Convertible car seats

Isn't the legal requirement for the booster seat 40 lbs and 4 years old? If not then I believe it's highly recommended, right? Well, then why do most convertible car seats have a weight limit of 40 lbs for forward-facing and 40+ lbs for the belt positioner? Is Britax the only car seat that can handle more weight? Maybe I'm not understanding how the belt positioner works. I figure the belt positioner uses the car's seat belts and the 5 point belt is no longer used, right?
The problem is if you have a child who is 40lbs and not yet 4 years of age, what do you do? Is it worth it spending $270 + dollars on the Britax car seat? Thanks!

 

yes, to me it is.
I only buy Britax personally anyhow, but all my kids can safely ride in them up to 80lbs, that pays for itself.

 

I switched my son at 4 years old and he was only 37 lbs. He is only 39 now and he is 5. He is fine in his booster seat and I have never had trouble with his weight not holding the booster seat down. And yes Amanda is right the Britax works with just the belt and it is for over 40 lbs.

 

This was one of the reasons we went with Britax - higher weight limits. SIL gave us two Roundabouts that don't go as high. Our Boulevards go up to 65 pounds. They'll be in the forever.

 

I don't think it's the law in all states. Some boosters can already deal with kids 30lbs+ and 38"+ ... but it's considered safest (and the norm) to keep your children harnassed until 40lbs and 4 years of age. Unfortunately, my oldest has basically outgrown her Marathon (height wise) because she's so tall and has a long torso, but I can't fit a Regent (much higher slots; Radian only buys me 1/2") and 2 Marathons (for the twins) in the back so she's now in a SafeRider vest, which is considered safer than a booster (it's tethered) but doesn't take up a lot of space.

 

My twins are only 9mo. old but we bought the Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 convertible car seats becasue they take them all the way up to 100lbs! My aun bought this one with her son who now turning 6 in Aug. and he is still in this seat. It turns into a booster seat. A lot less expensive than Britax, but still expensive. The best part is the 100lbs! I could almost sit in it :rotflmbo: I went with this one to save $$, and the luck that my Aunt had with it, and still using it, SOLD me on it!!

Hope this helps!

 

Even though it is legal to change your child to a booster seat, it is NOT safe. These families are living examples of why.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2LFo8vVi04

Please don't put your children in booster seats -- the safest place for them is 5-point car seat. They may not like it, but at least they'll be alive to complain.

 

We went with Britax a lot because of the higher weight limit.

To me it was better to spend the money up front than to have to buy another one later if he exceeds the 40 lbs before 4 years old.