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Original poster

Please help me .. getting all confused on car seats for almost 4 year old

16 replies

Twiglett · 18/10/2004 08:57

DS is 3.8 .. he's still in his britax rennaissance .. I don't know what to move him into

Part of me thinks to stick with a 5 point harness ..because he doesn't complain about it .. if so which seats are best?

Another part remembers reading a report on the Maxi Cosi Rodi (and Kiddicare has a good deal) but I'm sure that uses an adult seat-belt

And another part thinks just get a simple booster and one of those clips that means you can use an adult seat-belt

I don't know what to do for the best and my head is spinning

Please .. what did you do?

and what should I do?

(I don't want to spend money on something that will only last a year)

OP posts:

Bagpuss30 · 18/10/2004 09:06

We have a Britax super cruiser for our ds who was 4 last week. He has had it since February and has been fine with the adult belt. The reason I chose it over other high back boosters is that the adult belt goes through a locking clip at the shoulder which means they can't wriggle out! The super cruiser is supposed to last until the age of about 6 I believe but I think we will probably buy a booster cushion for him when he starts school next September. HTH

BTW, nice to see you back Twiglett

WigWamBam · 18/10/2004 09:10

We had to get a new one when dd outgrew her Britax aged about three. We have gone for a Recaro Sport, which will last her until she's about 11 (if we can convince her to use ot for so long!). We couldn't find one with a five point harness, the Recaro uses the adult seat belt through a tensioner, so that the belt remains in a fixed position and can't be let out.

It was quite expensive, but it's comfortable and came out top of the safety reports my husband found.

LIZS · 18/10/2004 09:14

Britax do one - the Elite - which has a 5 point harness but could be used up until around 6 yrs old. Details are here .

We moved our ds at around the same age into a Maxi Cosi Rodi without problem and have been very happy with it. Because of the side wings on the seat he cannot easily access the belt release, especially since ours are well sunk between the seats and the head rest is height adjustable so the shoulder belt is guided through at shoulder level.

smellymelly · 18/10/2004 09:20

Hi Twiglett - nice to see you!

I have the graco junior boosters with backs, until I read the which report, which scared the life out of me. So I bought the Maxi Cosi Rodi XP, which has a glowing which report, it is the XP version though which is different to the rodi. It supposedly has better side impact protection etc.

I got mine from Kiddicare, but I'm not sure if they have any of the XpP's left now.

They suit from 3.5 I think, from 15 - 36kg.

I tried a basic booster cushion, when DS was 3 , and it was awful. The manufacturers actually recommend using a backed seat until the age of about 6 or 7. By the age of about 3.5 a child should be ok to use an adult seatbelt through a bcked carseat as they position the belt better past their neck, you then have to trust the child not to undo it, or slip out of it. The first time ds did it I shouted at him so loud he never did it again, and I feel he is safe enough.

It is a big step to go from a proper harness to a seatbelt, but you are definitely doing the right thing.

You wouldn't believe how many children I see at ds's school, (just started) who have no carseats at all, and look so dangerous in the front or back seat with just an adult seatbelt on.

Marina · 18/10/2004 09:51

Twig, we were reluctant to move our little chap straight from the security of his Renaissance to a seat booster with adult belt, he is not that tall. We have bought a Britax Kid which can apparently be used up to 11. It does use an adult belt but it has a back and good side impact protection, especially for the head and neck.
I am not sure you will find anything with a 5-point harness much beyond aged 5. We are truly very happy with the Kid and so is ds. Its seat raises him enough to have a lap tray with compartments each side for toys/drink etc.

Marina · 18/10/2004 09:52

It was a toss-up between the Kid and the older child Maxi Cosi that Smellymelly has btw. I think they are the two best on the market...

Yorkiegirl · 18/10/2004 09:55

Message withdrawn

BooMama · 18/10/2004 10:17

We have the maxi cosi rodi for our 4 year old and think it's great. He can't reach the buckle and let himself out which several of his friends on booster seats do. the back rest is detachable so when h' bigger and only needs a booster seat it will work for that as well.
It was odd when we first put him in it as he is much lower down, almost at seat level. Make sure your son is tall enough so that the seat belt won't sit too high across the chest.

Original poster

Twiglett · 18/10/2004 12:56

Just ordered a Maxi Cosi Rodi XP from Kiddicare

thanks all

At least I've made a decision

Hope it fits in the car now ..

OP posts:

scotlou · 18/10/2004 13:40

I realise I'm too late now as you've already ordered a seat - but when ds was about 3 we bought a Britax Trio - it has a removable 5 point harness so you can then use it with the adult seat belt - it also converts to a booster when they're older. It was more pricey - but we thought it worth the cash. I think the advice is to keep them in a 5 point harness as long as possible - then move them to a seat that takes the adult belt before moving them to the booster when they're tall / heavy enough.

smellymelly · 18/10/2004 14:08

well done Twiglett

ooooh someone has actually taken my advice!! I feel all sanctimonious!! (even though I can't spell!)

suedonim · 18/10/2004 14:20

We've just bought the Maxi Cosi Rodi XP for 8yo dd, Twiglett, and are v pleased with it. I know many children don't have seats at that age but we do a lot of long journeys (we drove over 600 miles yesterday and she didn't whinge once, bless her) and dd is much more comfortable in a seat. It raises her up so she can see out and I like the side impact protection aspect, too.

Original poster

Twiglett · 18/10/2004 21:56

excellent .. thanks suedonim .. that's really good to hear

OP posts:

BosworthBear · 20/10/2004 13:15

I've got the Maxi Cosi Rosi too, but I have one question! Should the seat belt tighten when DD moves about so that she is restrained or does it only get tight in an accident?

KateandtheGirls · 20/10/2004 13:26

BB, I don't know that particular seat, but if it's like my daughter's booster seat the belt can move freely just like an adult's, and then will tighten if yanked on (as if in an accident). The point of the booster is to raise the child up and to position the seat belt so that it's in the right position. How old is your daughter? If you're concerned about her moving about maybe she isn't old enough for this kind of seat yet.

LIZS · 20/10/2004 13:37

The belt on the Rodi is free until there is a sudden stop so like on an adult it will tighten in an accident. Some like the Britax Supercruiser do lock at the shoulder but this tends to be on seats designed for younger toddlers, ie. the 9kg plus ones, which use the adult belt.

hth

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