car seat question, high backed booster for 3 year olds?

[BevS97]

Hi,
here in the UK, we have a number of high backed booster seats that are sold as suitable from 9months
this one

is very popular for travelling as it's really lightweight. Now, personally, I wouldn't put a 9 month baby in one, but I know lots of 3 year olds who use them.

My question is I have read that Florida law states that a child 3 and under must be in a carseat, and children of 4 or 5 must be in a booster seat. Would this carseat be ok for a 3 year old, or are they required to have the integral straps?

bev

 

[jel0511]

Bev - "Car seat" implies that the car seat MUST have it's own harness system, separate from the seat belt which you use to secure it. I'd bring a car seat with a harness system to be safe. Everytime I see baby products from the UK, I'm simply amazed. There seems to be such innovative stuff comng from over there!!!

 

[Familymoon]

It might also depend on your child's weight. My daughter has been in a belt-positioning highback booster since age 3 (her Eddie Bauer seat is approved for 30lbs and 3 years with the seatbelt)....BUT - it is *not* allowed on the plane (no shoulder belt). So, yes, you can use it in the rental car if it is something you use at home by all means...however, you cannot bring it on the plane (you'd have to check it).

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by BevS97
Hi,
here in the UK, we have a number of high backed booster seats that are sold as suitable from 9months
this one

is very popular for travelling as it's really lightweight. Now, personally, I wouldn't put a 9 month baby in one, but I know lots of 3 year olds who use them.

My question is I have read that Florida law states that a child 3 and under must be in a carseat, and children of 4 or 5 must be in a booster seat. Would this carseat be ok for a 3 year old, or are they required to have the integral straps?

bev

Actually, children over 3 are only requred to be in a seatbelt to meet FL Law. That said I still use a booster for my 6yo and that exceeds FL law so its fine if that's what you use at home. As others have mentioned to use on the aircraft it must have an integrated harness and and FAA approved sticker on the back.

From the FL website -

"All children 5 years of age or younger must be properly restrained no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used. (FL Statute 316.613)."

TJ

 

[BevS97]

Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier

i read that to mean that children age 3 must be in a carseat - I really do wish they would use clearer language in these things.

the airline thing is not such a big issue, as british airlines are not at all keen on carseats on board, one of the areas in which we are not at all innovative, imho.

Bev

 

[jel0511]

Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat.

Bev - I also agree with you, the key word is THROUGH. Which means that the child has to be 4 before being place in a booster seat, according to FL law. Unforunately, legalese is very difficult to interpret (unless you're used to it like me) and especially if you're from the other side of the Atlantic!!! I hope you have a safe trip!

 

[Familymoon]

I still say that the high back belt positioning boosters are fine. Like I said - we have one for our three year old and I am up to date on the carseat laws and safety standards. You just cannot use them before 30lbs. With it being an international seat, they follow the rules on your seat (bring your manual) and if you trust it for your child at home, you should trust it on vacation. Besides, it's a Britax! Nothing better.

 

[jel0511]

Originally posted by Familymoon
I still say that the high back belt positioning boosters are fine. Like I said - we have one for our three year old and I am up to date on the carseat laws and safety standards. You just cannot use them before 30lbs. With it being an international seat, they follow the rules on your seat (bring your manual) and if you trust it for your child at home, you should trust it on vacation. Besides, it's a Britax! Nothing better.

I agree with you that you can use some boosters with a seatbelt, as that is what is recommended by the manufacturers. The issue here is that each state has different laws regarding car seats for children. Here in NJ, they require us to keep a child in a car seat with a 5 point harness until age 4 and 40lbs and a booster seat until age 8 and 80 lbs. Where you live, placing your DD in a booster seat with a seat belt might be appropriate, but here in NJ, it would be illegal (regardless of manufacturer recommendations), as it is in FL.

 

[Familymoon]

hm - I always had the impression that the states follow the manufacturer's guidelines based on each seat.

 

[tjmw2727]

<<Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat.>>

I see nothing about 5 point harness in the Florida law - the OP's safety seat should be fine. If she is happy with her child in this seat and dosen't intent to use it on the aircraft there is no reason she should not use it. From what I have read so far this seat is not "against the law" in Florida.

