[~Megan~]

dd has outgrown her carseat straps and now its time to use it as a booster. It just doesn't seem as safe to me and I'm worried about her safety.

Please reassure me that she will be ok

 

[an_aurora]

How old is she?

 

[BeckC]

How much does she weigh?

What brand/model seat is she currently in?

 

[alegna]

If she's under 4yrs old OR under 40 lbs it absolutely isn't safe. If she's older/heavier than that it may or may not be safe depending on a handful of other factors.

Either way- harnessed is safer. I would suggest a higher harnessing seat.

-Angela

 

[~Megan~]

Quote:

Originally Posted by an_aurora How old is she?

6.5 yrs but still my baby, you know?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeckC How much does she weigh? What brand/model seat is she currently in?

About 49lbs and is in an APEX 65. She's outgrown the strap height.

 

[BeckC]

At her age if the seatbelt fits properly and she sits correctly the entire time she's perfectly safe in a booster.

 

[Smalls181]

I wouldn't have too many quelms about putting my 6.5 year old in a booster, assuming she can sit properly for the entire ride.

But if your instincts are telling you otherwise, and you can afford another seat, then by all means, go for it! Do you have a Babies R Us in your area? If so, go there and try her out in the Britax Regent and the Graco Nautilus.

 

[bobandjess99]

At 6.5 , a booster is a completely appropriate choice of restraint. The Apex 65 just got some pretty good reviews when used as a booster too - just double check and make sure YOUR child fits well in it in YOUR vehicle. Ideally, you want the lap belt across her hips, NOT stomach.....if the belt is riding above her hipbones, the booster is NOT appropriately placing the belt.
If you desperately want to harness longer, there ARE seats on the market that have higher harness slots. The nautilus, frontier, regent, safeguard, signo, como seats are all going to give you another .5-2.5 inches of harnessing...now since I see you have other kids to potentially hand that set down to, getting another harnessed seat could even make financial sense in the long run for your family....but again, at 6.5, a booster is a completely acceptable (and there are some who even argue BETTER!) choice.

but yes...i know how you feel....

 

[alegna]

They're always your baby- aren't they?

If she's mature and can sit properly in a seat belt and doesn't fall asleep in the car, she'll be fine in a booster.

BUT, if you have the $$ there are seats that will harness further.

-Angela

 

[Drummer's Wife]

My DD was 6 as well when she outgrew the Apex by height. She has done really well with a booster adn seat belt.

 

[MoonStarFalling]

My son is the same age. He does awesome in his booster! Just make sure the belts fit correctly and all that.

 

[Jenivere]

My son will be 7 in January and rides in high back booster. He still falls asleep on occasion if we take any late night or long drives so the high back keeps hin safely positioned.

 

[A&A]

You could get a Britax Regent--they go to approx. 8 years old.

 

[~Megan~]

Quote:

Originally Posted by A&A You could get a Britax Regent--they go to approx. 8 years old.

I wish

 

[Eman'smom]

I know how you feel, ds is 7.5 and still fits in his Regent, but uses a booster as the back up seat. He fits in it and sits in it great, but it still doesn't feel as safe KWIM? Something about him seating in a seat that isn't attached to the car.

 

[TEAK's Mom]

I wish that the Regent went up to 8 years old. My 6.5 year old recently moved to a booster when her sister outgrew the Marathon (height-wise) and needed the Regent. However, she would have had to move anyway because her shoulders were coming even with the straps on the top slot. For tall kids, there are just fewer options.

All this said, the Monterey we got her fits well and she's doing beautifully with it.

 

[JenMidwife]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEAK's Mom I wish that the Regent went up to 8 years old. My 6.5 year old recently moved to a booster when her sister outgrew the Marathon (height-wise) and needed the Regent. However, she would have had to move anyway because her shoulders were coming even with the straps on the top slot.

with the Marathon, they can stay in it after their shoulders are above the top slot, until their ears are even w/ the top of the seat (not sure if it's the top of the ears or the ear lobes). Is this not true of the Regent as well?

 

[an_aurora]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenMidwife with the Marathon, they can stay in it after their shoulders are above the top slot, until their ears are even w/ the top of the seat (not sure if it's the top of the ears or the ear lobes). Is this not true of the Regent as well?

Actually, no, this is extremely dangerous.

 

[Eman'smom]

I believe it's ears or straps whichever comes first.

 

[an_aurora]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eman'smom I believe it's ears or straps whichever comes first.

It's straps, or weight, whichever comes first