Question Is a backless booster ok now?

My DS1 is almost 8. He wants to move into a backless booster. He was extended harnessed until age 6 for most trips. He started using the hbb at age 6 for other people's cars, and full time around age 6 3/4. He is about 49.5" tall and 48lbs. Maybe 49-50 in winter clothes. . Is it safe for him to use the backless full time now?

Assuming you have adequate head support and a proper fit, yes, it's okay for an almost-8yo to use a backless booster. I would personally prefer to see him in a highbacked booster for most rides for another six months or so, but I'm very conservative about that and again, it's not WRONG to have him in a backless, just not what I'd love to see.

Yes- there are headrests in the 3 vehicles, and seating positions, that he usually rides in. He turns 8 in May and I was going to tell him that after this school year he could ride in the backless full time. He has rode in a backless here and there with friends or grandparents/etc, or if I had an extra kid that needed the highback nore than he did. So I know the shoulder belt fit properly when we did that. Does weight matter? Is a heavier 7 year old better off in the backless than a lighter 8 year old?

jaemom said:

So I know the shoulder belt fit properly when we did that. Does weight matter? Is a heavier 7 year old better off in the backless than a lighter 8 year old?

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Belt fit is more important than the actual weight or the age. If the belt fit is terrible (say on a Cosco combo seat used as a booster) but is GREAT on a Harmony Literider (which is backless), we're going to tell you to use the Harmony whether that child is 7 or 8 and weighs 50 or 70 lbs. If there's no headrest in the vehicle and the tops of the child's ears are going over the seat back, we're going to suggest a highback booster, no matter what, if possible.

If the belt fit is great on both seats, hbb AND nb, I'd put the older child in the no back and the younger one in the highback. Weight would be secondary to the age. It makes sense that more body mass might predict a better outcome (heavier bone structure), but the difference b/t a 50 and 60 lbs child at that age is quite negligible.

Any time it's possible or reasonable to use the highback, I think it provides additional protection, but I understand at some point, kids may not want the highback. I think 8 years old is a very reasonable age to let go of the highback. I've even let my 6 yr old ride in a backless occasionally. We have a Harmony nbb to use for friends or for him when needed.

henrietta