Question about convertable seats vs. booster seats

[dueinapril]

I have a boy that will be turning 2 in April; we will be adding a new baby to the family in April as well. As soon as the younger child is out of the infant carrier, I would like to transfer him to the current seat I use on my older son (Britax Marathon). Someone told me that at that point I could put my older son, who will be about 28 mos. at this point, into a booster seat with a 5 point harness. She told me that I didn't need to go buy a 'roundabout' deal b/c my older son will be forward facing. So, is this true? Do all booster seats come with 5 point harnesses? Any suggestions of what to look for? Thank you!!!

[Joolsplus2]

That's true. Unless you want to rearface him again, there's no need to pay for that feature in the Marathon. There are lots of "combo" seats (harnessed that become a belt-positioner) that are fine. You *may* be disappointed in the lack of quality and comfort they have compared to the Roundabout, and that would be one reason to go with the Marathon, but if your budget is more limited, and you find a seat that fits your car and your child, then it's a safe choice.
http://www.car-safety.org/carseats.html (bottom half of page)

Remember, too, it's really safest to keep kids harnessed till at least age 4 (for maturity and skeletal development), so if you think either of your children will be forty pounds before then, then the Marathon would be a better choice, given the higher harness weight rating.

Hope that helps :)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[dueinapril]

Sorry for being so lost on this... if I am understanding this right, it seems like you have said that 'combo' seats come with a harness that turns into a belt positioner, yet later you say that if my son won't be 40lbs., he is safeer in a harness, therefore, stick with a Marathon. I thought you said the combo seats have a harness?? Sorry for being so lost on this one!! I doubt he will be 40lbs. at that point and I want the safest option w/out spending for needless features. Sorry! Can you help clarify though! Thank you~

[Joolsplus2]

Yes, combo seats have a harness, but the harness only goes up to 40 pounds...at which point you remove the harness, and use the seat as a booster. "average" kids hit 40 pounds around age 4, but kids in higher percentiles for weight, hit 40 pounds at age 3.5 or younger, as young as 2 or 2.5....in which case, they are far to young to be unharnessed and using the seat as a booster.

If you have average or thin kids, then a seat that only harnesses to 40 pounds is fine. But if you have chubbier kiddos, you need a seat with a higher harness weight rating to keep them harnessed to age 4.

Is that any clearer?..I hope so! I hate to be confusing!


Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[dueinapril]

So, since he will be under 40 lbs., I can still get a booster with a 5 point harness and use that until .... when? Until he hits 40lbs. or more? I don't mind using a harness for a long time... I just want to be sure he is safe and I would like to buy a booster seat (if appropriate) to save $$. Do I have the concept right? If so, what exactly am I looking for? A "COMBO booster seat"? If I am searching for one on the internet, what is the common name for them? Thank you so much!! Also, if you have any recommendations, that would be awesome! Thank you!

[Joolsplus2]

Right, you could get a combo seat and use it till he hits 40 pounds. If he's four at that point, using it as a booster would be fine.
Here's the link to the Combo boosters again (bottom half of page... http://www.car-safety.org/carseats.html )

Any one of those is great, just pick the one you find easiest to use and fits best in your car and on your son :)

Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx