Car Booster Seats

[TheScaryOne]

Ok .. how old was your little one when moved from a car seat into a booster seat? and what sort did you choose (and why?)

Mine is nearly 3, is getting quite tall for her seat but is only 12kg (2kg under the minimum weight for boosters). I was looking around at the seats and was very frightened by the reports of low speed accidents resulting in major injuries and fatalaties in small children. I read one report of a lap sash belt cutting a childs liver in half by forcing it through the spine!!!!

Anyway, I found a car seat that seems to have all the important safety features. A submarine belt (comes up between their legs), and the seat is secured to the car like a child seat is and has a clip for a H harness for the child.



However it's actually quite expensive as it's useful from 6 months - 8 years (about $450).

I'm interested in what sort of seats you guys have available to use. It's so hard to choose given that the governments do not adequately test these seats.

[Liz1967]

Hi TSO

The law here changed back in September regarding car seats, you can read details of the new legislation here:-

http://www.childca r s e ats.org.uk/
(OK you don't need those spaces in the website address I have had to put them in cos of the censor!!)

Seats sold here I believe have to comply to certain standards following testing, and regular testing is carried out by consumer groups. The big problem here though is with parents not fitting the seats correctly.

Anyway, to answer your question - my eldest son went from a car seat with integral harness to a booster seat when he was about 3. This particular booster seat had a back to it and some side protection too, and guides for the seat belts to fit into to ensure they were at the right level for him. He stayed in this until he was 5 at which point he used a booster cushion, ie, something with no back, which literally just raises the children up a bit.

My youngest child is now 7 and I think we followed a similar pattern with him, because he is smaller than the minimum height requirement he is using a booster cushion but that means he must always travel in the back of the car. As I understand the new law if I want him to travel in the front I need to purchase a booster seat - something with a back to it and some side protection.

The car seat in your post looks good, and although seems expensive if you used it from 6 months to 8 years you would certainly get your money's worth.

TBH I am a bit out of touch with all this, but imagine there must be something similar to that over here.

Love
Liz
xx

[loubylou]

That looks quite a good one. When the boys where younger they where in something very simlar till the age of 5, then they had a booser seat with a back in it that used the adult seat belt. When they got taller I took away the back part and they use the booster seat on its own.

Mind you ds1 is above the limit now so dosnt use a booster, ds2 is just at the height but as he is 7 I still make him use the booster seat till hes at junior school Actually hes very good and dosnt moan about it.

Because they boys are so close in ages (17 months) apart from the first new born seat Ive always had to have 2 of each stage and its been so expensive. All in all so far we have had 5 car seat, and guess what, I got rid of them all so all being well will need to buy new again. Mind you after 8 years they would need replacing anyway as I guess the new ones are safer now.

[Julia]

Hi
Since the law changed in the UK last year when dd was outgrowing her 6 mths to 4 years seat (at age about 3 1/2, 3 3/4) we bought a Maxi Cosi one - John Lewis says this about it:

Product Information

Suitable for Group 2 and 3 (15-36kg) the Rodi XP car seat features Side Protection System for optimum safety for your child. The height and width adjustable backrest can also be adjusted to different angles to fit most cars.

With padded head support and safety hooks to ensure seat belt secures in the correct position. Also converts to a booster seat.

All our car seats and infant carriers comply with current European regulations ECE R44-03.

Key Features

Age from About 4 - 12 years

Brand Maxi-Cosi

Group 2 and 3

Weight 15 to 36kg (33lb - 79lb)which will take her till she is about 8. It has side impact protection, head restraint, arm rests.

It cost about GBP 95 - you can get eg a Graco one for about half that but the quality lookhd as though it would not last so we felt a false economy - this one is lovely and solid. It sits on a small base thing but is not attached to the car as firmly as a baby seat would be. DD is strapped in using the adult rear seat belt which is guided though special slots for her comfort and safety. We have been very pleased with it. Your one looks v solid - but will an 8 year old really be happy to use 5 point harness? Just a thought...

Hope this helps