Need Car Seat for My 4 1/2-Year-old

There are a few booster seats with the backs that still protect them from a left and right collision as well that are for children 30 lbs or more. My son who will be 5 in Sept. is very small as well (he is still catching up from being a preemie!). The only catch is that they have to be 38 or so inches. My son was right at the cusp, but I bought it anyway because the box said that if the seat belt fit in the right place then it was okay. I think he was like a half inch shorter than what he was suppose to be. These car seats are like $40 at Target (which is where I got mine). Look carefully at the weight and height as some are meant for bigger kids.

Hi D.- You could try calling a Family Support and Resource Center. The Brandon number is ###-###-#### and the North Tampa office is ###-###-####. I know that they have car seat classes on occasion and may have some resources for you to try for a free or discounted seat. You might also try St Joseph's Children's Hospital ###-###-####. I have also found some seats at Target on clearance in the past and have heard that they are marking down seats again now. Good luck!

Contact the Spring or Rainbow center. They can tell you where to go to get a free car seat for your child. Sorry I can't remember where it is that we would send parents for the free seats.

Hi D.,
Have you tried looking on craigslist for a used booster seat with the internal harness? Also, I don't know what your budget is, but check out this seat at walmart.com http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=1943168 It is only $44 for a new booster, it is blue plaid and can then be used as a belt positioning booster when your son weighs more then 40 lbs. Anyway, glad to hear your son has made such great improvement. Also, as for a consignment store, check out Once Upon a Child in Brandon. But they are going to charge you about as much as the new one is at Walmart. Good luck.

St. Joseph Hospital does offer car seat classes in which they give away free car seats. I believe the classes are held at the Family Support Resource Center. A previous post listed some of the numbers. The classes tend to book up, so you might have to call a few times but it is worth it. Good luck.