My son is 4 years old and small for his age (about 34 lbs), and he’s always been in a car seat with a five point harness. We have a Britax Marathon and Sunshine Kids Radian. Both seats are solid and heavy with the latch system to attach them to my car. He recently has been complaining that the strap between his legs in the Britax hurts his "wee wee". I’ve tried loosening the straps a bit, but he still complains. I know he’s at the age where the booster seat is an option, but I’m hesitant to allow him to ride in one for safety reasons. I’m afraid the seatbelt won’t sit properly against his waist, cut into his neck, and allow his head to slump when he falls asleep (which he does often on car rides). Are there any seats that have a more suitable five point harness that will fit an older child, or any very safe booster seats that you can recommend? I was hoping they still make booster seats with the latch system to hold the seat in place so it doesn’t slide around in the car when not in use.

More Car Seats

We have an older truck that doesn’t have carseats. Everything I ready says "Don’t put kids in the front seat because of air bags," but we don’t have air bags.
The truck has a small second row of seating, but it is so difficult to get the kids in and out that we gave up using the truck once we had kids.

Is it safe to put my 3-year-old (in 5-point harness carseat) or 5-year-old (in booster) in the front seat?

More Car Seats

As I have mentioned in previous questions, I have a large son. He is 9 months now, and is 30" and 32lbs. We have him in a Costco Convertible seat, but the weight limit is 40lbs. My husband and I are on a fixed budget, not a ton of spending money, and I was wondering if we should get a bigger convertible seat with a higher weight, or juts move him to a high back booster seat when he outgrows the convertible?
I have an appt with his doctor next week for shots and well baby check up, and am going to ask him while there, but wanted some mommies and daddies opinions.
I know I need to do what is best and safest for my son, which is why I am trying to figure out what is best. I was hoping that when he started crawling he wouldn’t gain as much weight, or even lose a few pounds being mobile, and now that he is almost walking, he seems to want more food now then ever!

More Car Seats

If your child meets the weight and height requirements for a booster seat (38" and at least 30lbs.), then why does the age requirement matter (30 months vs. 36 months). I could see if the difference was 6 mos. old vs. 12 mos. old but what would be the difference other than age between a 30 mo. old and a 36 mo. old in reference to a car seat?

More Car Seats

My son is 2 1/2. He is very big for his age. He meets the weight requirement for a booster seat. (40 pounds) He is also almost 40" tall. His car seat is wearing badly. I need to get him something new. I am very tempted to get him a nice high back booster, but am finding it difficult because he is still so young. I don’t know why his age is deterring me, though…I know for a fact he is strong as an avg. 4 year old. In fact the pediatrician told me he’s the strongest 2 year old he’s ever seen. What would you do?
*also there is no age requirement to meet (in VA) when moving to a booster…only a weight recommendation of 35-40 pounds.

More Car Seats

I’m asking because my daughter will soon be turning 8. In my state that is when she will legally be allowed to get rid of her booster seat. What I’m not understanding is that it has a "or 80 lbs." attached to it. I don’t know if it’s a recommendation weight wise, or a legal requirement. Do any 8 year old children really weigh 80 lbs? My daughter only weighs 42! I know she’s small for her age, but at the rate she’s going she’ll be in high school before she’s out of her booster seat.

Any thoughts, advice, or knowledge on this subject?

More Car Seats

Booster Seats?
I have two boys aged 8 and 11. The 8 year old is about 3’11 and weighs about 55 lbs and my 11 year old is 4’6" and weighs about 75 lbs… right now we have a couple of hand me down booster seats from my sister. Our car is equipped with old lap belts in the back and they have had some bad press lately.

Does anyone have any suggestions on new car seats?

More Car Seats

I have two boys aged 8 and 11. The 8 year old is about 3’11 and weighs about 55 lbs and my 11 year old is 4’6" and weighs about 75 lbs… right now we have a couple of hand me down booster seats from my sister. Our car is equipped with old lap belts in the back and they have had some bad press lately.

Does anyone have any suggestions on new car seats?

More Car Seats

I have done some research and have read both sides of the argument and I don’t know which one to believe.
I have a 28 month old girl who weighs about 45 pounds, 37" high. She is over the weigh limit on her car seat. I was going to change her to a booster seat but I have read that it is very dangerous to put 2 and 3 year old in booster seats. On the other hand, since she’s passed the weight limit on her current car seat, it is dangerous to keep her in it as well. I have tried on of the convertible car seats at the store but the harness was too tight for her, only the booster seat position would have worked. I have read the state laws about car seats, but my kid doesn’t fit the criteria of age/weight. What is the safest for my child?
Anyone with the same problem, how did you solve it?
I would appreciate any link to any serious website discussing this.
Thank you
I just found out about the "Sunshine Kids Radian65" car seat which fits kids up to 65 pounds. I was hoping to spend less for this might be the safest option.
I do have a convertible Recaro seat that’s up to 80 pounds as a booster but as a harness it goes only up to 40 pounds. it’s one of the best out there but it was not the right seat for my daughter, too heavy for the harness and too small for the booster. I’ll just have to swallow it and get the Sunshine Kids 80!

More Car Seats

My stepdaughter will be 7 and in a booster seat. My son will be 13 months and in a convertible car seat and I will have a newborn in a carrier. Would rather not do the mini-van/SUV route if we don’t have to. Wondering if a 5 Series BMW has more room along the back? Or possibly a station wagon? My husband and I are both on the tall side (He is 6’5" and I am close to 6′ so having leg room in the front is also necessary. Suggestions please?

More Car Seats