Booster Seats - Which do you recommend

[Kirstlea]

We have been looking at various booster seats for our dd who will be 4yrs old by the time she needs one. (3 1/2 now and only 13kgs) We figure by the time the new baby moves from the capsule dd will be big enough for a booster seat.

Our problem is which type to buy. We are a little skeptical of the polystrene type as we don't think they would last very long, we don't like the little seat and so far have only found 1x hard shell booster seat (mother choice) that we feel comfortable with.

We also don't think the polystrene type would be very protective.

All opinions are very welcome and if anyone knows of other products please let me know.

[Lirael]

i can 100% recommend the safe and sound maxi riderII (http://http://www.britax.com.au/Websites/Business/brproddb.nsf/LUPages/Child%20Car%20Seats-Maxi%20Rider%20II):thumbsup:

I have one for DD(11kilos 2 yrs old) and one for DS(17 kilos almost 4 yrs old) they are like a normal carseat in that they made out of same stuff, hook into your car, have a 5 point harness to be used up to 18 kilos, can recline, can be used with a H harness once child is over 28 kilos so safer than just a seatbelt, they have an 'anti submarine' clip to stop child from sliding out in an accident. used from 8-26 kilos.

the HIPOD booster only clips into car it is not suitable from 8 kilos and you can NOT use a harness.(it came first in safety test,maxiriderII came close second but they failed to mention the HIPOD cant be used with a harness.)its also ALOT cheaper. i looked at both and the maxirider won me over its just so great:yes:

ther are $359 or $299 from www.babyonabudget.com.au (http://www.babyonabudget.com.au) well worth it though and make sure its the MaxiriderII as the origional is not as good safety wise.

(ps im in no way affiliated with either company)

[Kirstlea]

Cel, thanks for your input.

Just checked it out on the website. I'll have to take dd into a shop and sit her in one as I think I tried something like the Maxi rider in a shop the other day but her head was already level with the top of the seat. Unless of course it wasn't the II version.

Once again thanks :thumbsup:

Kirsten

[LucyE]

I don't think you can judge a booster seat on just the criteria you have listed alone. I think it would be better if you named the specific seats you are looking at.

As Cel mentioned, the MaxiRider II has the 5 point harness which can be used until 18kgs. From then you can use the H harness (I think S'n'S call it the 'Protecta' harness). Basically the H harness makes a normal seat belt as safe as a 5 point harness but is just a bit more fiddly to use. One of the differences between the MaxiRider I and II is that the newer model allows for the H harness to be used while the seat is still bolted to the anchor point. In the MaxiRider I, to use the H harness you couldn't use the anchor strap and therefore had a very heavy seat only being held in by the seatbelt which isn't very safe in an accident due to the forward force of the accident plus the seat on your child. Safety-wise, the MRII also has better side wing head support.

However, if your DD will be over 14kgs by the time you need it, I would recommend the Safe'n'Sound Pegasus. It is a polystyrene seat I believe, but that's a good thing because it is lighter and therefore in the event of an accident won't add extra forward force to your child. It can be used with an H harness and has the anti-submarining clip which is very important to prevent a child slipping down and out from under the seat belt. Again, it has excellent side wing protection for the head and it's also the tallest booster seat on the market meaning you will get a lot of life out of it making good value for money.

The Hipod has received a lot of mentions lately because it came out on top in the latest (2006) RACV crash tests but as Cel mentioned, it can NOT be used with the H harness and I also believe it doesn't actually clip into the anchor point either. It is only held in place by the seatbelt which also goes around the child with no 'anti submarining' clip. This is not one I would put my child into.

The two S'n'S I've mentioned are the only booster seats I would put DS into (we are currently looking into buying one with the upcomming arrival of #2). Be wary of the advertising of some of the booster seats, some will claim to have 'anti submarining' technology but that just means the seat is cut away at the waist more to make the seat belt hold firmer. It doesn't actually mean it has a clip to prevent slipping but just reduces the likelihood of it. I would steer clear of any 'small' seats because of the risk of the child having a growth spurt and getting too tall for it.

Another option, is to purchase an inexpensive yet still very safe forward facing carseat for your DD such as a Safe'n'Sound SafeGuard or 3 Series until she is 18kgs and then move her to a booster seat. It all comes down to personal choice in the end. I would do a lot of independent research (sorry too lazy to find the link to the RACV crash test but it has been mentioned on BubHub heaps lately) and not just trust a sales person at a baby store. More often than not, I've found they utter complete nonsense.

Oh, and all carseats/boosters that I've seen have come with the recommendation that they be destroyed after 8-10 years so I don't think it for longevity, it matters if you go with a hard shell or polystyrene. It should be tossed before the plastic/polystyrene perishes anyway.

[Lirael]

well said lucyE i can never get all of wat i want to say out properly lol!

[Kirstlea]

LucyE

Your post is very informative, thank you so much.

The reason I have only polled for the info that I have is because my main concern is the difference between polystrene and hard shell.

Your post has raised some new concerns for me but thats good as I really want to research this well.

Cost is not an issue for me only safety.

I haven't really taken an interest in the brands as yet because I was more concerned about the material if you know what I mean.

I have also made enquiries with QLD ambulance and am waiting for the Fire Service to also ring me back as I feel these people are the ones who see first hand how safe a booster really is.

The seat I have dd in now (can't remember the brand :o ) will take her to 18kgs but the problem is her height, I think she might be too tall by the time she gets to 18kgs hence us looking at other options. Also with bubs #2 on the way we thought we would use the current seat for #2 once they grow out of the capsule.

