Advice please!

lahuffman

New member
I need advice! My little (37lb) almost 6 yr old has me questioning my stand on full time boostering (only after 6yrs AND 40lbs). For the sake of carpool and possible emergency pick up by others I got her a chicco kidfit and let her use it for short rides to booster train. She’s wonderful in a booster, stays in position without reminders. Her regular seat is a rainier and she isn’t even on the top slot yet! So do I let her start taking more rides in the booster once she’s 6 in June and wave the 40lbs or stand strong and keep her harnessed? The way she gains it would be at least another year before she hits 40lbs. If the Britax boosters allowed use under 40lbs I’d likely let her booster because of the SG clip, My older daughter was 40 at 6, I got her a parkway and she boostered full time so no dilemma there.

What would you do?
 
ADS

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
What I did with my 36 pound six year old, was allow her to booster as she was able. She used one in my husband's car at that point, and I didn't worry. But when she was with me (the majority of the time), she wasn't stable enough to be without her harness until closer to seven. But I don't think she was 40 pounds full time when she switched. I figure she's got a skeleton normal for her age, and she could sit, and the booster was rated to 30+ pounds, so why not.

Wendy
 

lahuffman

New member
Thank you for replying! What you did sounds about where we are. Her longest ride in the booster was 20 minutes, we are rather rural so 90% of our rides are longer than that which I harness for. My worry is submarining under 40lbs?
 

jjordan

Moderator
I have recently looked for a study telling us that there is a greater risk for submarining under 40 pounds, because I had heard that as well, but once I looked a bit for the evidence, I couldn't find it. I have also heard that some seat belt locking systems require a child to be 40 pounds in order for the emergency lock to engage, but again, that's just something I've heard and nothing I have actual evidence to back up. I'm not entirely sure what is rumor and what is true as far as boostering under 40 pounds, to be perfectly honest with you. I would encourage you to look for evidence and studies on your own and then decide what you are comfortable with.

Another thing to consider is that if 37 pounds is her naked weight, then she is probably 40 pounds fully clothed with shoes.
 

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