TJ

 

[jel0511]

No, they don't each state has it's own guidelines regarding car seat usage. The manufacturers suggest what would be safe usage for the seats, but ultimately it's up to the individual states to set forth guidelines. Some states don't even have regulations in place for car seats, some have more stringent requirements (than the manufacturer), NJ is probably the strictest I know of. It's all for the safety of chldren, regardless of manufacturer suggestions. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children 4 and under 40 pounds be placed in a 5 point harness car seat, not a belt positioning booster (regardless of high back or no back). Now, that is in direct confliction with the manufacturer recommendations on the booster seat you own, and NJ adheres to that rule. See, it gets sticky and it's best to find out what your particular state, or any state you plan on traveling to, guidelines. Since it can vary widely state to state. For instance, we live in NJ, which has very strict car seat laws, my SIL lives in PA, which does not (only under 3 had to be restrained in a car seat). She will have to adhere to the NJ car seat laws when coming to us (a 35 minute drive) just to be safe. Now the car seat laws are considered a secondary offense, meaning you can't be pulled over for just that, but still there.

Actually tjmw2727, it is. I have several family members who live in FL full-time and we visit them quite often. To be sure I was in compliance, I first asked my cousin what the law was and that was her interpretation. I then called the local police department to where my MIL lives, and they also explained that this is the law as well. I believe the police on this one, since they would be the ones who'd enforce the law.

 

[mudnuri]

I was sitting here trying to remember when our DD's went from a 5 point harness to a booster seat....It was 40lbs...I believe they were each approx 4 years old at that time.

Funny this post is here, we just bought new boosters- the Turbo Booster...I recommend this for anyone who lives in a state with the same laws as Vermont (and now I know NJ)... 8 years old and 80 lbs. This turbo booster is more than adequate for that. I do know that the 4 booster seats we just smashed (2 in DH truck, 2 in my car)....were only rated for 40-60 lbs...with the oldest DD hitting 56-57 on the scale, we had to do something. IT has an adjustable head support- that slides up or down depending on child height...2 cup holders that slide in and out....adjustable arm rests, belt positioners for the shoulder strap...They are/were just on "roll back" at Walmart.com for about $46.00 we paid 58.00 at Sears..

here's a picture if this works..

Our law did not change until this past January- and MANY people who live her do not know it...MANY police officers also are not aware of it. I have spoken to a few in my own Town regarding the law, and I knew more than they did.

A bit off topic- but if any of you are planning a trip to Vermont, or New Jersey- and have a child 8 and under and 80 lbs and under- invest in a booster!....It's a VERY hefty ticket here, and comes with 4 points on your driver's license....and a bit different than NJ, you CAN and WILL be pulled over for this offense, Vermont has a program "click it or ticket"....and child seats are part of this police enforcement program..

Brandy

 

[BevS97]

So is the general consensus that the seat is NOT ok?

I am not actually asking for myself, my dd's are 6 (and she uses a high back booster) and 3 months, and she obviously uses an infant carrier. I have been asked by another friend who is travelling to FL and I don't want to give her inaccurate information.

I guess the crux of the matter is whether a separate carrier means it has to have straps or not?

Bev

 

[jel0511]

Bev - From what I've been told, this seat would not be o.k. for a 3 year old. I'd bring a seat with a 5 point harness, that way you'll know you'll be in compliance with the current laws.

mudnuri - that's the booster seat I actually have for my DD 5 1/2. It is a great booster seat. I was going to buy the Britax Booster, but this one was MUCH cheaper and was basically identical and had the cup holders. It rates the same as the Britax Booster in safety testing, so it truly is a great seat!!!!

 

[tw1nsmom]

Unless you're investing in a carseat that can hold a 40 plus pound child in its 5 point restraint (these are very very expensive...over $300) you should not put a larger child in a 5 point harness meant to hold a 40 pound or less child. Our twins are slightly over 3 1/2 and both weigh over 40 pounds. I was told by both the manufacturer and a police officer that specialized in car seat safety that it would be dangerous to continue using the 5 point harness. These are high quality car seats that cost more than $120 each. In the event of an accident, the mechanism that holds the straps to the seat can potentially break if a larger child is placed in them. We switched them over to boosters and I feel my children are much safer in them. No matter what the law is (we are following the law in NY) you have to do what is safe for your child. Squeezing a larger child into a 5 point harness is not the safest choice.

