If/When to move child to booster?

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marim123

New member

• Mar 2, 2009

• #1

Hi,

My son is 4 years old, 41 inches tall, 36 pounds. He's FF in a Britax Boulevard. Today, for the first time, he asked if he could have a booster seat like other kids. I told him that booster seats are for older kids but then he pointed out that his younger cousin (age 3) sits in a booster. So I then said that his current car seat is much more comfy and safe, and the 5 pt harness is like a racecar driver's. That seemed to satisfy him for the time being.

I would love some advice about this. When should I move my son from his britax boulevard to a booster? Does he even need to move to a booster since his current seat has a height limit of 49" and a weight limit of 65 pounds? Also, I was/am under the impression that a 5 pt harness is safer than any booster. Am I wrong about that? Isn't it better to keep a child in a 5 pt harness as long as possible? Is there any reason to move a child to a booster from a regular 5 pt harness car seat?

Thanks so much for your advice.

best regards,
marim

 

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mykidsmylife

Well-known member

• Mar 2, 2009

• #2

If he still fits in the harness, it is best to keep him there.
He should be at least 40lbs before moving to a booster. He also needs the maturity to sit properly in a booster. He needs to sit still at all times, keep seatbelt positioned properly, no slouching, should sleep sitting up.

If he cannot do these things he is not ready for a booster.

My son is 6 and occasionally sits in a booster. At 4 he was NO WHERE near mature enough to sit properly.

 

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Jan06twinmom

New member

• Mar 2, 2009

• #3

It's definitely safer to keep him in a 5pt harness. Ideally, you'll keep him that way until he is at least 6 years old. Here's one of my favorite links that explains why...
http://www.kyledavidmiller.org/pages/4211/Car_Seat_Safety:_5-point_Harness_is_Safest.htm

 

Evolily

New member

• Mar 2, 2009

• #4

My personal opinion, is that a child shouldn't move to a booster full time until around 6 years old. After 4, I am OK with a booster only for emergencies, and after 5 I am OK with a booster for short rides to "booster train". It mostly has to do with emotional maturity, most kids aren't ready to sit correctly until 6.

I personally don't believe in using a harness seat for a kid older than 7 unless there is a developmental issue (either behaviorally or physically) that prevents a booster from being a safe option. But, of course, if research is revealed showing that a 5 point harness seat is significantly safer than a properly used booster then my opinion would change!

 

emandbri

Well-known member

• Mar 2, 2009

• #5

Seems it would help to get his cousin out of a booster.

 

bobandjess99

Senior Community Member

• Mar 2, 2009

• #6

My dd is a little older than your child and no where near ready for a booster. a 3 year oild is NEVER appropriate for a booster, and depending on your state, it might actually be illegal for him to be in one.

A good "compromise" is the graco nautilus seat, because it LOOKS like a booster ( just like a turbobooster booster) but it has a 5 pt harness until 65 lbs, but with top slots about 2 inches higher than the blvd, so will actually fit much older and taller children. If the money is not an issue for your family, perhaps you could give it a try.

 

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jillianrose

New member

• Mar 2, 2009

• #7

My five year old is still in a five point harness (Radian 80) and I would like to keep her in it until age six. The only reason I personally would move a less than six year old to a booster is if I could not get a good install with seat belt only once the anchor limit is reached.

She's 39.5 lbs now so I have to switch her Radian from a latch install to a seatbelt install very soon. If I can't get a good install using the seatbelt, I will (reluctantly) put her in a booster.

I fully agree with the maturity issue. She rides in a booster twice a week when I babysit a friend's smaller child (who rides in the Radian), and my daughter definitely does not show adequate "booster maturity". I've caught her with her twisting out of the shoulder belt a couple of times. I hope I can keep her in the Radian anohter year!

 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician

• Mar 2, 2009

• #8

You can use your current seat till the weight limit is reached OR till the shoulders are at the top harness position. It may be there already, or you may have up to 2 more years, but either way, you will need a booster after that, most kids need one till they are at least 4 foot 9 to 5 feet tall and age 10-12 before the seatbelt fits them safely. (Most states' laws don't reflect that, unfortunately, and have random ages that are totally inadequate).

Just a glimpse into your carseat future, there...you've got a great seat, keep using it as long as it fits

 

Splash

New member

• Mar 2, 2009

• #9

I'd let him ride out his current seat and then get him a great high back booster.

 

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marim123

New member

• Mar 2, 2009

• #10

Wow..thanks so much for the quick replies and the link to that video. I'll definitely be keeping my boys in their 5 pt harness seats as long as possible. I'm sure glad I didn't just listen to my 4 year old and switch him out.

As for my nephew, who will be 4 this month, I know the booster is not right for him. After seeing that video especially. It makes sense. In an accident/rollover, his booster won't protect like a harness. He is bigger than my son (42 inches tall, 42 pounds), but not big enough for his booster.

I asked my SIL why she moved her son to a booster and she said it was because my nephew's Britax Decathlon was too wide for her car (she has 3 kids in the back seat).

I was unsure what to get him for his birthday. Now I think I'll be getting my nephew a new car seat with a higher height/weight limit 5 pt harness. Any suggestions for a narrow seat for a 4 year old who should be harnessed?

Thanks again for the advice.

Regards,
marim

 

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants

• Mar 2, 2009

• #11

The Sunshine Kids Radian is the narrowest seat with a higher-weight harness.

 

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marim123

New member

• Mar 3, 2009

• #12

Thanks so much for the suggestion. Sunshine Radian looks great.

Regards,
marim

 

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delgirrrl

New member

• Mar 3, 2009

• #13

marim123 said:

I was unsure what to get him for his birthday. Now I think I'll be getting my nephew a new car seat with a higher height/weight limit 5 pt harness.

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What a wonderful Aunt you are!