4.5 year old in booster?

jenfrogmom

New member
My ds is 4.5, 44lbs. 44 inches. He does not fidget or move around at all in the car, is he still too young to booster? Or maybe just booster part time? Any opinions would be great! Thanks!
 
ADS

kater-tot82

New member
We started letting my DSD ride in a booster on short rides around that age. She was still primarily harnessed until 6yo. I think as long as your son understands he needs to sit still and stay in position, you could try letting him ride in one occasionally and start with short trips. A lot of 4yo aren't mature enough to stay in position all the time, and my DSD was a wiggly kid (even now at 8 I have to remind her to stay positioned right sometimes in her booster!)

I don't know if I would go out and buy a booster for a 4yo who fit in a harnessed seat that I owned with room to grow, but if I had a highback booster laying around that they fit in, and I wanted to do a few short trips in a booster, I would consider it :). I personally would harness until I was SURE my child would sit properly in their booster for every ride, though.
 

Jan06twinmom

New member
Personally, I prefer to keep kids longer. I moved DS to a booster part-time at 5y9m because he was outgrowing his car seat in one vehicle. Even at that point, he really was having difficult staying in position as well as I would have liked. I've definitely seen that my twins are mature enough to use the booster at 6yo - which fits with what I heard recommended here.

Do you have a car seat (or seats) that he fits in with growing room? I wouldn't buy a booster seat for a 4.5yo if I already had harness seats that fit. (This is actually one reason that my twins are still harnessed in our main car at 6yo.) If I needed to buy another seat for somewhat regular use, I would still probably buy another harness seat a 4yo. I might consider a booster if it was for emergency, very rare use - like less than once a month.

Melanie
 

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants
I generally prefer to see kids in harnesses until well past their fifth birthday. Is there any reason he NEEDS to be boostered -- carpools, g'parents who can't use a harnessed seat, outgrowing all affordable harnessed seats? I certainly wouldn't booster a 4yo "just because".
 

finn

New member
We started letting ds ride in a booster at 4, he does really well & has asked to go into his booster full time when he turns 5. I am 100% ok with that. He rides in a booster in everyone elses car except mine, or if we do really long trips I will harness him, but he knows the rules and follows them 100% of the time he is in his booster :)
 

jenfrogmom

New member
He still fits in his Frontiers just fine. Once in a while when I am babysitting, it would be a little easier to booster him, but I think I will cool my jets a bit and keep him harnessed. :)
 

Kat_Momof3

New member
first... totally OT - FINN - I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE that face Annabelle is making in your sig pic! it makes my heart and ovaries ache! I had a triple take because at first I thought she was a porcelain doll!


Now, to the topic at hand... while I wouldn't be opposed to booster training and then, once the kiddo is 5, using one as a spare seat or for short rides, I would not WOULD NOT booster a kid full time until age 6 (barring unforseen huge kids, but this is not your situation)
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,656
Messages
2,196,897
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top