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cantwait41
LIF Zygote
Member since 7/11 43 total posts
Name:
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Booster / Convertible Car Seats
I have no clue which to get! My baby is almost 20 pounds, so I'm looking to obviously stop using the infant car seat...but I don't know what is the difference between a booster or convertible one, and also which is a good brand to get (one that did the best on crash tests). Would love any help on this!!!!! 
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Posted 1/16/13 7:10 PM  |
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MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *
Member since 2/09 6243 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Booster / Convertible Car Seats
A booster is for older children... Once they grow out of the convertible stage
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| Posted 1/16/13 7:17 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19461 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Booster / Convertible Car Seats
Posted by MaZz
A booster is for older children... Once they grow out of the convertible stage
There are 4 different type of car seats:
1. infant (rear facing only) greco snugride
2. Convertible (both forward and rear facing - for use rear facing from about 6 months to 2 years and forward facing from 2 years to about 4 1/2). You can theoretically use them until a child is about 6 years old (65 lbs) but a lot of kids outgrow the seat before then. This car seat is a 5 point harness. britax boulevard/marathon/greco nautilus
3. High back booster (minimum is 40 lbs and 4 years old) this is a car seat that uses a seat belt to harness the child. Some have an additional crotch strap. Very few use latch so the car seat must be strapped in at all times as not to be a projectile. britax frontier/greco argos/britax parkway
4. Booster seat (this seat is for an older child - about 6) where it has no back and merely lifts the child so their hips are at a correct level for a seat belt. Some high back booster seats convert into booster seats. Greco Argos/Britax Parkway.
The "goal" is to keep your DC rear facing as long as possible. When my kids were born the recommendations were lower than they are today. A five point harness car seat is safest for young children. It is not recommended to use a booster until a child has enough strength to sit up unassisted and not need the sides of a 5 point harness to hold them in.
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| Posted 1/16/13 7:30 PM |
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ABCiverson
<3 my family
Member since 1/06 7465 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Booster / Convertible Car Seats
How old is your child? You will need a rear facing convertible seat if under 1(the longer you can keep them rear facing the safer they will be)My DS is almost 2 and still rear facing with no problems. My 5 and 6 year olds are still in convertibles(forward facing), by far the safest option.
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| Posted 1/16/13 9:31 PM |
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cantwait41
LIF Zygote
Member since 7/11 43 total posts
Name:
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Re: Booster / Convertible Car Seats
My baby's 10 months...but less than 20 lbs...this is all so helpful- thanks!
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| Posted 1/17/13 3:38 PM |
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ny55angel
car seat tech & geek :-)
Member since 2/06 4346 total posts
Name:
P
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Booster / Convertible Car Seats
At 10 months you should be looking for a convertible car seat that can go rear facing. Personally I have an evenflo symphony and love it. You can have it rear facing up to 40 pounds, use it forward facing with harnesses up to 65 pounds and then use it as a high back booster with the cars seatbelt up to 100 pounds. It has an adjustable headrest so it can be used until a child is older then other seats. The LATCH system is super easy to use and adjust so the seat is tight enough.
The new recommendation is to keep a child rear facing until at least two years old. This is mainly because their neck muscles are more developed and will hopefully be able to withstand the pressure from an impact better then a younger child. Even when a child who is rear facing has their legs touching the back of the seat, it is safer then turning them forward. They are safer during an impact rear facing.
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| Posted 1/17/13 3:53 PM |
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Traysee
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/10 652 total posts
Name:
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Booster / Convertible Car Seats
Im in the same boat as you, I wanted to move my girls out of the infant seat and into a convertible. They are 22 and 28 lbs. I have them in Graco Keyfit 30 infant seats. My mom bought them Britax Advocate 70 G3 convertibles. They are supposed to be one of the best for safety. You can google for other good seats. I am actually having a problem with them, I can't rear face them. If I do I can't use the front seats of my truck (avalanche). So I took them out and put them back in the keyfits until they can no longer rear face. Right now they still fit the infant seats rear facing. When their legs get longer I will put them in the other seats. It stinks because I feel like even though the britax are much better seats rear facing in less good seats is better for them that front facing in much better seats.
So I guess what I am saying is, unless your LO is not fitting in her infant seat rear facing or has hit the weight maximum for the seat I would wait until she can front face then buy one of the better seats.
Also, I would find the seat I want and then check albeebaby.com or diapers.com to see if they have it on sale. I got my britax seats for 30% off (MSRP was 379.) I got them for $265.00 during one of their very frequent sales.
I would google 2012 safety ratings for convertible car seats and see what comes up then go to youtube and check out some reviews if you can find them.
They won't be ready for booster seats for several years.
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| Posted 1/17/13 4:45 PM |
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