how do I know if I need a high-back or backless booster?

[moonglowmama]

My daughter is a new 6 year old and has outgrown her radian (which I bought less than a year ago!). So, I know she needs a booster, but not sure if I need to get the high-back or not. Also, does the brand matter? There is such a HUGE price variance.

I need one that isn't too huge, as I have 3 kids across the back: the 9 (almost 10) year old is in the regular seat; the baby (8 months) is in a coccoro currently on the side, but I will need to move her to the middle, as the middle has only a lap belt, and I don't feel good about letting my older two sit there; the 6 year old is currently in the middle in a radian, but like I said she'll need to move to the side to get one of the shoulder belts. So, I need a booster that will fit next to a coccoro. I hope it won't be a problem, since that's why I bought the coccoro in the first place.

Thanks for helping me. I always research these things a ton, but I seem at a loss!

[chickabiddy]

A child should ideally be in a highbacked booster until s/he outgrows the back (practically, I'm fine with a backless for preference or convenience around age 9). An average-size 6yo should really be in a highbacked booster.

All boosters meet the same safety standards. If the booster fits your child well (lap belt low on hips and thighs, not up on belly; shoulder belt between neck and arm) it is safe to use.

[jillmamma]

I have 3 across my backseat as well, and my oldest uses a high back Graco Turbobooster, and has since just before he turned 6 (he is now almost 8), and it has fit him well since he started using it, plus it is narrow enough to fit 3 across our backseat (5 yo DD FF in Britax Decathlon, 9 mo DD RF in Radian, and then him in the Turbobooster).

[MJB]

If the Coccoro doesn't fit just put the baby in the Radian.

HBB is safer for side-impact and it helps position the shoulder belt. My almost 8 yr. old (51" 57 lbs) is in a HBB most of the time (his dad has a backless). He's about to outgrow it by height and I'm trying to decide whether to let him use it as a backless booster or buy a taller booster (we have a Fisher Price Safe Voyage). I will probably buy another HBB since I have 2 younger kids to pass it down to anyway.

[moonglowmama]

Thanks! I got the Graco Turbo booster for her and put the coccoro in the middle. It's a little tricky for the 6 year old to buckle, but she's so excited to be in a booster that she doesn't complain. Hope that lasts through the learning curve! I thought about putting the baby in the radian rf, but they take up about the same width and the radian is so much taller that our seats would have to be all forward to fit it (not a problem for me, but it is for dh).

I agree about the hbb. I like the added side impact protection and the way it feeds the shoulder belt portion to make sure of a good fit.

[chel]

i found the TB the best at positioning the shoulder belt. my dd outgrew the back part at around 7yrs when her shoulders were above the clip that held the shoulder belt.