[color=Blue][color=Blue]Hi there

I have no idea about booster seats and thought that some of you with older children might be able to offer me some advice.

Our boys are nearly 18 months old and they're currently in "Turn-a-Tot" car seats. We've found them to be absolutely fabulous. They've saved my back, and they boys love them. According to the brochure, the boys can stay in these seats until they're 18kgs, so we're happy to leave them in there until then.

My question was, when is it best to move them into a booster seat? Should we wait until they're 18kgs, or put them in beforehand?!?! Is there a recommended age or height requirement before they should be moved into a booster seat?

And, this might sound like a really silly question, but what do you all think of the Safe-n-Sound Nova Booster Seat (the one that is only a seat, and has no sides or back)? Is that a real no no for toddlers, and if so, when is it acceptable to put a child into one of those less bulky boosters?

I'm probably getting in really early asking these questions, but I like to be prepared!

Thanks, Vanessa

1st ICSI November '02 successful!
(Ryan & Kai - 29 July '03)

Hi Vanessa

We didn't move Blake to a full booster seat until he was just over 3yrs old. He is currently in the car seat that you describe & has been for the past year.

The girls (who are 3 in march) are still in their carseats. I'll probably be putting them into a booster seat when they're 3 1/2 or 4yrs. They still look too tiny to be out of their carseats & I feel they're safer in their carseats, iykwim.

HTH

Cheers

Justine
Nick
[img]http://www.geocities.com/jussy227/xmas04.1.txt[/img]

We actually put j&c into boosters just after they turned 2 but only because they had both outgrown their carseats (Joel nearly 18kg 97cm and cam 16kg 97cm) Basically they were both the right weight for boosters (over 14kg) and the straps on the carseats were below their shoulders-basically because of their height they'd outgrown them)

we initially tried a 'H' harness with each booster but found it took sooooooooooooo long to get them into it it was ridiculous (they work much better with a lap seat belt rather than lap/sash).

Personnally I would get the full seats as they have bits for them to rest their heads on if they fall asleep on long journies and they have just that little bit extra protection in case of accidents.

I wouldnt move them into boosters until you absolutely have to-theyre much more securely strapped in with carseats.

Cheers Caz Joel and Cam 2yr 7 months

Matthew and Erin were too tall for the car seats at about 16kg (eye level above the top of the seat at the back). So they went into boosters with H harnesses (which I find easy to use).

The safest options are the boosters with an antisubmarine clip (still the clip between the legs), I think the Safe and Sound Pegasus is the overall winner there. H Harnesses increase the safety of the boosters by a long shot.

Unfortunately the backless/pod seats offer very little safety advantage over the child sitting in the seat of the car.

Have a look at ... http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s968536.htm and http://www.mynrma.com.au/question_answer_child.asp and http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?...&tid=100008&p=7

Jo2+2<BR>Angel Baby - Rachel - born still 21/11/00 (23 weeks)<BR>Matthew & Erin 7/11/01<P><BR>

I wouldn't be putting them into a booster until you have to - ie they have outgrown the seat - them after safest in the carseat.

With my DD1 we bought a Safe and Sound maxirider - which does upto 26kg, is anchored in and has a 5 point harness. This will do her for a few more years (she's going on 3 - you can use it with a normal belt once she gets too talls for the harness). Once my twins have outgrown their carseats I will buy other maxirider or similar so they can have good restraints (my DD wouldn't keep a lap sash on!!!)

Cheers

Mags

Hi Vanessa, we've got the same as Mags and they are excellent. When baby no.3 arrived we used one of the twins' baby car seats for her and put the Safe and Sound maxiriders in the back of the Tarago for the boys and it's worked very well for us. They do sit in booster seats in their grandparents' car though- we bought those too just recently but I can't remember the brand sorry. Happy purchasing!
Maycee

Maycee (35)
DH (33)
Twin boys (4/12/01)
DD (7/10/03)

[color=Blue]Thanks so much for the info girls. I've heard excellent reports about the Safe-n-Sound Pegasus and Maxi Rider, so I think I'll be looking into those a bit more in the next few months. I'd like to keep them in their Turn-a-Tot seats for as long as possible, but Ryan's so tall that I can see him outgrowing it before he hits 18kg! :gasp:

Thanks again, Vanessa

1st ICSI November '02 successful!
(Ryan & Kai - 29 July '03)