Booster Seats

I tried to do a search and nothing came up? Soooo....

I'm finally in the market for a booster seat. Which ones do you prefer, with or without backs? And which ones are you using?

Thanks in advance!

 

Are you asking about car booster seats or ones for the table? We just ditched our high chairs and got boosters from Walmart without backs. They are great! Best part is they were only $10.50!!

 

I am assuming you are talking about booster seats for the car. :unsure: For me it depends on the age and weight of the child. We got my oldest DD the Graco turbo booster (which has the back that can come off) when she was 4.5 years old. I think we took the back off of it around 5.5-6 years old. And even now at almost 9 she still will sometimes put the back back on it for longer car trips, so it has the little head rest to sleep. BTW, she is still in the bottom part of the booster now.

So now after typing all that out, I would go with the booster seats that have the back (that can come off) like the Graco turbo booster, becuase the back part of it really is nice if the kids fall asleep on long car rides. :good: Plus it does help keep the seatbelt at the right level for the kids so it does not go across their throat, but rather lay on their shoulders.

When mine switch to booster seats like that, that is the way I plan to go.

 

My twins are still in Marathons and will be for a long time. If I were to buy boosters, they would be these Sunshine Monterays.

I would definitely go with something that has a back. My 7 yr old still has a backed one.

 

Thanks for the replies thus far. And yes, I am referring about booster seats for the car. Anyone else?

 

Well most boosters with back have a weight and height of 30lbs and 36in? backless are 40lbs and 40 in. neither of mine meet the standards for the backless

 

We're using the Graco Nautilus. Right now they're still 5-point in them and will be for as long as I can keep them that way. By then, they'll probably be tall enough for a backless booster (it converts to belt-positioner and then backless). Not sure how old your kids are but at almost 4 mine are not mature enough to reliably sit still in a regular seatbelt so even if they met the weight requirement(they don't), they aren't really ready.

 

My 5 1/4 yo is still in a harnassed seat, no way I am putting her in a backless booster just yet. She's about 48" and about 48lbs. I am planning to keep her in the Radian until at least her 6th birthday. One of my Marathons is expiring 10/10, so by that time she's well over 6, and then she'll get a booster with back and one of the twins will move into her Radian while the other stays in the other Marathon assuming he/she still fits.

The longer you can keep them harnassed the better, the longer you have them in a booster (with back) afterwards the better.

I am not sure how old your twins are, but since you're posting in the 2-4 yo forum, I think a harnassed seat should still have your priority. If you want a combination seat I would recommend looking into a Graco Nautilus ... harnassed, later a booster with back!

 

Mine JUST switched to a backed booster....they outgrew the height for the 5 point (40 inches). Our booster requires a back if you are under 40 lbs (both of my girls are--32 &35). You have to be over 40 inches--mine are 40 &41.

They cant go backless until they are over 40lbs.

 

We have the Graco Nautilus. I love it! It goes up to 100 lbs as a full back booster or backless.

 

I agree with Mom2SofieAndTwins.

Ideally, you would want to harness your kids until they are 5 or 6 years at a minimum - so that they are mature enough to sit correctly all of the time so that the seat belt will protect them properly and their hip bone is a little better formed to keep the seat belt low on the hips in the event of a crash. After that, I'd suggest starting with a high back booster, particularly if they like to sleeping the the car (othewise, they'll fall out of position when they are sleeping and won't be properly protected). I agree that the Natuilus could be a good choice for you as it will harness for a while longer, then converts to a high back booster, and can also convert to a low back booster, when your kids are ready for it.

For additional information and recommendations, check out the forums at http://www.car-seat.org/

 

At 4 my older boys went into a backed booster seat. At 6 they went into a backless booster. My 9 yr old is 4'2" and weighs only 60 lbs. I still make him ride in a booster seat. And YES he is really starting to push back! But the rule is age 8 and 80 lbs. He isn't anywhere near 80 lbs. We may have to let it slide soon though.

Since your in this forum, I would strongly suggest a backed booster. And, unless they are very big also one that has a 5 point harness/seat belt option.

 

Thanks for the suggestions! My 4 y/o's have exceeded the weight and height limits for their convertible 5 pt. restraint car seats. They are over 40 lbs now and growing rapidly! I have decided to get boosters with backs for better side impact safety & overall comfort for naps or long trips. I'll check on some reviews online on the above mentioned boosters! Thanks again!

 

Just wanted to add that I found out yesterday that two of my friends have the Graco Nautilus (that was mentioned above) for their 3.5 year olds (they are still using the harness on it with them now) and they love them. They got them with the intention that they would be able to use it as a booster seat (with and then without the back )in the future. :good: They are very happy with them.

 

I switched the boys to backless boosters at 3.5 or so. They both met the weight and height requirements.