Locking belt for use with booster.

popsicle

New member
While my SIL is waiting for insurance to cough up the $ for her to buy a Regent for DN, she is riding in a booster (against my reccomendations). She's only 3 and not mature enough to sit correctly in a booster. She keeps pulling the shoulder belt out from her body, and just generally not sitting safely. I've heard mention of locking the seatbelt with a booster. Should I tell her to do this? Just want to make sure it's OK before I tell her.
 
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Gypsy

Senior Community Member
Yes.

However, I would promptly go to whatever local store sells child seats and get her any seat with a harness. She will likely even fit in a $40 Scenera unless she is on the big side of 3. A 3 year old has no business in a booster.
 

Leila

New member
I'm not a tech.

I do this when I have to put my five year old in a booster. Heck, I do it with my eight year old who's in a booster FT. It definitely helps to hold the child "in place" better than not locking the belt!
 

popsicle

New member
Yes.

However, I would promptly go to whatever local store sells child seats and get her any seat with a harness. She will likely even fit in a $40 Scenera unless she is on the big side of 3. A 3 year old has no business in a booster.

Oh I agree, however, she is off the charts for a 3 year old. 48# and probably around 44". Big girl. I bought her one nautilus to use in Grandma's car, but can't find another, and her mom can't afford a regent until she gets her insurance settlement. Hopefully it will be soon.

Thanks, I'll tell her to lock the belt, and maybe suggest that they move the Nautilus back and forth between Mom's and Grandma's cars for the time being.
 

popsicle

New member
It's probably about 50/50. Grandma is full time daycare. Mom drives her to and from grandma's.. about 10 minutes each way on sparsely traveled roads. Don't know how much they drive on weekends. I'm just hoping they get another harnessed seat soon.
 

BookMama

Senior Community Member
I always lock the belt when my DS rides in his booster. (Heck, he hollers if I forget to lock it!) He sits still in the seat but sometimes on the way home from school/preschool he is so happy to see DD that he wiggles a bit or leans over to touch her.

It can be a great way to help the less mature or "newly boostered" kids remember to sit still. (Though of course I agree that a 3 YO shouldn't be in a booster, not that anyone here is arguing that point ... )
 

lovemyfamily

New member
Def. Heck I lock the seatbelt when my 6yo rides in his Parkway, which is only about 3-4 times a year, when we are vacationing or visiting family in AZ.
 

thepeach80

Senior Community Member
Locking a belt can sometimes make a squirmy child squirmier, just depends on the child. Some will try and get out of the seatbelt even more when it's locked and then it'll just keep getting tighter on them the more they move and make them madder.
 

azgirl71

CPST Instructor
If my child rode in a booster, yes I would lock the belt. I have told parents to do this if they feel more comfortable.
 

mamabear

New member
I asked about this a while back...
It had never occurred to me to "lock the belt", but my SIL says she does it.

Well, she recently heard from a friends husband (who is a Highway patrol officer, I don't know if he's a tech) NOT TO DO THIS. His reasoning was that the belt will lock automatically in a crash, and if it is already locked it will throw the child with too much force into the seatbelt.

I guess I can see where he is coming from, but would need further evidence to weigh the pro's and cons. Haven't been able to find any yet, and DD is only in a booster for about 5 minutes total a month so it's not a huge issue for us, but I would still like to know for sure.......
 

skaterbabs

Well-known member
That's a load of bunk, to be honest. Locking the seatbelt is generally not recommended not because there is a safety issue with doing so, but because if the child NEEDS the seatbelt locked to sit properly the child is just not mature enough for a booster.

For the original poster, I would definately suggest locking the belt until an appropriate 5 point harness can be obtained.
 

azgirl71

CPST Instructor
That's a load of bunk, to be honest. Locking the seatbelt is generally not recommended not because there is a safety issue with doing so, but because if the child NEEDS the seatbelt locked to sit properly the child is just not mature enough for a booster.

I agree with you.
 

mamabear

New member
"That's a load of bunk, to be honest. Locking the seatbelt is generally not recommended not because there is a safety issue with doing so, but because if the child NEEDS the seatbelt locked to sit properly the child is just not mature enough for a booster.

For the original poster, I would definately suggest locking the belt until an appropriate 5 point harness can be obtained.
"


I thought so.
When I asked on here a while back everyone said there was no problem with locking the seatbelt.
I haven't had time to ponder it yet, because we don't really use our booster often, so weather to lock or not, it's not really an issue for me yet...
I'd trust you guys on here first before I listen to 3rd hand info from someone..........
 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
Just a reminder - not all seat belts lock at the shoulder. Is she using a rental? A newer vehicle will most likely does lock at the shoulder, but if she's borrowing an older vehicle it may not.

I'd really encourage her to move the GN back and forth, though.
 

lovemyfamily

New member
Sounds like crap to me too.
I lock the seatbelt when my 6yo rides in his Parkway, for my own peace of mind. He sits well in it, but I just like to know it is locked.
 

popsicle

New member
She got a lease on a new car so the shoulder belts will lock. I will suggest moving the Nautilus back and forth though. It makes me incredibly nervous seeing her in a booster. I sent her the link for the Target sale so hopefully she can swing the $206 with the AAA discount. Maybe carry it on a credit card until the insurance money comes through. Thanks everyone for the input.
 

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