4 y/o in backless booster?

wild-one

Member
My neighbor has her just turned 4 y/o in a harmony backless... Should i try to encourage her to at least get a highback? He is about 45lbs & pretty tall for his age. She doesn't have a car & got this so it'd be easier on her then the big seat she has(A Triumph) or should i leave it alone?
 
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Brigala

CPST Instructor
I think it depends on your relationship with the neighbor. If the backless booster is being used for short, infrequent trips, it is probably adequate. It wouldn't be what I would choose, but I'm frankly glad she's using a booster at all. If the child is going on longer trips, a highback booster offers some really serious benefits especially when the child falls asleep in the car. If it wouldn't be financially difficult for her, you might suggest something like a Graco Turbobooster which easily transitions between a highback and a backless booster. They can pop the backless portion in the vehicle for those quick trips around town, but they can put the back on it if they're going on a trip or going somewhere (i.e. the zoo or the beach) where the child is likely to be exhausted for the ride home and need the extra support to stay in place.

But if you're not close with your neighbor... frankly, I'd probably leave it alone. A lot of parents who don't own cars just skip the booster entirely. I have to give her some credit for at least having the backless booster.
 

wild-one

Member
I was shocked when she told me got it! She is the least likely of my "friends" to use carseats if you take in to count how she is in her parenting. :rolleyes: He's really not in a car much & when he is, its very short trips. I would rather not say anything but I do care about the little boy...

Thanks.
 

henrietta

Well-known member
I wouldn't recommend it either for a 4 yr old, but the good news is that the Harmony backless has a minimum weight of 30 lbs and excellent lap belt fit in most cars. As long as he's not really short legged (the bottom is a bit deeper than other boosters), it likely provides excellent fit for him and it's easy for her to use correctly. ;)

As little as they are in the car and for very short trips, it makes sense for a kid his size. It's the age that gets all of us. But it does sound like she's probably riding in the car with him, so he has adult supervision.

I don't think I'd say anything in this situation.
 

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