Mastectomy Photos Banned in Another Facebook Fail
Arrest in Etan Patz Missing Child Case (VIDEO)
A Chilling Past Life Experience Recounted
3 Red White & Blue Cocktails
Controversy: Gwen Stefani Bleaches Her Son's Hair
A '50 Shades of Grey' Shortcut for Busy Moms
Latest on Baby in Washing Machine Case (VIDEO)
Are People Who Eat Organic Judgy & Mean?
A Dad's Perspective on Playdates
Bagged Salad Recall Sparks New Fears
Help Dying 4-Year-Old Fulfill His Bucket List (VIDEO)
Melissa McCarthy & Sandra Bullock's Buddy Cop Movie
Do Working Moms Have It Easy?
Your Morning Coffee Could Save Your Life
Join the Fight Against Toxic Kids' Products
I can't tell you how many mothers have asked whether or not it's okay to let their big kid ride without a booster seat. Like I reported yesterday in the booster seat giveaway, the simple across-the-board rule is that if your child is between 40 and 80 to100 lbs, and under 4'9, they definitely, absolutely, must be in a booster seat.
According to SafeKidsUSA, many parents are surprised to learn that safety (or seat) belts generally do NOT fit children until they are between 8 and 12 years old.
In order to be super certain that a safety-belt is okay for your child without a booster seat, have all of your children under 13 years old take this important test:
- Have the child sit all the way back on the vehicle seat. Check to see if the knees bend at the seat edge. If they do not, return to the booster seat.
- Buckle the lap and shoulder belts. be sure the lap belt lies on the upper legs or hips. If it stays on the upper legs or thighs, move on to the next step. If it does not, return to the booster seat.
- Be sure the shoulder belt lies on the shoulder or collarbone. If it lies on the shoulder, move onto the next step. If it is on the face or neck, return to the booster seat. DO NOT place the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the child's back!
- Be sure your child can maintain that correct seating position for as long as you are in the car. If your child begins to slouch or shift positions so the safety belt contacts the face, neck or stomach, return your child to the booster seat until all the test steps can be met.
Is your big kid still in a booster seat? Or does she/he ride with a safety belt only?
Stephanie is a Surrogate Mom
Ashley Is a Widow Who Stays Strong...
I Named My Kid SpongeBob!
Emma Lives with Severe Food Allergies
Comments (10)
Again, I'd like to comment.
" if your child is between 40 and 80 to100 lbs, and under 4'9, they definitely, absolutely, must be in a booster seat."
You're making that misleading, although I doubt intentionally. If your child has OUTGROWN the 5-point harness, but is less than 80 pounds and under 4'9", they need a booster. But you should keep them in the 5-point harness as long as possible. With seats out like the True Fit with a weight limit of 65 pounds, your child shouldn't be in a booster until they're usually around 5 years old minimum.
I will confirm your statement with my expert at SafeKids. I know for certain that age is not a determining factor for the effectiveness of child passenger seats, but size. However, you are right to say that kids should move into boosters at around 5--but because at that age they typically make or exceed the 40-lb. mark. The booster seat regulations are an across-the board, industry-wide standard.
"Is your big kid still in a booster seat? Or does she/he ride with a safety belt only?"
My big kid (almost 7) rides harnessed in a Graco Nautilus. He is not mature enough to stay seated the entire ride, so a booster is not safe for him. Since I can't possibly know when or if we were to be in a crash, I prefer something that keeps him seated correctly so I know he will be protected as much as he can be.
No, that's not what I said. I said that once they outgrow the 5-point harness, THEN they can be in a booster, and for example. the True Fit, which harnesses to 65lbs, should be able to hold an average kid past 5 minimum. If you can have your 7 year old in a 5-point harness, it's STILL better than a booster.
The minimum for a child to be in a booster should be 4yrs AND 40lbs. However it is safer to harness your child to 65-80lbs. There are about 10 differant seats that harrness to 65 or 80lbs. Check out the car seat safety group for more info.
age IS a determining factor in whether or not they are ready for a booster. Yeah, my 2 yr old is almost 40 lbs and weight wise, he would fit in a booster, but he is no where near mature enough to sit properly in a booster for the whole car ride.
My 2 older girls are in backless boosters in our truck no matter what (the seats have backs but they didn't fit right in our truck and completely blocked the view out the rear window). My oldest will be 9 this summer but only weighs 40lbs (give or take). She is so mad that she still has to be in one because none of her friends use one (the law here is 8 OR 80lbs) but she is so tiny. I know she should technically still be in the harness straps but it became an issue when she was 6 1/2 or 7 so we finally let her move to the booster.
My 6yo daughter is 43lbs and has been in the booster since she was 5 and 40lbs. My son is 7 and 56lbs and if one or the other of the girls isn't in their seat then he rides in it. But when all 3 of his sisters (the youngest is almost 3 and still in a convertible carseat) are in the car he rides up front with us. The middle seat in the truck fits him perfectly but we do have airbags so the seat is all the way back. He rides up front because he is the biggest of the kids (height and weight wise) and has a better chance of surviving in a crash compared to his tiny sisters.
There is no buying a different vehicle so we just do the best we can.
I have twins , and I have them in a small car seat, until I can afford to buy them big kid booster seats! Where can I get some help to get my 6 yr olds a booster seat? Very appreciative!
hmmm my 5 year old weighs 44 lbs and is 43.5 inches tall will she still be okay in a 5pt harness and why are they so EXSPENSIVE?
hmmm my 5 year old weighs 44 lbs and is 43.5 inches tall will she still be okay in a 5pt harness and why are they so EXSPENSIVE?
She'll be safer in a 5 point harnesss so long as she still fits in it. Many only go to 40lbs so you have to keep your eye out on that. The Graco Nautilus is a great seat for forward facing children over 40lbs. It harnesses to 65lbs and the harness fits most children to 7-8 yrs old. It will then convert to a high back and backless booster to 100lbs. It is only $139.98 at Amazon.com and around $149 in strores. It will be the last car seat that child will need so it really isn't that expensive. Many infant seats cost the same amount but only last a few months.