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Which is safer?
- Thread starter NannyMom
- Start date
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carseatcoach
Carseat Crankypants
Unless the harnessed seat is one that requires tethering after a certain weight and the child is over that weight, I would choose the harnessed seat.
BookMama
Senior Community Member
BookMama
Senior Community Member
The five-point harness spreads the crash forces out better. It keeps the child in position better (unless the child isn't wiggly at all). Depending on the size of the child and the booster used, the seat belt may not sit well on the child. Etc.
All the usual reasons that harnessing is better than a booster for a 4-5-6ish kid.
NannyMom
Well-known member
The five-point harness spreads the crash forces out better. It keeps the child in position better (unless the child isn't wiggly at all). Depending on the size of the child and the booster used, the seat belt may not sit well on the child. Etc.
All the usual reasons that harnessing is better than a booster for a 4-5-6ish kid.
Ok, thanks
J was ok in the TB this morning, and we won't have to do that anymore. Hmmm....if he goes with a friend for a playdate, should I install the GN in the friend's car, or let him use the HB TB? Of course his Mom says its up to me And I discovered this morning that DH's 2000 Durango already had TAs installed (woohoo!). Now I just have to see if the GN will fit next to DD's RF Titan.
NannyMom
Well-known member
Yes, I did take my CPST course last week. They did tell us that 5 point harness is safer. And that a tethered seat OB is safer then an untethered seat in the center. But this question never came up, and I didn't really think about it until last night. And I was actually pretty sure that the HWH would still be safer because of the 5pt, I just wanted to make sure (and make sure there weren't more reasons I wasn't thinking of). This is a child that spent over a year in a backless booster, so I figured 1 ride in the HBB would be ok, knowing he could sit correctly. I would kinda prefer the 8 year old be in a HWH because it's safer and she fits. But everyone here is telling me a HBB is ok.
I think I remember them telling me (in the course) as long as the child can sit properly, and are big enough (deffinetly over 40 pounds), booster is ok.
Though seeing him in the HBB today, I really doubt I'd make that choice today. The novelty of not being harnessed made him want to play around a little more. If we did it more often, I'm sure he'd forget to sit properly
I think I remember them telling me (in the course) as long as the child can sit properly, and are big enough (deffinetly over 40 pounds), booster is ok.
Though seeing him in the HBB today, I really doubt I'd make that choice today. The novelty of not being harnessed made him want to play around a little more. If we did it more often, I'm sure he'd forget to sit properly
TerisBoys
Well-known member
As far as a playdate goes - I might send a booster for that simply because it would be easier for the other mom to use properly than a harnessed seat. Check and see if her shoulderbelts lock, and show her how to lock it on him. This helps control the fidget-iness.
My two cents - He's at an age where you can start teaching him how to sit properly in a booster for short trips. Keeping him in a harness will not do this, and every time he's in a booster he will act the way he did this time.
Even my 5yo can handle a booster for short trips. And he has some delays that make harnessing on anything longer than about 10 minutes crucial for both his safety and my sanity. Do I prefer him in his Nautilus? YES. But do I worry when he leaves with his dad in his Vivo? No. Because A) It's a short trip and B) if it's a longer trip, his stepmom keeps her eyes on him and his stepsis to make sure they stay seated properly.
My two cents - He's at an age where you can start teaching him how to sit properly in a booster for short trips. Keeping him in a harness will not do this, and every time he's in a booster he will act the way he did this time.
Even my 5yo can handle a booster for short trips. And he has some delays that make harnessing on anything longer than about 10 minutes crucial for both his safety and my sanity. Do I prefer him in his Nautilus? YES. But do I worry when he leaves with his dad in his Vivo? No. Because A) It's a short trip and B) if it's a longer trip, his stepmom keeps her eyes on him and his stepsis to make sure they stay seated properly.
carseatcoach
Carseat Crankypants
But that wasn't your question. Yes, a HBB would probably be okay for a child that age and size. However, you asked "which is safer" and the answer is that a harnessed seat is unquestionably safer.
NannyMom
Well-known member
You're right. THat's what I asked, and I got my answer
I already knew the right answer, but the no tether issue was confusing me However, when I flipped DH seats up to get something from the back, I found the tether (I had looked before, but didn't flip the seats). Now another question that I know never came up in the course
There's a Mom at school who has DD boostered in a Graco CArgo. The tech that did her seats said it has to be LATCHED into the seat. I know the GC can be LATCHED, but does it have to be? Also, if it is LATCHED in booster mode, does it have to be as tight as it would be in harness mode? Or just tight enough that it doesn't slide around when the child gets in and out? If it were my child and my seat, I'd keep it LATCHED tight. But, the Mom wants to know what the "rule" is. I did tell her to look in the manual, but when I looked in mine it didn't say (unless I missed it).
mish
New member
A seat never has to be LATCHed. It is an option. (unless for some reason the manual tells you to)
As far as how tight, it doesn't have to be tight. The reason you LATCH a seat in booster mode is so that it doesn't become a projectile when it is not occupied. I was using the Nautilus in booster mode with LATCH and I didn't make it tight. I LATCH it and pull out all the slack, but I don't get it as tight as I would with the harness.
As far as how tight, it doesn't have to be tight. The reason you LATCH a seat in booster mode is so that it doesn't become a projectile when it is not occupied. I was using the Nautilus in booster mode with LATCH and I didn't make it tight. I LATCH it and pull out all the slack, but I don't get it as tight as I would with the harness.
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