Has my child graduated??

[brooknjas]

We've been switching around car seats and I thought I'd try my oldest to see if he passes the 5 point test. He's 10, but only about 50 lbs and around 54" tall.

We have an '06, 8-passenger Toyota Sienna, and in the back on the driver's side with the seatbelt going through the guide, it looks to me like it works! But I wanted to get some expert opinions, so here's a pic (note: I would of course put the headrest back in. It's removed for the sake of the HBB my younger DS was using there)

Here's a close up of the guide that lowers the seatbelt. I checked the car's owner's manual and it did say that it's intended to be used to make the seatbelt more comfortable for kids and small adults:

What do you think? Does he pass? He will be so thrilled if the answer is yes!

 

[ahgirls]

I like all but the lap belt part. I don't know if it's the picture or the fit. I am not sure on the weight. I thought the kid needed to be 80 lbs for seat belts. My oldest dd was in nbb till halfway through 6th grade in dh car. As the lap belt fit was to high for my liking.

 

[wendytthomas]

I agree that the lap belt is too high, and that's the important part. Also, at 10 and 50 pounds he has nowhere started puberty, so his skeleton has not yet strengthened to adulthood. He would benefit from having a booster until then.

Wendy

 

[Keeanh]

Unfortunately, he really needs to grow some more. At 56", 75lbs, my almost-10yo technically 5-steps in a few vehicles with smaller seats, but I keep him in a booster because the fit is better with a booster. What does your son usually ride in? If it's a highback, or a "bigger" backless like an Amp, he might be consoled with a Literider . Just show him how the lap belt will cut into his stomach and turn his intestines into mush in a crash, and how the booster will keep that from happening until his hips grow some more. That makes my boys freak out if anyone tries to get them to ride without a booster.

Actually, I've had to remind my 12yo of that too . She likes to slouch in her seat so the belt comes up on her bellybutton, but unfortunately at 5'7", 135lbs, I can't really threaten her with a booster .

 

[carseatcoach]

unfortunately at 5'7", 135lbs, I can't really threaten her with a booster .

I threaten my 57" 85# 10yo with a Roosevelt. I'd never spend $1000 to harness a fifth-grader, but she doesn't know that!

 

[happiness-and-balance]

Am I loosing it or are his feet not flat on the floor of the vehicle? This could be my lack of sleep talking, mind you.

 

[brooknjas]

Am I loosing it or are his feet not flat on the floor of the vehicle? This could be my lack of sleep talking, mind you.

His feet are definitely flat on the floor, it's just the angle of the pic that make it look otherwise.

 

[brooknjas]

I agree that the lap belt is too high, and that's the important part. Also, at 10 and 50 pounds he has nowhere started puberty, so his skeleton has not yet strengthened to adulthood. He would benefit from having a booster until then.

Wendy

Bummer about the lap belt, that makes sense to me. But I don't understand how the puberty/skeleton strength makes a difference? Because if the belt fits properly, it will hit them in the same place with or without a booster, won't it?

 

[brooknjas]

Unfortunately, he really needs to grow some more. At 56", 75lbs, my almost-10yo technically 5-steps in a few vehicles with smaller seats, but I keep him in a booster because the fit is better with a booster. What does your son usually ride in? If it's a highback, or a "bigger" backless like an Amp, he might be consoled with a Literider . Just show him how the lap belt will cut into his stomach and turn his intestines into mush in a crash, and how the booster will keep that from happening until his hips grow some more. That makes my boys freak out if anyone tries to get them to ride without a booster.

He's currently in a Graco backless booster. It's the real basic model, though and has almost no padding. Are there backless ones that are more padded and comfortable?

 

[wendytthomas]

Bummer about the lap belt, that makes sense to me. But I don't understand how the puberty/skeleton strength makes a difference? Because if the belt fits properly, it will hit them in the same place with or without a booster, won't it?

No. His pelvic bone is not shaped yet like an adult's. Nor is it at adult strength. Between the two in a crash the lap belt can ride up onto the soft abdomen. Kids aren't just little adults. His body is actually different.

Here's the ten year old dummy in just a seatbelt. He appears to fit at the get go. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yUl4dCK1GA"]Adult belt is not enough - YouTube[/ame]

Wendy

 

[Unregistered]

What is the 5 point test?

 

[wendytthomas]

http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

The 5-Step Test.

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

With a sixth added, do the feet reach the floor? Otherwise they'll fail all of these.

Wendy

 

[Kat_Momof3]

I agree.. the lapbelt on his right (our left... toward the middle of the vehicle) is a bit high and between that and him not going through puberty yet, I'd hold off and keep him in a booster.