Blessing to use backless booster for 6-year-old?

[4BabyUnit]

DD is 6-years-old, 46 lb. When she is in my car, we are driving longer distances on a notoriously dangerous highway, so I've kept her harnessed in a Nautilus and likely will for a while longer. HOWever, it is my husband who usually takes her to and from school each day. He switches vehicles frequently from his work truck (with full back seat) to our old Subaru Outback. She has been in a Graco Maestro in booster mode for about 6 months. In terms of proper posture, etc., she has done well with that booster, but she can't at ALL buckle herself in and it takes her a very long time to UNbuckle. The frequency of car changes and the fact that he can't walk her in to school anymore (and therefore needs her to be able to unbuckle and get out of the car more quickly in the drop-off line) is making him really want a backless booster for their daily commute. How do you feel about this? I FEEL okay with it right now, but I get a little skeeved out when the roads are snowy and may ask him to switch back for winter. I'd love to hear your input. Thanks!

 

[YinzerMama]

I don't have any hands-on experience with the evenflo maestro but my kids have all been able to self buckle in a graco turbo booster from early on. (Well, the 3 oldest kids at least...) I am going to guess it has something to do with the shape of the booster and not the fact that is has a back. Personally I would not be comfortable letting a 6yo go backless.

Alternatively to a different booster you might just want to devote an hour to practicing in the driveway?

What is the problem exactly? If the buckle is disappearing under the booster and she has to dig I have read of people tying a sock around the stalk to sort of prop it into an easier place. There is also something you can buy called a buckle biter to help.

It really depends on why she is having difficulty though.

I doubt a backless booster will make much difference.

 

[4BabyUnit]

We have devoted enough time to practice. The problem is not that it disappears down into the seat...it is just too far behind the car seat. It's as if the car's seatbelt buckle positions are just really narrow or something. Also. the belt guides are very difficult for her (lap and shoulder). She has had to ride in boosters before for last minute needed help from friends, and she was able to buckler herself into them (two different kinds I'm assuming just b/c it was two different people). But, I hear ya'...sounds like a no go for you. Good to know. I appreciate your input.

I don't have any hands-on experience with the evenflo maestro but my kids have all been able to self buckle in a graco turbo booster from early on. (Well, the 3 oldest kids at least...) I am going to guess it has something to do with the shape of the booster and not the fact that is has a back. Personally I would not be comfortable letting a 6yo go backless.

Alternatively to a different booster you might just want to devote an hour to practicing in the driveway?

What is the problem exactly? If the buckle is disappearing under the booster and she has to dig I have read of people tying a sock around the stalk to sort of prop it into an easier place. There is also something you can buy called a buckle biter to help.

It really depends on why she is having difficulty though.

I doubt a backless booster will make much difference.

 

[MomToEliEm]

I always preferred a highback booster for my kids, but I did let them use a backless occasionally starting at age 5, primarily with the babysitter or with friends. Backless boosters are very safe, and some studies seem to indicate that there really isn't a safety benefit (http://carseatblog.com/8243/to-backless-or-not-to-backless-that-is-the-question/)

If you think a backless would help with buckling, give it a try. For me personally (I am not a tech), I would probably try it for a week or so, and then revert back to a highback if it didn't seem to help.

 

[4BabyUnit]

I appreciate your input as well as that link. I had found that link earlier, but it wasn't working properly. Got to read it in its entirety this time. Made my head hurt, but I read it

I always preferred a highback booster for my kids, but I did let them use a backless occasionally starting at age 5, primarily with the babysitter or with friends. Backless boosters are very safe, and some studies seem to indicate that there really isn't a safety benefit (http://carseatblog.com/8243/to-backless-or-not-to-backless-that-is-the-question/)

If you think a backless would help with buckling, give it a try. For me personally (I am not a tech), I would probably try it for a week or so, and then revert back to a highback if it didn't seem to help.

 

[MommyShannon]

How tall is your DD? My DD didn't fit as well in a backless until she was over 50". She also didn't sit well enough to use one regularly until almost 8. My DS has some hbbs he can buckle and some he can't. DD was the same way.