[CortLong]

If you have a 65lb 7 1/2 year old in a state where the booster law is 8 or 80lbs (yet you plan to keep her in her booster long after her 8th birthday) AND she is in a seat with a headrest, when do YOU (this is a personal opinion question) think it is an ok option to put her in a low-back-booster??

 

[sapphire_chan]

At 65lbs and 71/2 years aren't boosters mostly just for keeping the child positioned correctly in the seat belt? That is, unlike harnessed seats, you aren't using the booster to try to keep your child sitting up straight in the seat?

I think that low backed boosters are for when a child can sit up well consistently for the whole cartrip, but is too small to fit safely into adult seat belts.

 

[mistymama]

I personally would be ok with it. I'm all for keeping them in the booster as long as possible - and the hbb does give additional side inpact protecton. But I think at 7.5 and at that size, I would be comfortable.

Ds is 6.5, 54 inches and 65 pounds. He wants the back off his booster in the worst way. But our explorer has a bench seat in the back, so there is no way. But if we get a different car, I will consider going backless.

 

[chickabiddy]

I think it's an appropriate option except maybe for long trips -- my 7yo still falls asleep and I would want the child to have support for sleeping (not just for comfort but to help keep her body in position).

 

[sarahmae1]

My oldest started asking to use his booster backless at that age. I had him wait until he turned 8. We have adjustable headrests in our vehicle too. Now he uses just the backless booster, except for when we go on long trips. That way if he does fall alseep he has the head support.

(My state has no booster law.)

 

[an_aurora]

I'd say when they outgrow the high-back booster, usually by height. You'll want a high-back booster for as long as possible--they provide SIP that backless boosters completely lack.

 

[bigteamug]

i also think when they outgrow a hbb by height. watch the videos out there - it's their noggin' and spine that you're protecting with a hbb.

decisions like this always need to be made on the basis of your child's size, physical development, and maturity, not on the minimum numbers used by carseat manufacturers and state gov'ts.

also, if your car has side air bags and they fall asleep leaning on the door frame (or just sit that way), that could be bad in an accident.

i am a cautious mama by nature, though - and we have bad winter driving here - getting crunched in the side of the car by a driver who couldn't stop in time at an intersection is a real risk here.

 

[chickabiddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigteamug decisions like this always need to be made on the basis of your child's size, physical development, and maturity, not on the minimum numbers used by carseat manufacturers and state gov'ts.

I agree, but 7.5 and 65# is WAY beyond the minimums.

I will honestly say that my *preference* is to see 7yos in high-backed boosters, but I do not consider a backless for a typically developing child of that age and size to be misuse, dangerous, or even "the bare minimum".

 

[Julia24]

We're in the same situation - and I think she's ALMOST outgrown it heightwise too....I let her use the lowback booster in the ILs car, but we still take drives at night when she falls asleep and her head is in BAD shape if she's not in a hbb with the seat leaning EVER so slightly back.

I think I'll try to hold out until 8 - IF her height makes it that long.....how do I know for sure when she's outgrown it

 

[an_aurora]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickabiddy I agree, but 7.5 and 65# is WAY beyond the minimums. .

Not really--so many states have 8 yrs/80 lbs or 8 yrs/ 4'9" laws for boosters, and those ARE the minimums. Most 8 year olds do not pass the 5 step test.

 

[sapphire_chan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by an_aurora Not really--so many states have 8 yrs/80 lbs or 8 yrs/ 4'9" laws for boosters, and those ARE the minimums. Most 8 year olds do not pass the 5 step test.

I think it was meant that at 7 and 65 the child was well above the minimums for using a booster seat.

 

[an_aurora]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan I think it was meant that at 7 and 65 the child was well above the minimums for using a booster seat.

Gotcha, that makes sense

 

[chickabiddy]

Yes -- above the minimums for using a booster, or even a backless booster.

 

[chickabiddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julia24 We're in the same situation - and I think she's ALMOST outgrown it heightwise too....I let her use the lowback booster in the ILs car, but we still take drives at night when she falls asleep and her head is in BAD shape if she's not in a hbb with the seat leaning EVER so slightly back. I think I'll try to hold out until 8 - IF her height makes it that long.....how do I know for sure when she's outgrown it

If the shoulder belt guide positions the belt below the child's shoulder, the booster has been outgrown by height