How long to booster

[Unregistered]

Will be 12 soon and just about 4-9, slight build, but belt fit still a tad high and hits lower abdomen. Still booster? Only on highways or driving above 30mph??? Hitting that awkward middle school phase where no classmate has boostered since age 9 or 10.

 

[wendytthomas]

Still booster. All the time. 30 mph is super severe. It's why carseats are tested to those speeds globally. If you impact above 30 mph (most crashes have some element of getting out of the way or starting to brake, or the cars are moving in the same direction) your chances aren't great no matter what. So just using a booster over 30 mph is like boostering for the top 10% of crashes only. The other 90% can still cause lifelong changes.

Most crashes don't occur on the highways where people are going in straight lines and traffic is separated and all going in the same direction. Most occur on city streets, near home.

My older was boostered until 12.5. She knew it was for the best. I think she was happy to be out, but she didn't ask until it was time.

Wendy

 

[lgenne]

Is s/he over 60 pounds? A Safety 1st Incognito might help with the social issues. It's barely visible when in use, and comes in colors designed to match the interior of your vehicle.

 

[aeormsby]

I agree with both PP's. My DD is 11.5 yo, 4'-9 and probably 85lb and doesn't need a booster in one of our vehicles, uses the incognito in another (and what we bring with for travel in case fit isn't great), and uses a HBB in one vehicle due to low headrests. I keep meaning to try the Incognito to see if she can ditch the HBB, she's not happy about it and the head rest is almost touching the ceiling so can't go up anymore.

When you say the belt is touching the lower abdomen is it at the crease of the lap? If the top of the belt is at the lower abdomen it may be an acceptable fit. If you scroll down to 'seat belt fit test' on this link it has a picture: https://www.safekids.org/ultimate-car-seat-guide/glossary/