Overwhelmed again! can someone tell me the newest, best boosters?

[cdlamis]

It seems like I am in this forum every few years and overwhelmed by all the new info and models. :)

Julia is 5 yrs old, 46 inches (am guessing but I know she is taller than 44") and 48 lbs. She is just about to outgrow her Marathon by height and will need a high back booster soon. I figure we have a few more months but I want to start researching now.

So, for her age, what is the best and most comfy out there? I assumed it was the Parkway but it seems like many kids complain about their legs just hanging off the egde.

Any suggestions?
TIA~

Daniella
Mom to Julia 6/02
and Bella 12/04
"http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_sapphire_24m.gif"

[Joolsplus2]

If you think you can keep her in her MA till February, and the seat comes out in time, then the Sunshine Kids Monterey is going to be a super option...very adjustable and has flexible LATCH to hold it in. Otherwise, the Compass B510 (MUST be the B510, it has much better side impact protection than the other models) is a great, leg-supportive choice. Since you can hand it down, the Parkway may actually be a great choice for now...it fits younger kids very well, and is SO easy to buckle, I wouldn't rule it out (my ds didn't not like it till he was 9, and even before then it was a simple matter to give him a small plastic footstool to rest his legs on). Recaro Vivo or Vivo Lite are also very nice options (same seat, different covers, slightly).

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/Leah.aspx

[cdlamis]

Thanks for the quick response- as always!

I just posted another post about trying to fit 3 car seats in my Civic. It is not a necessity but since I'd like to keep my car, I'd like to try and get the narrowest seats. Will the new Monterey be as narrow as the Radian? Is there/will there be anything more narrow than the Radian?

Thanks SO much!
Daniella
Mom to Julia 6/02
and Bella 12/04
"http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_sapphire_24m.gif"

[801kelle]

Here is some info on boosters:

If you want to keep your child in a 5 point harness:
Here are some things to consider:

The NHTSA now recommends that children stay in appropriate car seats through 8 years, 80 pounds, or up to 4'9". Many states have amended their laws to follow these guidelines.

Here is info comparing a 5 pt harness booster car seat to a booster seat you use a vehicle seat belt with:

Safety advantages over securing your child in a booster seat using the adult seatbelt:


* The crash forces are spread over the skeletal body

over five points rather than three.


* The crash forces are spread to the strongest parts

of the child's body.

* Forward head excursion (the distance the head is

thrown forward) are lessened.

* The child is secured in the correct seating position rather

than being able to wiggle around, lean forward etc.

Here is link to website this quote came from:

http://www.kyledavidmiller.org/pages/4211/Car_Seat_Safety:_5-point_Harness_is_Safest.htm


I have a Britax Regent.. it goes to 53inches tall and 80 lbs.

I have heard good things about the Recaro Vivo too.

Some good sites that talk about booster seats:

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/BoosterShop.aspx

http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm

http://www.seatcheck.org/

www.britaxusa.com

http://www.aap.org/family/OneMiuteSafetySeats.pdf


Car seat study:

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-01/esv/esv19/05-0258-O.pdf


HOPE THIS HELPS!

[801kelle]

Here is another site:

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/BoosterShop.aspx

[supercalifragilous]

DD is almost outgrowing her MA too (our backup) but now she's back in her Safeguard Seat, which she'll be in for a while. I'm anxiously awaiting the Recaro Signo to come out to replace the backup MA, but once she outgrows all those, my plan is to put her in a Britax Regent. I want to keep her in 5-point as long as possible. Hopefully by then (it should be years), maybe Britax will add TSIP to their Regent!! :)

I remember reading here that a 5-point booster with minimal SIP (Regent) is safer than a regular booster (using car seatbelt) with TSIP. Does that still ring true CPS techs?

[Joolsplus2]

Yup, the deep foam covered sides, solid blow molded shell, and inherent safety of the harness in a Regent are STILL better SIP than the three points of protection a booster offers :)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/Leah.aspx