When to move to booster seat?

[Bellini12]

My DD1 is 3 years 3 months, 16kg and quite tall for her age. I was going to move her to a booster seat as DD2 is now 12 months and easily ready to move into forward facing car seat, therefore I was hoping she would move into the Maxi Cosi Priori that my elder daughter currently uses.

However, on advice from the man in Halfords, he said the Maxi Cosi Priori is designed for up to 4 years and we really shouldn't consider a booster seat before this (apparently you don't go on the height/weight of the child but the anatomical development i.e. their muscles and bones that are not mature enough before age 4).

I'm very confused as other friends have moved their younger children into booster seats already. Obviously I aim to use the safest option, but it seems a lot to spend £100+ on an identical car seat for only a few months.

Anyone else have this issue?

[LittleHarrysMum]

Yes me! And have all the same questions as you so shall watch this with interest!

Sorry no help

[ChopsTheDuck]

what you need to get is a 9-36kg seat. So your elder dd can still have a 5 point harness, but the seat can then go on to be used as a highbacked booster with the adult seatbelt, then finally jsut a booster cushion. here

I wouldnt jsut go for a booster seat yet. Mine went in those at 4 1/2. I think irrc they need to be 15kg.

[sazm]

keep your youngest in their rearfacing seat a bit longer (until they reach the max weight), then buy your 3yo a highbacked booster,

[Romanarama]

As long as the baby's head is not poking right out of the rear-facing one she's safer in that anyway. See if you can keep it going 6 months as you are. Or see if any friends have got cast offs.

[cleanandclothed]

Would second staying with the rear facing seat as long as possible. Have you seen www.rearfacing.co.uk ? I have just got a rearfacing seat for ds that should last him to 25kg. So check weight/height restrictions on dd2's seat and hopefully keep as you are for a few months more.

[Bellini12]

Thanks everyone, I had no idea you could even buy 9-36kg seats so at least will be getting my money's worth! Will look into that.

DD2 has already exceeded the weight for the rear-facing seat and her feet are pressed against the actual car seat so defo think it is time to upgrade. Luckily I've now just been lent a 2nd hand (but reliable source) car seat for DD2 (and quite like the idea that the kids can now see each other properly). Will use this for a while then look to upgrade the older child's seat.