Hi Moms,
I am totally overwhelmed trying to find a safe booster for my twins, who are 3 and nearing 40 pounds. I would like a seat that has a 5-point harness for as long as possible (60 pounds or so), but then converts to a belt-positioning booster. I really don't want to spend the money on a Britax again if there are other seats just as safe, but I will if that what it takes. Any ideas? Thanks!
Thank you all for your advice! I've decided that once they outgrow the Britax Roundabouts (at 40 pounds) I will get the Apex. I want to keep them harnessed as long as possible, especially b/c they are so quick I think they can wiggle out of the regular seatbelt if they are in a belt-positioning booster. At Sam's current weight, hw will probably be in high school before he exceeds the weight limit for the Apex! I wonder if you can put one of those boosters in the driver's seat...?
Thanks again!
I love my Evenflo's! I have two of them! They have adjustable head rest, and movable arm rest. Along with fold down cup holder and a snack thing. Let me see if I can find a link!
This is the new version of what I have...
http://www.evenflo.com/Homepage/ProductList/tabid/203/nav...
The only seat that I have found that can be used with the 5pt harness over 40 lbs that isn't britax expensive is the Alpha Elite Apex. The 5pt harness goes to 65lbs and it can be a booster up to 100lbs. Babies R Us has the seat for $129.99. But be forewarned- according to reviews the crotch buckle is too short but you can request a free extender from the company.
I hope this helps and good luck!!
Edited to add:
The Alpha Elite Apex also sells as the Safety 1st Deluxe High Back Belt Positioning Booster ($129.99 on Amazon) http://www.amazon.com/Safety-Deluxe-High-Positioning-Boos...
And the Graco Safeguard Booster Seat also works as a 5pt up to 60lbs. ($165 on Amazon) http://www.amazon.com/Safeguard-Booster-Seat-in-Red/dp/B0...
Hi R.,
My daughter is 3 1/2 and is 40 lbs. I use this booster because it is 5 point harness and reverts to a seatbelt:http://www.target.com/Cosco-Gotham-High-Back-Booster/dp/B...
I have two of them, one for each vehicle. She loves it. The only problem is installing it. It is rather difficult to install and I would highly recommend you going to a carseat specialist at any fire department to get it installed. At this age children don't grow to fast, so you won't have to adjust it often. Some of the best places I've found to buy carseats are costco, BJs, Target, and Burlington Coat Factory's Baby Depot and Babyies R Us. Hope this helps and if you need advice on what to look for in a good carseat, Babies R Us has a link on their website on it.
The problem with those seats that convert to a booster is that most of them only harness to 40lbs. The only one I can think of off the top of my head that goes higher than that is the Cosco Apex65. It harnesses to 65lbs. and then is a belt positioning booster until 100lbs. The only requirement is that your vehicle have adjustable headrests or very high headrests that can go behind the carseat as it is not reinforced.
Just out of curiosity, what seats are they in now? I saw you mention Britax and wondered if that's the seats they are in now. They harness to 65lbs.
Btw, good for you for wanting to keep them harnessed longer. The longer you can keep them harnessed the safer they will be.
I have a 2 and a half year old who is also large for her age(she is 38lbs and in a 4-5t). Soon after she was in a forward facing seat at a year I looked for a seat that was a decent price and would allow me to keep her in a harness longer. I knew that she would be at least 40 lbs before 3. We abought the Alpha Elite that others have talked about. Becarful though, they now make one that also faces the rear that goes only to 40 lbs in the harness. I got my seat from Babies R Us. I love the seat and have not had any trouble with it. I would definantly buy it again....we have 2 and about to buy one more for my car since my little one is almost 40 lbs and not ready to be out of the harness.
I have purchased 3 or these car seats/booster seats and they love them. Cosco High Back Booster Car Seat from Walmart for only $44. It has the 5 point harness that can be removed once they outgrow it and it conferts into a regular booster chair up to 80 pounds. It is also small in size but plenty of room for the child. I hope this helps.
I have the Alpha Elite that Rachel told you about. It is great. I did call about the buckle. It was on back order and it took about 2 weeks to get here. I got it from Babies R Us.
I got the Cosco Gotham High-Back Booster from Target, then had my parents buy a second one. They're around $40 and I think they're great. It's safe, I really like how high the back is, my son is very tall and this one fits him the best. It has a cup holder too, which for us it great. It's also very light, so it's the car seat we travel with!!
There is a problem with the apex. Becuase of the seats structure you can only use this seat with high vehicle seat back. When the childs eyes or tops of ears reach the top the vehicle seat back YOU MUST DISCONTINUE USE OF THIS SEAT! i spoke with the seat manufacturer and that is what THEY SAID. If you dont want to spend 270 on a car seat or on each car seat you only other options right now may be a booster. there is a radain 65 and radian 80 but they aslo go for over 200 a peice. If you have any other questions please email me. ____@____.com I am certified with safekids.org as a child passanger safety technician. Also if you could send you children's weight and height that could help me tell you which seat you could use.
Good luck!
