Graco Snugride

Convertible Car Seats and Booster Seats

March 23rd, 2007

While most people know that they need a car seat for their child, they are often at a loss to know which seat to choose for a particular stage of life. In this article we will review the difference between a convertible infant car seat and a booster seat.

A convertible car seat from a reputable company, like Graco, is designed for children 5 to 40 pounds. These seats often come with a removable infant head support for babies. This offers added protection to a fragile neck. They also have a five point safety harness to keep your precious little one safely strapped into the seat. A seat like the Graco Comfortsport comes with EPS foam to add to the comfort and safety. The LATCH system is also included on most new car seats. This system allows the car seat to be secured directly to the car frame via straps attached to the seat.

A convertible car seat is usually purchased when a child has grown out of their Graco Snugride car seat at 20 pounds. They can be installed rear facing until the child is 20 or thirty pounds. After that, the same seat can then be converted to a forward facing seat until the child is 40 pounds. Many kids enjoy added features that make them feel like big kids. Some of these features include things like cup holders and snack cups. There are also things to make them more comfortable, such as Energy Absorbing Foam and strap covers to protect the neck.

A booster seat, like the Graco TurboBooster, is used when a child has outgrown a convertible car seat. These are appropriate for kids from 30-100 pounds. Make sure you read the label since some seats only go up to 80 pounds. These seats do not use the five point harness system. They are instead, a belt positioning booster. They use the vehicle’s seat belt. These seats have a slot to thread the seat belt through that adjusts it to the child’s height. This is important because a vehicle’s seat belt is designed for an adult and will not properly restrain your child in the event of a collision.

Boosters, like the Graco TurboBooster, are very appealing to kids. They feel like they are not in a car seat anymore because it uses the regular seat belt. They also come in many different colors and patterns that kids like. Most boosters also have cup and snack holders. Many also convert to a backless booster for older children.

As you can see, there are many differences in these car seats. It can be daunting to choose a new car seat after your baby grows out of their Graco Snugride car seat that you trusted so much. If you keep in mind a few basics, you can find the perfect next step car seat for your little one.