I went to mothercare today to see if it was possible to fit three car seats in my car. Anyway, the 'expert' in there was telling me how new tests have been done on booster seats and they are being phased out countrywide. Everywhere is to stop selling them in the next 12 months and then they will me made illegal a year later. Apprently they are not safe enough to put children in and the new tests have confirmed this. x

Booster seats? like the little ones like these?


What about the high backed ones?

I was just going to say that really pee's me off. I hope I dont come across as someone who doesnt care about child safety but it is becoming really awkward for low/middle income famillies.

I was quite looking forward to getting Caitlin a booster seat in 18 months time when she was 3.5 as she would def be the right weight for it. It would also mean that new baby could just move into her stage 1-3 car seat at 9 months and I wouldnt have to fork out another £60 and could just get Caitlin a booster at £10-15.

Space wise too its going to mean that all famillies with 3 or more children (even if ages are spread slightly) are going to need a people carrier. How many cars can fit 3 full size car seats in back? Bigger cars are more expensive to buy, insure, tax and run, let alone considering the price of 3 stage 1-3 car seats instead of kids progressing on to cheaper ones and 'handing down' the stage 1.

I understand if its safest and the law I will have to follow it but sometimes I just think people need to drive more carefully/reduce speed limits etc. I wonder exactly how much safer a full seat really is?

Yes Zee, those are the ones. Snoopy, I totally see your point. But there is some good news... they had a Graco high back booster (which are what they want kids to have) half price which was something like £22. The bloke said it was a really good seat too. x

This is the one, but it was 100% only about £22.99 in the store: http://www.mothercare.com/Britax-Adventure-Car-Seat-Billy/dp/B004EYHV3M?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_1&nodeId=118864031&sr=1-1&qid=1305318414&pf_rd_r=1YHB3C1XX0JVB8NDT3NM&pf_rd_m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=118864031&pf_rd_p=231490867&pf_rd_s=related-tab-3-5 x

My mum has always said those ones (no back) are dangerous as if you have a crash it splits/cuts/breaks their backs.

I just found this: http://www.madeformums.com/what-to-buy---baby/high-backed-or-backless-booster--which-car-seat-should-you-choose/9778.html?print=true It doesnt say that they are being phased out 100%, but the guy in Mothercare seemed to know that they were. I wasnt even looking at buying one, lol! x

i agree with snoops - shouldn't there be some kind of government scheme that helps people to afford these things if they are going to be required by law?

If they are going to be required by law and the others are phased out, as more are bought, the price will come down.....

Yeah ok, am dreaming! But sounds good! At least have a few years to save up! LOL

Mandy xx

Sophia's mummy wrote:

If they are going to be required by law and the others are phased out, as more are bought, the price will come down.....

I thought that too.

Tbh, the 1st car seat I got was part of a travel system. The next one was one from argos for about £45 and its from 'birth to 4yrs' so I think thats very good value for money I'm hoping to use that one for the next LO from birth and move O into a high-backed booster.

One question, the high backed boosters are from 15kg (33lb)/4yrs old.. well O is 30lb now, so if he was 33lb before 4yrs old, is he still ok to use it? I know its different from the 9mth (rearward/forward facing ones) as that had to do with developing muscle and body strength etc..is it still the same for the high backed ones? Bearing in mind he's quite tall as well

I would have assumed so Zee. Thats why id thought of moving Caitlin to booster at 3.5 as she is 28lb now so im certain she will put on the 5 lb required by then.

Think its a bit like the height thing too - if they over 135cm before they 12 you dont need a booster seat. Im sure there are some 11 year olds that are near 6 ft these days - slight exaggeration lol.

i have a golf and fit 3 car seats in the back. and OH has a subaru and he does too

Well 3 full size car seats def wouldn't fit in my peugeot 106. The seat belts are wrong for a start (lap belt only in middle seat) so dont see how they could fit. In saying that I suppose then an ordinary booster wouldnt work either with that belt, my car is poop!

Im looking to change to a slightly bigger 5 door car before bubs arrives anyway. Oh and I only want 2 children anyway.... so erm why am I moaning so much?!

We only have a lap belt in the middle too