I am looking to purchase a booster seat for my son as he is getting to the upper limits of his convertible car seat. Can you give me suggestions on certains types or brands to look for? My son is 39 inches/35 pounds and we have a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am.
Also we will be travelling by airplane next month and was wondering if booster seats are needed during the flight. I think I remember reading somewhere that they are not allowed, but I want to make sure. Thanks for your help!

By Melanie on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 01:57 pm:

Not Trina, but I can say that you cannot use boosters on airplanes. Boosters require the use of both lap and shoulder belts. Since airplanes only have lap belts, a booster cannot be used.

Also, if your profile is updated, your son is still much too young to go into a booster. They should be in a five point harness for as long as possible, preferably until about four years. Before that time, they tend to be just too wiggly to sit properly in a shoulder belt. There are carseats now that go up to much higher weights. My daughter was in a Fisher Price seat that went up to 60 pounds, but there are ones that will go even higher. I am sure Trina will have specific suggestions for you.

By Kilara21 on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 04:52 pm:

Thanks for letting me know about the boosters on airplanes.
My profile was a little outdated so some info was incorrect, my son is 3.5 years old. I would like to keep him in a 5 point harness for as long as possible, but I would prefer to buy something that I won't have to replace so soon, as he gets bigger.

By Melanie on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 05:08 pm:

Ah, 3.5 is much different from 19 months! I am sure Trina will chime in as soon as she sees this. Good luck!

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 11:51 am:

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. We went on a trip to visit relatives, and just got back last night.

Melanie is correct about belt positioning boosters not being allowed on aircraft. Planes have only lap belts and boosters require both a lap and shoulder belt.

We recommend kids stay in a harnessed car seat until at least 4 yrs. and 40 lbs. Longer is even better, especially if a child is wiggly and not capable of sitting correctly in a booster. There are car seats that harness past 40 lbs. They can be seen here:

CPSafety.com - Over 40 lbs

Another seat not mentioned is the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe. It is made by Britax under the Fisher Price name. It's essentially a Britax car seat without all the bells and whistles. I have one and love it. Harnesses up to 55 lbs.

http://www.livingincomfort.com/fisavodecoca1.htm