Backless Booster with a seat with no headrest

MomToEliEm · Oct 24, 2007

I was under the impression that a backless booster must not be used in a position where there is no head support (meaning there should be a headrest supporting the child's head).

I saw a car next to me today that had a backless booster and the seatback was very low. The child reached about 1 foot above the seat back.

This did not look correct, but I didn't want to say anything unless I verified in the manual that it really did state that the seat was not to be used this way.

Can backless boosters be used without proper head support in that seating position?

What do you do about a situation where the child outgrows the highback booster? Is it safer for them to use a backless booster without head support or use no booster?

Shaunam · Oct 24, 2007

No, it's not safe. Just like an adult, they need to have the seat (or headrest) reach the tips of their ears at least. I saw a couple of backless booster in a van one day with no headrests and the seat back was VERY low. I didn't see the kids or how they fit in them, but I was very tempted to leave a note (I didn't have pen or paper with me though).

If my child outgrew a highback booster and we had no headrests, I'd see if they passed the 5 point test first and if they did, I'd see if they had adequate support behind their head. If they didn't, I'd be looking into buying a new car.

My mom doesn't have headrests in the backseat of her car and the seat comes up to the tips of my ears though and I'm 5' 2" with an average torso. So I'd imagine a lot of kids could ride in a seatbelt and still have adequate support.

If they didn't pass the 5 step test though, I would 1) be looking for a taller highback booster or 2) buying a different car asap.

MomToEliEm · Oct 24, 2007

Shaunam said:
No, it's not safe. Just like an adult, they need to have the seat (or headrest) reach the tips of their ears at least.

Do you know if the instruction manuals for all backless boosters indicate this clearly? I thought the turbobooster did, but I haven't looked at it in a while. I would love to be able to tell someone "read the manual to verify what I am saying" but if the manual doesn't indicate it, then they may just think I am telling stories.

Defrost · Oct 24, 2007

I'm pretty sure they all say it. A quick check of my models found that the Graco's mention it on the "using as a backless booster" section; something along the lines of "booster seat is outgrown when the child's eyes are above the top of the vehicle seatback or headrest."

The FPSV booster had it in the front of the book, the section where it goes over which kids can use the seat and checking for fit.

joolsplus3 · Oct 24, 2007

Oh yeah, they definitely say it must have a high seatback or headrest. But... the risks of seatbelt syndrome (very disabling, even deadly) are worse than the risks of whiplash (usually just painful)...so it's 'better than nothing' (now I won't rant about poor marketing and lack of education, but that's the ultimate problem here.... sigh..)

skaterbabs · Oct 24, 2007

:yeahthat: Unfortunately, there comes a point in which the parent has two choices: buy a new car or have the kid withut head support. :thumbsdown:

Backless Booster with a seat with no headrest

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