[*JAC*]

Hi

I just bought a booster seat today - it's a winnie the poo one i got on special for $55.00 at target. Anyway, was wondering when do you start using it instead of the baby seat? my DS is 19 months old - i'm not sure of his weight or his height (although he is quite tall for his age).

Also, it says you can use with or without a harness. Do you need the harness? or is it just another one of those things that you don't really need and they suck you into buying?

TIA!!!

[Rowy]

Hi..My DS is 22 mths old..and we just bought a safe and sound booster seat..they are fairly pricey..but I liked the idea of the 5 point harness..as I am quite sure he would get out of the normal lap sash..styles..I think..if I was in your situation I would buy the harness..just for that extra protection..but then again my DS is a mischieveious child...LOL..
As for weight..I thought those types of booster seats..where from something like 16 kilos??..just a guess..I am only changing him to a booster beacuse of the fact..of another bubs nearly due..If I had my way I would still have in his carseat just for safety concerns..as really..Im sure he would of been able to stay in that one for another 6 months or more yet..Personally...Safety..is my main concern..Goodluck..I hope this has helped..

Another June bubs...EDD 2/6/05

[Bellisymo]

Harrison is 3 in July and still in a normal carseat in one car and a booster in hubby's car because he was to big for that carseat (they were the same sort of seat but one is smaller than the other one). My little one is a big boy but I still put him in the proper seat for our trip to Sydney last weekend. Way safer.

We have only just put him in the booster in hubby's car (like in the last two weeks). I think they should stay in the proper seats for as long as they fit in them. I hate seeing little ones in boosters before they are ready. It just isn't safe.

Yes I would buy the harness as well. Much safer!

[Guest_Millipede_*]

The average child doesnt need to go into a booster seat until they are 4 years old.

You can swap to a booster seat when they reach 14 kg (average child will be 2.5 years) but they are much better off staying in their normal car seat until they reach the upper weight limit for it (when they reach 18kg- or 4 years old for an average child).

You son is way too small to be in a booster. If you have an accident he will not be adequately restrained by a standard seatbelt and is at great risk of serious injury or death. His risk of injury will be greatly lessened if you use a H-strap along with the booster seat- but he is safest of all if you keep him in his car seat with the 5-point harness.

[Manda]

*~J~* My turn to stalk you!

Legally you can have your in the car with no child seat at all from 12 mths of age.
Its not reccomended for saftey reasons but it is legal.

As for weight/age/height unless your son is a bigger boy i would keep him in child seat for longer, they say until his eye level is level with the back of the front seat, once this happens its time to change seats. thats when i would safetly say move him to the booster seat.

This is what i have been told by several restraint and RTA places.

HTH

Mandy

<a href="http://www.tickercentral.com"><img border="0" src="http://www.tickercentral.com/view/274i/1"></a>

[Lotus]

I agree with Millipede - your DS sounds way too young at this stage for a booster seat.

I may be wrong, but I dont *think* your 16 month old would be the average "safe" weight suggested to use a booster seat i.e. 14kg or over. Personally, I would not be putting him in one prematurely just for the sake of it iykwim. I also believe the harness/H strap is to do with the level of safety and restraint for the child, not just a scam to get parents to spend more money.

If I were you I would keep him in his regular car seat until he reaches the appropriate and safe weight for the new booster and then do the switch! FWIW - My DS is just over 2 yrs old and I still have him in the car seat that I bought for him as a newborn (reversable). He weighs just over 15kg ATM, but in terms of safety I am hesitant to change to a booster seat just yet. Although, Id love to because his seat ATM is looking a little worse for wear these days! LOL

[*JAC*]

Hi! Thanks all for your replies. I too thought he was a little young - but wasn't sure exactly. I do prefer him to be in his child seat - it just seems a lot more solid and safer IYKWIM? I just thought that you 'had' to put them in a booster at a certain weight / age.

Will be leaving him in his car seat for as long as possible!! Thanks again guys!!! (what would i do without EB? )