Switch to a Booster?

[Elizabeth86]

I just found out this morning that my son's car seat has JUST expired. He is 7 years old and will be turning 8 in September. He was in a Graco My Ride 65. He is 48 inches and the maximum height for his car seat is 50 inches. He is about 43 lbs. I have never been quite sure of when to go to a booster. I figured as long as he fit in a car seat we would do that. How much longer would he be better off in a car seat? What car seats are made for taller/older children? If we go the booster route, should we do the one with 5 pt harness? Is there a difference between the boosters with harnesses and actual car seats? I'm in no rush to get him in a booster, but as his age and size I just wasn't sure if it was super necessary to be in a car seat over a booster. Thanks!

 

[wendytthomas]

Hi there.

Boosters don't have harnesses. They use the adult seatbelt from the car.

Do his shoulders come from above the top slots in his carseat? Or do his ears come from above the top of the shell of his seat? It wouldn't surprise me if at his size he outgrew his seat a long time ago. The My Ride doesn't have very high top slots, often being outgrown long before the overall height limit, because of the shoulders going over the top harness height. Also, because the shell isn't very high, the tops of the ears going over the top of the shell is a concern as well at his height.

Most kids his age were ready for a booster about their sixth birthday. I'd have no issue at all putting him in a high back booster now.

Wendy