I have to think this out...

[AFWife]

Right now we have DS2 RFing in a Graco MyRide 65 and DS1 FF in an Alpha Omega Elite. This is the best setup for the car. (DS1 can't RF because there is no room behind DH. The driver's seat cannot move forward and DH still be safe to drive)

Issue 1: DS1 is almost 2 and at least 30lbs. Yes, 30lbs. His car seat only goes to 40lbs.

Issue 2: The AOE SUCKS RFing. The entire time it was RFing behind me I had to wedge it behind my seat or it moved a ton (like, you're allowed to have an inch of play...but this was like 6in) FF it does awesome. It installs great. So playing musical seats isn't something I want to do...

Issue 3: We cannot afford a new seat unless it's a dire emergency.

So, I have NO idea when DS1 will need a new seat. Do we buy a seat that FF longer (like another MyRide) or do we get a high backed booster?

[nktigger99]

Sounds like you don't need to make any changes right now....

DS1 could be in that seat for a long time yet...just never know what a kiddos weight is going to do. 

My kids are on the larger size...both are close to 40 pounds...even my 1 year old...no kidding. 

I would not use a high back booster at a young age....I would start saving money now to buy a higer harness limit seat...both my kids are in Graco nautilius.  I do not like the graco myride forward facing and neither did DD...she always fussed in it FF...so we went with the nautilius for her.  Plus the nautilius is cheaper then the myride.

[KempsMama]

You might have longer to use DS1's seat than you think.  My DS1 was 32 pounds at 1 year, he's going to be 3 next month and still isn't 40 lbs yet. 

[AFWife]

So, when is it safe to go to a HBB?

[leighi123]

It can take a while to gain 10lbs.  Depending on his torso height, he could outgrow it in weight before that (its outgrown if his shoulders go above the top harness slot even if he is under the weight limit)

In your case, I would start saving now for a "combination" seat (this is a seat that has a 5pt harness and converts to a booster, forward facing only seat) that has a heigher weight limit.   When he is closer to outgrowing his current seat, you can buy a new one, and you should have some time to save up for it.   

Some good ones would be:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4319493&CAWELAID=607716232

and

http://www.amazon.com/Graco-Nautilus-Car-Seat-Matrix/dp/B0011URFRE

Both will keep him harnessed for a while, and then convert to a booster.  Kids arent safe in a booster until they are mature enough to sit in one correctly, about 5-6yrs old.  

I would NOT get a convertable seat like the MyRide (one that rearfaces and forward faces) unless you plan on re-rearfacing him, you dont want to pay for rearfacing if you arent going to use it rearfacing.  

Once your ds gets close to outgrowing his seat, I would consider that a 'dire emergency' that you need to replace it, he cannot ride in an outgrown seat, and he cannot ride in a booster with an adult belt at 2-3-4yrs old even if he meets the size requirement. 

[Drummer's Wife]

Originally Posted by AFWife 

So, when is it safe to go to a HBB?

5-6 years?

You'll be surprised at how much their weight gain slows down after age 2.  It can take 6 months to even gain one pound. 

I'd recommend the Nautilus, though. It's what my 40+ lb (almost) 4 yr old rides in. 

[AFWife]

See, I didn't know that there was the option of a FF to Booster seat! I was unaware that they existed (I figured they SHOULD but hadn't heard much about them) And if the first link is a good seat then $80 is totally doable.

[nktigger99]

Originally Posted by AFWife 

See, I didn't know that there was the option of a FF to Booster seat! I was unaware that they existed (I figured they SHOULD but hadn't heard much about them) And if the first link is a good seat then $80 is totally doable.

We have both of the seats that was linked above and they are both good seats....Kids love them both.  Both make good boosters when the time comes. 
 

[chel]

i agree with others, wait till the kid is 2-5lbs close to the limits.  there's always better seats coming out.  especially when looking 1-2yrs down the line.  kinda like picking a new cell phone when you have over a year to wait on your contract.