Baby/ Booster seat tech

[ferog]

Thought I ask before going out and purchasing a new booster seat for Amelia who is 4 (in the 4-7 year booster bracket) Has anyone found one that's suitable and comfortable for a kidlet for offroad and touring use? Ie- Maximum head support/ cushioning that can take a harness and will hold them in place nicely when it gets a bit bumpy? Also when they fall asleep it must not allow their head to naturally want to drop forward as our current one does.

The one we have is hopeless (kmart) and it needs to be upgraded asap, so tell me your experiences either positive or negative so I know what to avoid/ what to consider etc.

Was looking at something like this though i'd like to do better: http://www.getprice.com.au/Babylove-Boo ... 848727.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Nelso]

Maybe Pete could get one of these in for you. http://www.prpseats.com/Products/20-pre ... s-old.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SIMMO84]

We have 2 of these in the back of the 80 http://www.babylove.com.au/files/S6UQ19 ... _Combo.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and there huge, you wouldn't fit another kid/booster seat. It would be the only downfall, head support is good and the kids (3&4) heads don't drop forward.

[mkpatrol]

We have these: http://www.productreview.com.au/p/safe- ... er-sg.html

Backrest adjustable, head rest adjustable, anti submarine clip & capable of taking a harness. Was recommended to me by one of our engineers who is now the director of technical services in the AAA ( http://www.aaa.asn.au/).

It was the safest booster on the market at the time we bought them.


http://www.mynrma.com.au/motoring/educa ... traint.htm


Here is a list of their ratings on the RTA website:

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/do ... s_0211.pdf

The one we have is still on top.

Edit: this is partly my field of expertise

[stinger]

One thing I noted that with the child harness you purchase seperately they appear to be a PIA (pain in a@#$) buckle the child into the seat.

I just bought the a Hipod Senator that comes with an inbuilt harness that is easy to do up around the kid, provides head and side support and can be laid back to help stop child's head rolling forwards, although not always.

I will say that when I rolled the cruiser both my 2 & 4 yo were in the car in these seats and sustained no injuries, stayed in the seats which are also strapped in and I was able to release them onto me while lyling on my back on the roof. So I am very happy with them.

Thinking about fitting beany with chin strap to child and a piece of velcro to the top of the seat

[ferog]

^ velcro, I've had the same idea!

Awesome thanks for the suggestions and links so far!

So this safe and sound hi-liner is rated number one for safety might go with that one then.

[mkpatrol]

^ velcro, I've had the same idea!

Awesome thanks for the suggestions and links so far!

So this safe and sound hi-liner is rated number one for safety might go with that one then.

Yah, that swayed us plus the reccomendation. They are not cheap though, I think we paid 180 for ours. I also forgot to mention that they are also tethered so it does not move out of its spot in an acco.



Oh & it has cup holders

[ferog]

Cool! and it comes in pink too!!

[BlueSuzy]

Oh & it has cup holders

What every kid needs to ruin an interior!

[stinger]

Who needs cup holders for the kids to ruin and interior.... They do a good enough job with out them not to mention some adults...

In terms of quality, best and safest seats the first thing is to ensure it meets Australian Standards and is independently certified. After that you need to place your child in the seat to see how they fit, and continue to monitor this. Just like adults all kids are different so what fits one may not fit another. The key things I believe to look for are from the 4wd perspective:
* Seat is teathered
* good support on side of base, back and head
* able to be reclined (helps most kids sleep, although this may be more important for adults).
* 5 point harness (stops kids submarining, sliding under straps and equal weight distribution accross shoulders and chest in event of a accident).

I do not care about what you are allowed to legally (i.e just a booster seat for over 4 years old) I am keeping my kids in harnesses for as long as possible especially off road.

The Hipods also have built in speakers, good for adults sanity there is only so many times you can listen to the wiggles...

[80's_delirious]

also check that any harness comes through the seat above shoulder height (same as for a competition harness) and has adjustable positions for height of shoulder straps so you can raise the straps as your kid grows.
my boy out grew one of his seats as the harness couldnt be raised high enough

[GBC]

We've got a couple of the safe and sound high liners too. They work well for everyday use, but as has been alluded to, they and all the others are fairly upright for the offroad sleeping ideas.
Because it is top tethered and seatbelt tethered at the base, I use a rolled up beach towel between the base and the car's seat to impart some angle to it. Works a treat.

[turps]

I rekon my brother has a 'Hi Liner' like what MKPatrol posted. Nephew seems happy sitting in it. Quite happy to sing some of the most random crap well past the point of sanity.
I gave his car abit of a spirited drive and nephew sat and giggled. So pretty sure he wasnt unduely bounced around. He is 4.5yrs old.

[Guy]

a typical 4 years old LOVES being bounched around ... my three and 4 year old where ever possible will go in daddies car and want to go 4wding and get shaken about at any oppurtunity .. even if I am just going to get some bread and milk ..

[98lux]

I have those Safe-n-sound ones in my cruiser, head allways seams to stay back.