Booster/car seats?

[Lindaapple]

Here at home my 8 year old (55 lbs 53.5") is in a booster seat and my 5 year old (38 lbs 43") is in a 5 point harness car seat. We will be renting a car in Florida and am wondering if my 5 year old will meet the criteria for a booster seat while we are in Florida. Does anyone have any insight? Thanks!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Here are the Florida DMV instructions:

https://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/safety-laws.php

and it also forwarded me to this:

https://www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/child-safety/safety-belts-child-restraints/

which said:

• Children age 4 and 5 must be in a separate carrier, integrated child seat or booster seat.

(bolding mine)

So it looks to me like she can use a booster at five.

 

[starvenger]

If you're thinking of using a no-back booster, I would recommend trying your 5yo in that at home first, to make sure the shoulder strap is at a comfortable level. I'm all for lessening the load by not bringing a car seat/high-back booster, but the risk isn't worth it if kids aren't sitting right.

 

[deedubb]

If you're thinking of using a no-back booster, I would recommend trying your 5yo in that at home first, to make sure the shoulder strap is at a comfortable level. I'm all for lessening the load by not bringing a car seat/high-back booster, but the risk isn't worth it if kids aren't sitting right.

Agree 100%. Safety trumps convenience.

 

[jcourtney]

You should look into the MiFold boosters. They are safety rated in both Canada and the US and they are SO NICE for travelling because they fold up so small. They sell them at Canadian Tire.

 

[jaceraden]

I came here to suggest the MiFold as well. I bought two for our last WDW trip and they were worth every penny. We only took carry on for our 16 day trip and the MiFold fit perfectly. The added bonus that it brings the seatbelt down to the child rather than the reverse. So it will literally work in any vehicle. I was a skeptic until I tried it!

 

[Minniemouse07]

The MiFold doesn't work well in all cars from what I researched. If you want a portable booster, we LOVED the Bubble Bum. Super easy to use and works in almost all cars.

We took ours on a day trip to NYC and it was wonderful!

Also, Florida's car seat laws are some of the most lenient in the US. Car seat experts recommend all children use child restraints until they fit in the seat belt system of your vehicle...that usually isn't until 10 or 11 years old.

If your kids use a child restraint at home I would definitely use one on your trip...the laws of physics are not suspended when you are on vacation!

 

[Nahanni]

If you decide to use a five point seat, we used to bring ourSunshine Kids Radian. It’s heavy but the seat folded into the back so it was a nice rectangle - like a piece of luggage.