 

[kfeuer]

Originally posted by tw1nsmom
Unless you're investing in a carseat that can hold a 40 plus pound child in its 5 point restraint (these are very very expensive...over $300) you should not put a larger child in a 5 point harness meant to hold a 40 pound or less child. Our twins are slightly over 3 1/2 and both weigh over 40 pounds. I was told by both the manufacturer and a police officer that specialized in car seat safety that it would be dangerous to continue using the 5 point harness. These are high quality car seats that cost more than $120 each. In the event of an accident, the mechanism that holds the straps to the seat can potentially break if a larger child is placed in them. We switched them over to boosters and I feel my children are much safer in them. No matter what the law is (we are following the law in NY) you have to do what is safe for your child. Squeezing a larger child into a 5 point harness is not the safest choice.

Just wanted to add that I just bought the Britax Marathon which is a 5-point harness seat that is safe up to 65 pounds. I paid $187 for it (granted, I got a great deal, they are generally in the low $200's online). Sorry if it seems like I'm splitting hairs, but I wanted to clarify that there are safe 5-point harness seats out there that cost a lot less then you mentioned.

 

[Familymoon]

I also realized an issue we had. Our daughter is tall, and you cannot continue to use the harness belts on a child who is taller than the highest slats. (which is why, I believe, we had to shop for the highback 30lbs+ booster) -it's been a long time.

 

[dj2]

Effective 1/1/04, Illinois is changing its laws to have children in an appropriate restraint until age 8. I didn't know if this was a national or a state thing, so I've been surfing around tonight and learning, because I didn't know whether or not I'd need to bring DD7's booster seat with us to FL in January. The current Passporter newsletter has a pretty comprehensive discussion of child seats, and that's where I learned that I wouldn't be able to use her booster on the airplane. http://www.passporterboards.com/ubb/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=news&Number=406687

Yep, each state gets to decide. I found this web site tonight which others might like to see. It's not current for IL's new law-to-be, so it's possible that there might be other discrepancies, but it's a good starting point.
http://www.inventiveparent.com/state-laws.htm

My thinking is that if you're driving to WDW, you've got to be correct for each state you'll pass through....

BTW: DD's friends often comment about her seat, since not many 2nd graders use one (they will in January!). But we learned from a AAA spoonsored safety check (specially trained inspectors) that she's safest continuing to use a booster until she's about 80 lbs. and until her knees bend at the "right" angle when sitting on the back seat (in other words 90 degrees straight down while her tush is all the way back). That's where I also learned that she's too big to use the 5-point harness on the booster. I thought we were being safer, but, as the previous poster mentioned, it's not strong enough to hold her after 40 lbs. and would fail.

One last thing while I'm on a roll (sorry for being so long). If you've got a booster in your car and no child in it at the time (do we ever get to go places alone?), make sure to buckle it in anyway. Otherwise, it will become a heavy projectile in a crash.

 

[sarahsmom73]

I mentioneed in another post that we recently purchased the Simpson Pro- Am booster seat. It is a booster with a 5 point harness up to 40lbs.. At 40 lbs it is a high back with 3 levels to use the shouleder lap belt depending on the child's size up to 80 lbs... Our dd is 32 lbs but is very tall (off the charts for an almost 28 month old.. ). It is FAA approved when using the 5 point harness which was the big stipulation I had when buying it as we are headed to WDW in April. In fact we are flying out of Burlington, VT... I do like that after she out grows the 5 point there are 3 levels you can adjust the shoulder lap belt with.. Sorry so long!

 

[jel0511]

Unforunately with the new laws, some of the booster seats that have 5 point harnesses up to 40 lbs, will not work for some states that have laws requiring children under 4 to stay in a 5 point harness. A lot of children who are under 4 weigh more than 40 lbs, and those won't work. I have a Britax Marathon for my DS, andit's approved to be used with the 5 pont harness up to 65 lbs. Unforunately, these seats tha are approved for the higher weight limits for children are very expensive, usually around $200 or more. By the way, the Marathon is FAA approved.