Car booster seat question

When are they big enough or what are requirments for then to be in the booster seat with just the seat belt and not a 5 point harness? My son is 4 1/2 and is just shy of 40 lbs and is about 42 inch tall.

Car booster seat question

AJ was over 5yrs old, over 40lbs but not that tall. I just put her in one only after her neck cleared the strap. I wanted her heavy enough to hold the seat down as well. I wanted to do it a bit earlier but it didn't feel safe to me at all.

I think each booster has its minimum limits. I chose to wait until she was well past those.

Re: Car booster seat question

All depends on your seat, check to see the weight and height limit for the harness. I would keep them in the 5 point till they meet the weight and height, once they meet that then switch. Every child is different.

Re: Car booster seat question

Our seat harnesses up to 65lbs. The 5 point harness is the safest way. Most seat belts don't fit young kids properly...

Car booster seat question

DS is 40 pounds, 43 inches, just turned 4 and he is in a booster seat with just a seat belt. We switched him last week- once he turned 4

Re: Car booster seat question

A four year is not mature enough for a seat belted booster. Most five year olds aren't even mature enough. Even if your child meets the requirements of fours years old AND 40lbs, they need to be mature enough to sit up straight 100% of the time. The second they lean over, slouch, fall asleep and slouch, etc, they are at serious risk for injury if you're in an accident. They now take on the crash forces the same way we do and the responsibly is all on them. When in a 5pt harness, the crash forces are spread out throughout the harness, as well as all responsibility is on you-just making sure your DC is properly put int their seat. No worries about them sleeping, slouching, leaning over, playing with their seatbelt. Personally, I'd let them max out the limits on the 5pt harness before switching. There's no rush. My son is 5.5 and still in a 5pt harness and he'll be there for a few more years. F$&k, I'd still have him RFing if I could! Safety first!

I personally feel this article should be titled "Why 4&5 year olds don't belong in booster...."


Harness or booster

Message edited 6/26/2014 12:30:09 AM.