Question Can lap belt really be too low? How do I know?

[Athena]

I just discovered that the lap belt can fit too low. I've always been so concerned about keeping it off the belly, that I'm embarrassed to say I did not realize this could be an issue. My DD's booster lap belt does fit quite low, something I thought was a good thing, so how do I know if it's too low? i dread even asking this question because she loves her booster and will freak if she can't stay in it, yet her safety has to be my priority. After all, while many others are taking theirs kids out prematurely, the whole reason I'm keeping her boostered is for proper fit.

 

[ketchupqueen]

If it is significantly forward on the legs, nowhere near the hips, it is a problem. That rarely happens.

 

[Brianna]

You don't want it completely flat on the thighs, not touching her hips at all. Can you post a pic with and without the booster?

 

[Athena]

You don't want it completely flat on the thighs, not touching her hips at all. Can you post a pic with and without the booster?

I'll get a pic in just a bit here and post it.

 

[Athena]

It is low, but it doesn't look completely flat to me. What do you think?

 

[Athena]

This along with her big growth spurt has me wondering how long until she 5 steps, so I'll be taking out the seat later today to test her. I can't believe I'm even thinking about this. What happened to my little girl?!

 

[carseatcoach]

That looks fine to me. Too low is across legs only, not touching hips at all.

 

[nataliem257]

It is low, but it doesn't look completely flat to me. What do you think?

Looks text book to me she does look like she would be ready for a LBB or an incognito if she wanted one. If she loves her comfy booster and she still fits I would take an "if it's not broken don't fix it" approach though.

 

[Athena]

Thank you all!

Looks text book to me she does look like she would be ready for a LBB or an incognito if she wanted one. If she loves her comfy booster and she still fits I would take an "if it's not broken don't fix it" approach though.

It's cow, so it's so very comfy! She wants to ride in it forever.

 

[happiness-and-balance]

Looks great! I agree with others in saying that it really isn't too low unless it's not touching the hips, as this is where the anterior superior iliac curve is (the part of your hip bone that sticks out somewhat, and what "catches" the lap belt in a collision, and what is not developed until ~age 8-10, one of the reasons for a booster!).

 

[Patriot201]

"Too low" is like what I posted earlier (the diagram) on your other thread. I deleted the link because it was linking to a personal account, but will try to find a public link.

 

[Patriot201]

Go here: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/child-boosters and click on "IIHS booster rating guidelines." There is a good diagram there.

 

[Athena]

"Too low" is like what I posted earlier (the diagram) on your other thread. I deleted the link because it was linking to a personal account, but will try to find a public link.

Sorry, I didn't see it.

Go here: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/child-boosters and click on "IIHS booster rating guidelines." There is a good diagram there.

Thank you. Wow, their good fit looks even lower than my DD's.

 

[MommyShannon]

This shows a bad lap belt. http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=268118

 

[Athena]

This shows a bad lap belt. http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=268118

I see the difference. Thanks!

 

[Athena]

So almost flat, but still over the hips is ideal. On the belly is bad. But I thought that touching thighs, but not flat was also okay?

 

[ketchupqueen]

So almost flat, but still over the hips is ideal. On the belly is bad. But I thought that touching thighs, but not flat was also okay?

As long as it's low on the hips, not over the top of them.

 

[Athena]

As long as it's low on the hips, not over the top of them.

So is this good? I'd originally thought this was a very good fit, so much so I bought her two and went ahead and let her booster sooner than I'd planned. (Don't let my saying that worry you. She's well within booster age, well over 40 pounds, and sits perfectly.) But now I'm second guessing. In the pic with the shirt down, I wasn't certain, so I pulled it up and I see it's way down below her belly button and I think it's good. Is that right? Thank you!

 

[ketchupqueen]

That fit is fine. Not even borderline.

 

[Athena]

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