Booster seats

[Spinning]

I seem to deal with this issues at any major age change.....
I hated when they were too big for their 5 point system. Just felt they were really secure...then went to the high back booster and then to the no back booster...
DD is 9 today. weighs in aroun 75 pounds.
Last night I took a good look at her in her booster. I felt it was gettting small. She hasn't complained at all.
Her head is now about 2 inches above the the head rest. I know I can raise the rest to cover her head.
her hips are pushing on the sides of the booster. And the bottom edge is hitting just a little past the middle of her thigh.
What do I do now? Let her sit this way since she isn't complaining? but is it safe? do I buy a bigger seat? if so where do I find that and how long would she be in it?
They say this booster goes up to 100 pounds. But I can't imagine any child fitting it.
I haven't tried her in the seat with out a booster. I do know in the very back of the van I can't use a booster with her. The seat back must be lower or something and her head is way above the rest. But I don't want her all the way back there.
I know I am obsessing with the car seat issue. I have ever since they were born. My friends call me the crazy seat lady.
Any ideas? or calm my fears.....

 

[believe]

Is the reason she is still in the booster because she isn't 80lbs? I thought most laws are 8 years or 80lbs. If it is an and thing my oldest will be in a booster till she is 20.

 

[DisneyBug1995]

My DD8 is still in a booster seat. By law she has not been required to be in one since she was 4. The law is changing though, children need to be in booster seats until they are 8 or until they weigh 80 lbs or are 4'9". So even with the new law she is not required to be in a booster seat because of her age. However she only weighs 45 pounds and isn't even 4 foot tall yet. We feel that her age doesn't automatically make her safe in a seat belt, her size determines weather or not she will be safe. The problem we have is that none of her friends use booster seats, so she is starting not to want to use one either. When she can sit in a normal seat and have the seat belt fit her properly then she won't have to use a booster seat. So I not much help, I'm obsessed too!

 

[floridafam]

My son is 8 and we just took his booster seat out of the car. You could tell just by looking at him while he was sitting in it that it was too small. He doesn't weigh 80 pounds yet but it was becoming uncomfortable for him to sit in the booster.

I believe the guidelines are age 8 or 80 pounds.

 

[Beth76]

According to this site she doesn't need to be in a booster anymore.

 

[grlpwrd]

Originally posted by Beth76
According to this site she doesn't need to be in a booster anymore.

That info is dated 6/03 so it could be outdated. Laws continually change and it's best to check and make sure with your own current local laws/etc.

Spinning, I would recommend you check your carseat/booster seat's safety manual for height and weight restrictions and perhaps even get it inspected by a certified tech - many fire depts offer this service. If she exceeds the standards or the inspector tells you so then yes, I would get her a new seat.

Yes, it's incovenient and it is pricey (though some states have coupon programs to lower cost), but it is required by law and most importantly, it's best for our children.

Just because they look uncomfy or don't fit in the booster (of course, unless they exceed the minimum standards of 8yo/80lbs/4 ft 9in) is not a good excuse for a child to go without one.... they need a new one that fits correctly and is installed properly. Offhand, I know motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury/death for children nationwide.

Better safe than sorry...

That's my public service announcement for the day.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

My daughter will be 7 in February and is only 45lbs so I have her in the booster seat that is a high back. I was actually thinking about this on the way to work this morning. I bought the Graco model that has adjustable arms and back and head rest. I like it because it keeps the seatbelt in the proper place and protects her abdominal area.
The back does "break out" to be just the bottom only, but I plan to keep her in it FOREVER!! LOL

 

[bubba's mom]

I know for a fact that to be in a seatbelt alone, the child must:
1-be able to put their feet flat on the floor
2-....while sitting ALL THE WAY BACK in the seat.
3- The should strap must fit properly across them.
If they cannot do all of these 3 things, they should still be in a booster.
I don't agree with the 8 years old guideline...there definately needs to be a weight guideline......

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

Originally posted by bubba's mom
I know for a fact that to be in a seatbelt alone, the child must:
1-be able to put their feet flat on the floor

My feet hardly touch the floor when I am sitting in the seat...What state has this law?

 

[momsully]

This website has the state guidelines as of July 2004.

http://www.statehighwaysafety.org/html/state_info/laws/childsafety_laws.html

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

DS is 8 and not quite 60 pounds, he's in the Graco Turbo Booster and will be until he can't fit his rear in the seat or he's 100 pounds. I'm super anal about the kids and car seat safety, Belle is the one I'm concerned about, she's so dang tall that at almost three she's too big for several seats and we're still waiting for the new straps for her Britax Marathon. UGH!

