Difference between a HBB and LBB

[Pepse]

Just wondering what is the difference and what would be recommend for a 5 year old that is about 45lbs and not sure of his height but seems average.

[QuassEE]

Assuming there's head support in the vehicle? They could potentially be about equal, if the child sits properly, even when sleeping.. How rare is that at age 5, though? In my opinion, kids that could still be harnessed but are in boosters anyway can really benefit from the additional support provided by a good HBB. LBBs are really the next "stage", once they're no longer falling asleep in the car and they have a little more bulk to remain seated properly at all times.

I personally would only put my 5 year old into a LBB in an absolute pinch (he's 5 and 45lbs, as well) because he moves around quite a bit without the constraints of the sides of his HBB. By contrast, my 10 year old sits in a LBB quite well and therefore there's no real compromise in safety in using a LBB vs a HBB in that case.

-Nicole.

[joolsplus3]

Major decrease in head injury risk in a side crash http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-09/chop-htb090905.php

[hipmaman]

With sufficient head support (top of vehicle headrest or top of vehicle seat should not be lower than top of ears) and the child sitting properly, LBB is just about the same as HBB when in a frontal colission. But LBB gives little or no side protection in side-impact protection. I tend to suggest HBB vs. LBB for this reason, unless there is no possible way of having a HBB.

[BookMama]

I personally prefer HBB over LBB whenever possible.

A backless booster is safer than seatbelt-only, but a high-back booster provides a child with even more protection. Many models offer side impact protection for the child’s head as well as providing support for kids who still fall asleep in the car sometimes. A high-back booster will also position the belt over the child’s upper body better than a backless will. (Most LBB come with a "belt positioner" strap, but they are tricky to use, and hardly anyone uses them.) In addition, if the vehicle seat does not have headrests, it’s extremely important that your child have the head support provided by a high-back booster - this is what will protect the child from whiplash injuries in the event of a crash.

[April]

Here's a link to crash test video's showing the difference in protection in a side impact with a no back, a shallow winged highback and a high back with more side impact protection along the lines of a Britax Monarch. They are foreign seats, but you get the idea.

http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/child-car-seats/page/how-we-test/