Anyway thank you once again - I value everyone's information its great:yelclap:

Kirsten

[LucyE]

Cost is not an issue for me only safety.
Same here :) DS is only 13kgs now and I was hoping to hold out until he hits 14kgs to buy the Pegasus but I think we have decided to just buy the MaxiRider even though it costs nearly 3 times as much :eek:


I haven't really taken an interest in the brands as yet because I was more concerned about the material if you know what I mean.
I do understand what you mean but in Oz where they all have to meet a certain minimum standard, I think brands become important since all seats are made of pretty much the same stuff eg. given the choice between a Babylove, MotherChoice or Safe'n'Sound plastic carseat, I'd go with the S'n'S (as a general rule of thumb) because their designs are better using the same basic components.


I have also made enquiries with QLD ambulance and am waiting for the Fire Service to also ring me back as I feel these people are the ones who see first hand how safe a booster really is.
Along with the link to the latest RACV crash tests, I think I've posted links in the past to NSW RTA real life studies of crash results. One of the things that's stood out in my memory is the benefits of the S'n'S protecta harness which is designed so that it can not move up and get caught around a child's neck in the even of an accident.

There's just so many things to consider when you want to do what's best for your child that it can get mind boggling sometimes. Good luck with your hunt and let us know what you find out from QAS and FS.

Oh, and I do not have any affilliation with S'n'S either :p

[cwsmum]

DS has been in one of the polystyrene type seats since DD was born, we used used the carseat for DD from the start, (capsules don't fit too well in our car, especially not with DH, who is over 6foot, with no license so always in the passenger seat).

One thing I did notice when we got the seat for DS was that some have velcro strips on the sides to keep the seatbelt off the childs neck and others have a strap that comes from behind the child that you hook the seatbelt thru to keep it in the correct position. The ones with the velcro actually keep the belt from touching the child at all, coz of where they are positioned on the seat, and the childs upper body would not be restrained at all if you stopped suddenly.
The seat we have doesn't have the anti-submarining thing, but we have never had any probs with DS sliding down in the seat, it's shaped so his bottom is a little lower than his legs, and he sleeps heaps in the car...never anywhere else tho...I know this might still be an issue if we were in an accident, but hopefully we never have to find out :)

[Mamaduke]

However, if your DD will be over 14kgs by the time you need it, I would recommend the Safe'n'Sound Pegasus. It is a polystyrene seat I believe, but that's a good thing because it is lighter and therefore in the event of an accident won't add extra forward force to your child. It can be used with an H harness and has the anti-submarining clip which is very important to prevent a child slipping down and out from under the seat belt. Again, it has excellent side wing protection for the head and it's also the tallest booster seat on the market meaning you will get a lot of life out of it making good value for money.

Just bought 2 of the Pegasus Deluxe for the boys...fantastic!!
Both of the boys are around 21kgs and both over 104cm tall - Lukey's 2 and Jesse's 5 and they've got heaps of room to 'grow into' (heightwise) with these seats.
They also have the seat belt clip that clips over the child's shoulder (interchangeable and on elastic for 'give') so that the seat belt doesn't end up sitting under their chin. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: for the Pegasus!

[Kirstlea]

Just bought 2 of the Pegasus Deluxe for the boys...fantastic!!
Both of the boys are around 21kgs and both over 104cm tall - Lukey's 2 and Jesse's 5 and they've got heaps of room to 'grow into' (heightwise) with these seats.
They also have the seat belt clip that clips over the child's shoulder (interchangeable and on elastic for 'give') so that the seat belt doesn't end up sitting under their chin. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: for the Pegasus!

Hi Mamaduke

Is the Pegasus Deluxe Booster - Trakker able to accommodate a Harness? Or is that the other Pegasus Booster.

LucyE mentions being able to use a Harness but not sure which one.

Kirst

[LucyE]

Me again :p They're the same basic booster seat, the deluxe version just has plushier fabric and other stuff which doesn't affect the safety of it (positive or negative).

[Lirael]

the britax(S&S) website says the maxiriderII is the highest backrest of any booster seat or toddler seat, i think the pegasus is the tallest booster on the market made of polystyrene.

[little mermaid]

I have the Maxi Rider and the Safe n Sound Advantage. The advantage is a booster seat that anchors in to the car but also has a place on the back of the seat to anchor a H harness. It has an anti submarine clip and can be reclined or sit up straight. I love it!!!! From memory it cost me between $150 and $180

[Lirael]

I cant find the safe and sound advantage:confused: how old is it??

[little mermaid]

I cant find the safe and sound advantage:confused: how old is it??

Hey Cel,
My advantage would be a pretty close to 3 years old now, I have a feeling they may not be making them anymore since the new model of the maxi rider came out. You can still buy them at some baby shops here in Perth but they are not on the Safe n Sound web site anymore as far as I know.

[Kirstlea]

Hi Ladies

Just wanted to say thanks for your advice and ideas and to update you on my info from the ambulance and fire service.

I spoke to a paramedic and an actual fireman so as to get the gos from the horses mouth as they say :)

Both of them said as long as it has an Australian Standard Sticker on it they are good.

The fireman said that the problem wasn't the seats so much it was how they are fitted. If they are not fitted properly we are wasting our time using them. His other comment was that children must be secured tightly, that he found where most injuries occur was when the harness or seatbelt was too loose.

So there we have it - I still think I would prefer the hardshell type anyway, it has to be easier to keep clean. :rolleyes:

Thanks again

Kirsten

[LucyE]

I'm digging up an old thread I know, but I've just found out that Safe'n'Sound are/have brought out a new booster seat which has a hard shell and many of the benefits of the Pegasus (including anti-sub clip). Just another option :) It's pretty new and I didn't see it on their website recently but our babystore had one on display and S'n'S told me the release date was back in August.