Car seats - from convertible to booster - when?

[Tess]

Hi
My daughter is 17mths old but has nearly outgrown our convertible car seat (up to 18kgs) through weight and height. I am worried about putting her in a booster seat as they have no straps other than the car seat and I feel she is too young to stay put.

Can anyone give me some advice - is there an intermediate seat out there for big, but young babies?

Thanks, Tess.

[Mak]

Tess - I have a 3yo who is 19kg and over 105cm tall. I shopped around and have ended up with a Vario Kid Max by Secure used with a Protecta Harness (it is an adjustable H harness) - this combo scored highest in recent safety testing (RACV/NRMA - results/report available on Choice website for free).
I was completely put off as this seat was considerably cheaper than main competitor (well under $180 including harness) - but I am very happy with it. I was concerned that the lack of a middle clip (as on a 5 point harness) would allow her to slip under the belt and out of the seat but it is simply not possible.
One thing I had not realised until I started reading was that the multiple use seats (ie convertable ->booster) often are safer in one form not necessarily both and that the 5 point harness often needs to be replaced with a 5 point harness in some of these seats when the child hits 18kg anyway.
You can get great deals on these seats at the moment - I was really lucky and got 2 for under $140. Amazing! Watch out for the big baby stores as they seemed quite keen to push one brand only....

Good luck on your hunt - I hope this info helps you BUT it is only my experience!

[Rach75]

get yourself a SS maxi rider

[Liviam]

I've just got Liv a Safe and Sound Maxi Rider AHR. It has a fully convertable harness which can take a baby from 8kg to 26kg. The AHR is "Active Head Restraint" which is for side impact head protection incase of an accident and it is adjustable in height so they can be in the seat for longer. It exceeds safety recommendations. On a side note it's so cute with it's little arm rests and cup holders. Liv loves it and no-one is allowed to put her arm rests up or down except her. She is so protective. Have a shop around darl and research what works for your DD.
There are the foam booster seats available but they have to be over 14kg to use these.

[Visitor7]

Another Safe n Sound Maxi Rider user here as well That's what I'd recommend

[Sequoia]

How much are the SS Maxi Rider's? DS is 14 months old and about 11kgs and I wondered what the next seat would be for him. What is the minimum weight requirement? TIA!

[Mak]

Sequoia - Mazi riders ~$300 and Maxi Rider AHR (has adjustable head rest) $350. The 5 point harness needs to be replaced with the Protecta Harness ($50-$70 depending on sales etc) when your child is 18kg. From memory I think there recommended weights 9kg-26kg. Apparently there are new seats coming (or current seats recommendations) upgraded to 36kg to cover new legistation in regards to car seats.

Good luck!

[Liviam]

I have just brought my DD her S&S Maxi Rider AHR from Baby Gallery in Clayton and it was $359. It can take weights 8kg to 26kg. It has the full 5 point harness same as her convertible seat and it can be converted to take just a seatbealt when she is older. She loves her new seat.

[Sequoia]

Thanks for the info girls.

[Saffi]

Theres new laws coming out in November which states that children up to 7 years must be restrained in an appropriate car seat. Have a look at the motoring association website in your state for more info.

Choosing the seat that will last up to 7 years of age might be more cost effective in the end.

[Pinny-mum]

Hi there, I too didn't want to put DD in to a booster with H- harness, so after lots of investigating I finally decided on a Maxi Rider- Safe & sound, not cheap but if you consider they will now be in them unitl 7 years, works out not to be that expensive at all.

Good Luck with the search, There are some great specials on at the moment too being EOFYS

[Tess]

Hi
Okay you have convinced me - I have just purchased a Safe n Sound Maxi Rider AHR. I was very cheeky and went to the bubs shop to try the seat in my husbands car (Barina). Then I told them I was going to buy it from the bubs website as it was $90.00 cheaper.

I am going to get a second one later on for the new bub but at $368.00 each I think that might have to wait a couple of paydays!!

Thanks for your help. Tess

[Rach75]

tess can you PM me the website the cheapest I can get the AHR is $450 up here and we are after a another one eek!!!!!!!!

[Sequoia]

I bought my AHR last week at Babyland Willetton (Perth) for $409...

[nic]

tess can you PM me the website the cheapest I can get the AHR is $450 up here and we are after a another one eek!!!!!!!!

Rach, I was just checking out the MaxiRider AHR's on the Babies Galore website and with postage it came to $379. You know there is a store in Rocky now? .....ok, I just called them and they have the same price in store and have them in stock as well She said they could arrange to send it out to me as well. Told her I would chat with DH and call back in a day or two.....we need to get DS a newer seat i think...
Hope that helps you out

Nic

[Rach75]

nic I paid $360 for the normal maxi from rocky store wow that cheap for the AHR now there WOW!!! will check them friday

[Rach75]

nic did ya see the price of the standards wow I hope they have them in store I will go the standard am happy with it ...must ring tomorrow

[nic]

nic did ya see the price of the standards wow I hope they have them in store I will go the standard am happy with it ...must ring tomorrow

Nah, didn't notice them Rach.. I just thought for a funny ha ha, i would check babies galore, thinking they would be dearer and found the deal on their website specials i think it was. We need to get DS a newer one than what he has i think, and I have been umming and ahhing over it. Spoke to DH and he said yep, to ring them and arrange for it to be sent out to us...yay!!
Maybe call and ask them to keep one on hold if you are going to be near them friday.