When using a booster, can you lock the car seat belt out to keep the child from moving around?

[SDMama]

This question keeps coming up with friends who have kids in boosters. My kids aren't in boosters yet, but thought it would be good to know to pass along to them. I also have their kids in my car occasionally as well.

By locking out the belt I mean pulling it all the way out and putting it back in with the child in the seat.

[BookMama]

It's perfectly acceptable, and in fact is a great idea to do with the "newly boostered" or those who are just wiggly in general.

Here's something I posted on a similar thread last week ...

I always lock the seatbelt when DS rides in a booster (he prefers the seatbelt locked anyway), and this conversation from tonight illustrates why. And keep in mind that he knows why he uses a car seat/booster, etc.

DS: Mom, on our field trip today, I had a seat belt that didn't lock!
Me: But it had a shoulder part, right? (Paranoid that he's going to get a lap belt)
DS: Yep! And I leaned way over and turned to look behind us to see our other car! We always do that because we like to pretend we're racing.

[SDMama]

Thank you. I'm glad to hear that it's okay. I did that when putting my friends daughter in her Turbobooster in my car and felt like she was in there better. I'll spread the word.:thumbsup:

[Ahzryn]

But, keep in mind, if a child is really wiggly, that's often a sign that they really should still be in a harness. A locked belt is an excellent reminder to sit still, but it's not a prevention to wiggling, if that makes any sense :)