Booster?

[rachelmomof3]

Booster? Update in OP

Ds is 35ish pounds and will be 5 in a couple of weeks, currently he is riding in a GN harnessed. I was thinking of getting a booster (and they have the airplane print TB on clearance at target) and starting to booster train. He keeps asking to ride in a regular seatbelt, i keep telling him he's too little. Is he still to small to start? TIA

Update: Just wanted to update, DS (now 5) went to the pedi on Friday and is 36 pounds and 41 inches, so still kinda small but now I know my scale is off by a few pounds. So, with these stats (which are now correct) would boostering him be safe? Just for drop off/pick up from school, which is less than 5 miles from our house. Thanks again

 

[Maedze]

It would be legal to start training. The booster is likely to fit him well, and he meets the minimums. Because he is petite, I would not plan on moving him to full time boostering for a while yet, though.

 

[lorismurph]

If you have an extra space in your car, you could put both seats in and then he can ride in the booster for shorter rides to start but if you have to remind him how to sit (talk to him first of course), he has to get back into the Nautilus immediately.

I'd be okay with shorter rides in a booster at that age but yes, very petite.

My 5 1/2 yo is just 38 pounds now and she's boostered full-time but for a long trip coming up, she's going back in the Nautilus.

 

[rachelmomof3]

Thanks so much! I guess i'll wait till his 5yr checkup to see how much he weighs on their scale b/c on ours it says 30lbs and it was 35 the last time he went to the pedi. I was thinking it would be easier to do drop off/ pick up from school if he could buckle himself (he cant get it done all the way in the GN). But i would rather him be safe than whats the most convenient. I do have room to leave both in the car. His school is only a few minutes from our house.

 

[Maedze]

The Nautilus is extremely easy to buckle and unbuckle. If he doesn't have the dexterity to manage it yet, he probably won't have the dexterity to position, buckle, and adjust the belt on a booster yet, either

 

[rachelmomof3]

I find the nautilus hard unbuckle, although he did get one side buckled by himself when we were out today. I've been trying to let him do it himself lately instead of doing it all for him. Thanks again!

 

[carseatcoach]

If there is any chance at all that he is below (or even just exactly at) 30#, I would not want him in a booster at all.

 

[Maedze]

If there is any chance at all that he is below (or even just exactly at) 30#, I would not want him in a booster at all.

Very true. The bare minimum of 30 pounds is set in stone for legal use. If he's at 30, or even a few pounds above, it wouldn't take much to dip below the 30.0 mark.

 

[wendytthomas]

Also, double check your state laws. Some have 40 pounds as a minimum for a booster.

Wendy

 

[chasingboys]

I personally wouldn't be comfortable with a child under 40lbs in a booster until after age 6. I guess that's just me though. My kids are huge though so I've never had to personally deal with it. My 4.75y/o weighs 55lbs and I'm not ready to booster train yet.

 

[rachelmomof3]

Thanks! I definitely think our scale is off as it said ds2 was like 25lbs and at his last pedi appt he was 33lbs. I think i'm just going to wait a while and definitely get an accurate weight before I let him start training. Although i might buy the seat if I can get a good deal on it

 

[Carter's Mommy]

Also, double check your state laws. Some have 40 pounds as a minimum for a booster.

Wendy

Anyone have a link to check state laws? I'm in CA and want to research them before the next time I have to defend my stance for NOT being willing to booster my 34 lb, 4 yr old in MIL's car.

 

[rachelmomof3]

here ya go! i found this while i was looking http://www.iihs.org/laws/childrestraint.aspx#

 

[Carter's Mommy]

here ya go! i found this while i was looking http://www.iihs.org/laws/childrestraint.aspx#

Thank you. Is there a listing of the specific wording for harnessed vs. booster though? I know RF'ing is minimum 1 yr AND 20lbs. Thought boostering had some specifics regarding weight, maturity, etc.

 

[Carter's Mommy]

Found this which is helpful
http://www.car-safety.org/basics.html
Still want to know what CA's specific requirement is for boosters though (30 lb? 40 lb?).

 

[carseatcoach]

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=veh&group=27001-28000&file=27360-27368

California is a proper use state. There's nothing in the law that specifically requires 1y AND 20# to rear-face, but carseats must be used properly, and no seat allows FFing before 1y AND 20#. Similarly, you are required to follow the rules of the booster, which means that it is legal to use most highbacked boosters for a 3y/34# child.

 

[rachelmomof3]

I have another ? now! Should I go ahead and get the booster (they're on sale at Target) to put up for when he's ready for one? I'm sure I'll use the GN in booster mode but not till he's in one ft as i dont want to have to put the harness in and take it out all the time.

 

[wendytthomas]

No, I wouldn't. The seat has an expiration, and if it's sitting there unused it's just money wasted. There will be other sales when he's more ready.

Wendy

 

[rachelmomof3]

Thanks! Now if I just keep telling myself i dont need it yet

 

[Thanksgiving_Twins_Mom]

disclaimer: I'm not a tech so take my :twocents: for what it's worth: IMO it's not an unreasonable idea to start booster training a 35 lb. 5YO, esp. as he's approaching an age when car pooling, after school play dates, and field trips become more common and there may be times when in a pinch you might need to ask a classmate's parent to pick up or drop off (plus the extra HBB can be useful for when your DS has a friend over for an after school play date).

And of course, if you buy a Turbo Booster, be sure to install the screws in the arm rests