When is it time for a new car seat? (This is a general list - rules for your seat may be different. Always read your owner's manual!)
Your child is too big to rear-face (RF) in their convertible seat when a) they reach the RF weight limit, or b) the top of their head reaches the top of the seat.
Your child is too big for the convertible seat (forward facing) when a) they reach the weight limit or b) the tops of his/her ears reach the top of the seat or c) his/her shoulders are at the level of the highest strap slots
Car seat inspections Car Seat Inspection Stations - click on "Find a technciain".
Get your seat inspected!!!! A majority of car seats are incorrectly installed! An incorrectly installed seat is not safe! Even if you think you did it right, GET IT INSPECTED!!!
Highest Slot heights for various car seats:
Roundabout - 15.5"
Safeguard Seat - 19.5"
Triumph Advance - 17"
Radian (65 or 80) - 18" (manufacturer allows continued use with the shoulders up to 1" over the top slots)
Marathon - 17.5 inches
Apex65 - 17 inches
Graco Nautilus - 18 inches
Regent - 20 inches
If you are about to purchase a car seat and would like to assist a good cause at the same time, please consider purchasing from http://www.hipmonkey.com. This website is the sister site to the Kyle David Miller Foundation (http://www.kyledavidmiller.org) who donate car seats to families in need. Besides car seats by Britax, Sunshine Kids, Recaro and SafeSeat, the site also has other child care items - e.g. slings, diaper bags, nursing covers etc. ALL profits from the sale of ALL items go directly to the foundation
Master Car Seat / Booster Seat thread for older kids
Hi all, I noticed there is definitely a carseat thread for the 0-12 month set, but I was searching for a convertible seat/booster seat thread for those of us with kids between 2-4 or so....
The reason being is that we have the Graco ComfortSport, and it seems we're getting to where it may be too small? We're at the top holes of the shoulder straps, and it just looks to me like we may have to "upgrade" at some point soon? I guess I imagined this convertible seat to last longer - it just seems like we haven't had it very long! DS is comfortable and isn't complaining, but I was curious.
Does anyone have recs on the next step up? My son will be 2 in 2 months and is about 26 lbs, maybe close to 31.5 - 32" tall.
Master Car Seat/Booster Seat thread for older kids?
Hi all, I noticed there is definitely a carseat thread for the 0-12 month set, but I was searching for a convertible seat/booster seat thread for those of us with kids between 2-4 or so....
The reason being is that we have the Graco ComfortSport, and it seems we're getting to where it may be too small? We're at the top holes of the shoulder straps, and it just looks to me like we may have to "upgrade" at some point soon? I guess I imagined this convertible seat to last longer - it just seems like we haven't had it very long! DS is comfortable and isn't complaining, but I was curious.
Does anyone have recs on the next step up? My son will be 2 in 2 months and is about 26 lbs, maybe close to 31.5 - 32" tall.
Master Car Seat/Booster Seat thread for older kids?
Hi all, I noticed there is definitely a carseat thread for the 0-12 month set, but I was searching for a convertible seat/booster seat thread for those of us with kids between 2-4 or so....
The reason being is that we have the Graco ComfortSport, and it seems we're getting to where it may be too small? We're at the top holes of the shoulder straps, and it just looks to me like we may have to "upgrade" at some point soon? I guess I imagined this convertible seat to last longer - it just seems like we haven't had it very long! DS is comfortable and isn't complaining, but I was curious.
Does anyone have recs on the next step up? My son will be 2 in 2 months and is about 26 lbs, maybe close to 31.5 - 32" tall.
Master Car Seat/Booster Seat thread for older kids?
Hi all, I noticed there is definitely a carseat thread for the 0-12 month set, but I was searching for a convertible seat/booster seat thread for those of us with kids between 2-4 or so....
The reason being is that we have the Graco ComfortSport, and it seems we're getting to where it may be too small? We're at the top holes of the shoulder straps, and it just looks to me like we may have to "upgrade" at some point soon? I guess I imagined this convertible seat to last longer - it just seems like we haven't had it very long! DS is comfortable and isn't complaining, but I was curious.
Does anyone have recs on the next step up? My son will be 2 in 2 months and is about 26 lbs, maybe close to 31.5 - 32" tall.
Master Car Seat/Booster Seat thread for older kids?
Hi all, I noticed there is definitely a carseat thread for the 0-12 month set, but I was searching for a convertible seat/booster seat thread for those of us with kids between 2-4 or so....
The reason being is that we have the Graco ComfortSport, and it seems we're getting to where it may be too small? We're at the top holes of the shoulder straps, and it just looks to me like we may have to "upgrade" at some point soon? I guess I imagined this convertible seat to last longer - it just seems like we haven't had it very long! DS is comfortable and isn't complaining, but I was curious.
Does anyone have recs on the next step up? My son will be 2 in 2 months and is about 26 lbs, maybe close to 31.5 - 32" tall.
What is the height/weight limit on the Graco ComfortSport?
That's one reason we went with the Marathon. Yes, we knew it was pricier than we necessarily wanted to spend (although, I searched and ended up with a super deal, bringing it down to the range of the other seats). We'll likely end up with another Marathon soon (when I find a great price again!) for DHs truck. We've talked about getting a different seat (the Cosco Scenara, since it's super cheap), but figure we can use the Marathon for the next baby too (and while we may have to buy another one because of a time expire issue, it would still be a good seat to have for now).
The ComfortSport convertible car seat can be used rear-facing for infants up to 30 lbs and can be used forward-facing for children 20 to 40 lbs and up to 40 inches tall. The top of the child's ears must be below the top edge of convertible car seat and child's shoulders must not be above top harness slots.
I'll have to check exactly where he's falling w/ the shoulder straps and ear height.
I did the "car seat finder" option on their site, and it came up with this:
The Graco® Platinum CarGo™ youth booster car seat is to be used forward-facing only, for children over one year. When using the Platinum CarGo™ youth booster car seat with its harness, the car seat may be used by children 20 to 40 lbs and between 27 and 43 inches tall. When using the Platinum CarGo™ youth booster car seat without its harness, as a belt positioning booster, the car seat may be used by children 30 to 100 lbs and between 35" and 54" tall.
I can always put away our ComfortSport for a future baby since it can be an infant seat, too.
By buying the newer Graco, you aren't going to get any more weight out of it, though. I know they grow less after the first year, but I guess that would be one concern I'd have with it.
The reason being is that we have the Graco ComfortSport, and it seems we're getting to where it may be too small? We're at the top holes of the shoulder straps, and it just looks to me like we may have to "upgrade" at some point soon? I guess I imagined this convertible seat to last longer - it just seems like we haven't had it very long! DS is comfortable and isn't complaining, but I was curious.
Interesting that you posted this. My DD is complaining about her ComfortSport, which MIL gave to us when she moved. My DD is tall and I think the seat just isn't comfortable for her. We have a Marathon in our other car and she always asks to ride in that car, which, seeing as DP drops off and I pick up, isn't an option.
I think we're going to get a Britax Regent, which is FF only and goes up to 80lbs. Now if only I could find one on super sale.
Master Car seat / booster seat thread
DS is comfortable and isn't complaining, but I was curious.
Originally Posted by ktdelsur
