, I was forwarded a youtube video and I think every parent should watch it when trying to decide whether to go with a booster or carseat. Go to this website - http://www.kyledavidmiller.org/ - and click to watch "Kyle's you tube video". His parents set up a foundation in his memory that helps parents purchase safe carseats for their child.. I think you can apply for assistance on their website.

Ultimately, it is your choice. My sister has a son just a few months older than my daughter, and he has been in a booster for awhile now, and my mom has a booster in her car as she watches him a lot. She just understands that I don't want my daughter to ride in a booster, so we often trade cars if she is going to watch my daughter and needs to drive anywhere.

Also, something to keep in mind if looking for a used carseat.. they expire 5 years after the manufacturer's date. I didn't realize this until I had my son back in Jan and brought my daughter's carrier/carseat to the hospital for him to come home in. The hospital told me his carseat would "expire" in 6 months. I thought that was a little crazy, but I have found stuff on the I-net to support why carseats are not safe after 5 years (breakdown in material). If in doubt, you can call the carseats manuf and give them some numbers from the carseat and they will look it up and tell you when it will expire.

Go for the booster. I did. My daughter is 2 weighs 46lbs and is 43 inches, I switched as soon as she got to the 40lb limit because of the fit. And for all the skeptics, I bought 4 different types of car seats trying to find one she was comfortable in and none worked but the booster. When she falls asleep I tilt the seat back slightly so she does not slump. Other than that we have had no problems. Good luck.

We just bought a Graco Nautilus. It is a 5 pt harness until 65 lbs and converts into a booster. It was only $150. Not much cheaper, I know...but a little!

Well...coming from an old timer here... I know I'm only 42. But my oldest is going to be 24 soon. When she was born my car didn't even have seat belts!

When she was 2 it was the most normal thing in the world to put them in a regular seatbelt.

Through the years they changed the rules and added more and more in age and poundage etc. Frankly I think it's just gotten CRAZY!

The large car seats take up way too much space in my vehicles and I usually have every seat filled with bodies. So the kids are too close together to move around. If they even thought about getting out of the seat someone would tattle on them. If they fall asleep the slump over onto each other but don't move far enough for it to be an issue. Like you, I don't go far so they rarely doze off and if so only for a couple of minutes.

I say go for the booster if the child will stay in the seat and if your seat belts work nice and snug like they should. But personally, I stay off the highways, take my time getting where I want to go and travel well under the speed limit. I'm very careful because I have a lot of precious cargo with me! I keep my kids off the roads when it's icy or on holidays when there are just too many people and after dark when the drunks are out.

Suzi

My daughter was not 40 pounds but was 4 when I put her in a booster seat. The carseats are so unconvertable for them. She does fall asleep in it but to me it is no different than a carseat. One thing you might want to do is to try and call the highway patrol and ask them. If you were to get stopped you could get a ticket. Check around there has to be a cheaper seat out there somewhere. I know he is only 2.5 but weight wise he is the correct weight. I think that he would do okay in a regular booster.