any cons to using a HBB after child has met requirements for seat belt?

J

jperiod

New member
My 8 year old is 78# and 57". She fits in both our cars' seats fine with the lap/shoulder belt. She meets our state laws. My only concern is on long car rides if she falls asleep, the HHB keeps her seated better than the normal seat. She hates sitting in it though. Are there any cons to extended use of the HHB? I'm wondering if I should keep it simply for road trips, as long as it's still safer for her?
 
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ketchupqueen

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
No one is safe in a lap only belt. It leaves the occupant at risk of severe spinal and head injury or death. Lap-only belts should be used only to install a harnessed seat.

She should use a booster, either high back or backless (if there's support from the vehicle seat or head rest to the top of her ears in it) until she passes the 5-Step Test. Then a lap and shoulder belt after that.
 
J

jperiod

New member
sorry, I totally meant a lap/shoulder belt. She meets the 5 pt test unless she were to fall asleep on a road trip. I am asking if there are any cons to consider for using a HBB after meeting the height/age recommendations, as well as the 5 pt test? For instance, is there a point where she might be *too tall* to use the HBB?
 
ketchupqueen

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
If the shoulders go above the top setting of the guide she's too tall. At her age and size that's unlikely unless you have one of the shorter boosters on the market.
 
J

jjordan

Moderator
I would consider using a backless booster and here is why.

(1) a backless booster still offers the "artificial hip bones" aspect of a hbb, which is theoretically beneficial for younger (pre-pubescent) skeletons whose hip bones are not as strong.

(2) a hbb does position the child forward of the vehicle seat and, as such, results in increased head excursion compared to backless boosters or vehicle seat alone. So if the child can stay positioned without a hbb, I don't see a benefit to continued use, especially if the child is asking to move on from the hbb.
 

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