https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:52:46 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-recos#post-2878331 Tue, 26 Mar 2019 19:25:03 +0000 bees_knees 2878331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: I totally missed the height discrepancy! Good call! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-recos#post-2878324 Tue, 26 Mar 2019 18:52:39 +0000 catgirl 2878324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with others on a combination seat. 5 is really the minimum for a booster but many kids aren't ready right at 5. This is the list I would look at to start, pay attention to weight limits, height limits, and the harness heights to evaluate how long they will last. </p> <p><a href="https://csftl.org/recommended-seats/#combination" rel="nofollow">https://csftl.org/recommended-seats/#combination</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-recos#post-2878305 Tue, 26 Mar 2019 17:52:51 +0000 PurplePeony 2878305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, your DS is too small for the Graco Turbobooster to be used backless in any event (it’s for 43”+) and is very young to be in even a HBB. We first used a HBB for travel just after my DD turned 5 (can’t be used on the plane but it was easy to transport and use at our destination and we weren’t driving that much there). It went fine but she’s staying in a harnessed seat for regular use until she’s at least 6. A combination seat is definitely your best bet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-recos#post-2878290 Tue, 26 Mar 2019 15:31:17 +0000 lioneyes 2878290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ahhh thank you! Didn't know that HBB isn't the next step. </p> <p>SO, will look for a COMBO seat instead and start with the Gracco and Chicco ideas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-recos#post-2878289 Tue, 26 Mar 2019 15:28:42 +0000 kiddosc 2878289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You don't really install a booster, some have latch just to hold them in place, but many you just set on the seat. Since your DS is still young, he may need to use the belt positioning strap that runs up the back for a backless booster which is pretty much the same no matter which seat you choose. </p> <p>Personally, I would still want my 4.5 yr old harnessed and would look for a combination seat rather than a HBB. Something that will harness until he's responsible enough for long term booster riding and then can convert to a booster so that you're not buying a new seat. I recommend the Graco Tranzitions/Ways since it is a fairly narrow seat and relatively inexpensive. The AAPs new guidelines are that you keep a child harnessed until the reach the limits of that mode for the seat... but realistically, I think most kids can transition to booster between ages 6 and 7. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-recos#post-2878286 Tue, 26 Mar 2019 15:22:47 +0000 bees_knees 2878286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would hand down the convertible and get DS a combination seat (harness that transitions into booster). It is recommended to keep kids harnessed until age 5 (very minimum) and we plan to keep them harnessed for even longer since DS1 still occasionally falls asleep in the car. We have two Chicco MyFits which we like, and they are very narrow as far as carseats go!</p> <p>For a booster, if it's just occasional use I would do a Graco Turbobooster Take Along. They collapse so we just keep one in our vehicle for unexpected carpool kids! :) DS1 also uses it for preschool field trips. I have no problem boostering our (mature, tall) almost 5 year old for just around town! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-seat-recos#post-2878284 Tue, 26 Mar 2019 15:16:24 +0000 lioneyes 2878284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Need to buy a Booster Seat for my parents car. They have a tiny backseat and DS rarely rides in it, and never on the highway (really only short distances in slow city traffic) so I'm fine with a Backless. Any recos? Easiest install and smallest size are my main priorities.</p> <p>And then for my car, should I move DS (4.5, 41") to a high back booster and give DD his convertible (this would be in about 3 months),<br /> OR,<br /> should I buy DD a new convertible and keep DS in his Maxi Cosi Pria longer (and if so, until when?) Our Pria seat will be 4 years old this summer. The only downside to this besides cost is that I would like to be able to have a 5th passenger in my car and the middle seat will be very cramped with 2 convertibles. </p>