The original Graco TurboBooster has been a CSFTL favorite for quite some time. It’s lightweight, fits smaller children well, and is almost foolproof to use properly. When Graco showed us a sneak peek at the updated TurboBooster LX during the ABC Kids show last fall, we had a hard time imagining how they could possibly improve such a solid seat until all was revealed.
Our friends at Safety 1st/Cosco/Dorel have changed the game when it comes to the forward facing minimum age: all of their car seats now require children to be at least 2 years old to ride forward facing. They’ve ushered in this change with a slew of exciting new car seats that cover a range of features and price points.
By now, it is hopefully common knowledge that children should face the rear of the vehicle for at least 2 years, but eventually kids do need to forward face.
Normally Graco surprises the world by releasing seats to stores, so even technicians hear about them after they’ve been spotted on a shelf. The Extend2Fit, however, has been eagerly awaited for many months. It’s compact, easy to install, easy to use, 50 pound rear facing seat that has extra leg room for kids, and under the $200 mark? Many technicians swooned at the description.
One big decision plaguing many caregivers who visit our Facebook group is deciding when it’s time to turn their child’s car seat forward facing. When the child is at least two years old, and has outgrown the rear facing height or weight limits on their convertible car seat, the decision has been made for us, and it’s time to convert the car seat to forward facing mode.
Our friends at Safety 1st have taken the lead in child passenger safety by implementing a 2 year old minimum for forward facing use of their convertible car seats. This game-changing minimum started with the lightweight Scenera NEXT, then expanded into the more featured Apt 50, the Grow and Go and now, we see it on the Continuum 3-in-1 car seat.
The Cosco Easy Elite multimode car seat is a cross between the long-lamented Alpha Omega/Alpha Omega Elite/ 3-in-1 car seat and the new, largely fantastic Grow and Go. This budget option retails for around $100 and has a lot of nice features as well as a few shortcomings.
We’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Graco Extend2Fit. While we’re waiting, our guest author and CSFTL Facebook Forum Moderator Bridget has graciously given us a sneak peek at this exciting new seat! Thanks, Bridget!
Somehow that little mewling Little to whom you gave birth only yesterday has grown and grown, and now you’re wondering if it’s time to do away with the booster all together.
Graco has announced a recall on their Extend2Fit Convertible car seats. Caregivers with seats made during the affected date range can contact Graco for a replacement sticker.