I'd keep her in the booster or find her a bigger booster personally.

 

[720L]

A question: My kids are in the no back booster seats. You just use the car seat belt to buckle them, the seat isn't buckled in by the car belts. When I buckle them, I put the lap belt in front of the armrests on the booster seat. I noticed that the seat belt is not "at their waist" (where your body bends) like the seat belt is on me. It's a little under their waist, almost on top of their legs a little. THis doesn't seem right, but when I put the seat belt behind the arm rest, that makes the shoulder belt not right. Help!

 

[bubba's mom]

Originally posted by 720L
When I buckle them, I put the lap belt in front of the armrests on the booster seat. I noticed that the seat belt is not "at their waist" (where your body bends) like the seat belt is on me. It's a little under their waist, almost on top of their legs a little.

seat belts (for kids or adults) should NOT go across your waist....they should go over your hips. if it goes across your waist, you can risk internal injury...across the hips, the bone will stop the belt and your major organs will be above the belt. if you are unsure, you can always go to your local police station and ask them for help. there should be someone there trained to assist you.

 

[RadioNate]

Forget the LAW, car seat and booster seat laws are woefully inadaquate. Yes, some states are changing them and getting them up to date with current safety recommendation but for the majority they are still way behind. Now that I've gotten that rant out of the way.

This is a great site about booster seats and booster usage
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/BoosterShop.aspx

Here is some good info (with pictures) about how a booster should fit and the 5 Step Test to determine if your child no longer needs a booster.
http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

Here's the text of the 5 Step Test from carseat.org
The 5-Step Test.

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder belt and the lap belt fit right for the best crash protection. Your child will be more comfortable, too!

Safety Belt Safe

and

Safe Kids

Both have good general booster and car seat information

How's that or being a crazy car seat lady??

 

[720L]

Thanks!

 

[floridafam]

www.safekids.org seems to have a lot of good information.

I called my local police dept. and they have 2 people who are authorized to install/give information on car seats so we are going to swing by there today just to make sure DS doesn't have to use his anymore.

 

[Cruise04]

That is very interesting about those 5 steps or points. I'm 4'10" and can't do some of those things and am 35 years old. Technically I shouldn't be sitting in the front seat of a car because of the airbags either. When I go to a restaurant, just like sitting in a car seat or on a couch, I can't sit in a booth because if I sit back all the way my legs stick out because I can't bend them at the knees.

I also cannot touch the floor in most seats and also can't eat food in my lap because my lap sloops and thus the food would fall to the floor. It really is very embarrassing when you have to make sure you find a place that will accommodate a grown person that is the height of most 8 year olds!!!!!

I also looked at that last link that was given that was updated supposedly to July 2004, IL age is wrong. It's 8 and under so I guess it's best to check with your local law enforcement or state representative. Once they turn 8, they are no longer required to be in a booster seat but must be in the seat belt.

 

[Spinning]

Thanks everyone for your input and website. I think at this point she isn't complaining I will just leave it as is. I will check into a place to check her for car seat safety.

I know I worry about this. ok obsess with it. But I would rather be safe and informed so I can make the right choices.
You guys should have seen me when they reached the weight limit for the 5 point harness! That about killed me to stop using it! LOL!~

 

[thelittlemermaid]

Originally posted by RadioNate
Forget the LAW, car seat and booster seat laws are woefully inadaquate. Yes, some states are changing them and getting them up to date with current safety recommendation but for the majority they are still way behind. Now that I've gotten that rant out of the way.

This is a great site about booster seats and booster usage
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/BoosterShop.aspx

Here is some good info (with pictures) about how a booster should fit and the 5 Step Test to determine if your child no longer needs a booster.
http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

Here's the text of the 5 Step Test from carseat.org
The 5-Step Test.

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder belt and the lap belt fit right for the best crash protection. Your child will be more comfortable, too!

Safety Belt Safe

and

Safe Kids

Both have good general booster and car seat information

How's that or being a crazy car seat lady??

Thanks for posting these websites!!! I still have DS booster seat, but have been wondering at what "age" of the seat it should just be destroyed. Looks like I will have to invest in a new booster for DD. She is going to be in this for some time, does anyone recommened any certain one? DD is very short for her age. While at Disney {in August} she measured 38" exactly to get on some rides, plus is only 41-42 pounds. She grows VERY slowly, so I want to make sure the booster will be the last one we have to buy.
Thanks!!!

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

Originally posted by DisneyDmbNut
My feet hardly touch the floor when I am sitting in the seat...What state has this law?

HA!! You said it before I did. If this was the law in our state I'd be a 33 year old driving around in a BOOSTER SEAT! Lol!!