does my 4 year old need a carseat?

[goobsmom]

We're going to Disney in a few weeks with DS4 and DS2-renting a car. I would rather avoid taking two carseats along, if it's legal. DS4 is 4, 40 pounds, and 44 inches. We still use one at home that he is about to grow out of- soon we'll have to start using just a booster. Should I buy the booster now and bring it, or do I not need to? I'm worried if he gets a week off of carseats, he'll complain about going back to one at home, and here in VA, I think the law is they have to be in one until age 6.

 

[ash&abby'smom]

Yes, he still needs one. The weight for a booster is 40 lbs, so you could switch him to one, but state police state they should still be in a 5 pt. harness. Either way, he needs some sort of seat.

 

[amc]

If you use a carseat at home why would you even think of not using one in FL?????????. Oh it's such a bother, but it might save your child's life in an accident.

 

[bartleby1]

If you will be renting a car, please put him in a booster seat. I don't want to sound like I'm preaching, but we all know that he is safest in the proper seat. It really shouldn't matter what the law is. Since he is 40 lbs and 4 years old, you can switch him to a booster seat. The regular seatbelts will not properly restrain him in a crash without a booster seat.

NJ changed the law a while back to include children up to 8 years or 80 lbs because the largest group of children being injured in car crashes was the "out of booster seat but not tall enough for seatbelt" group of kids. You certainly don't want your vacation to end in tragedy.

 

[beattyfamily]

Actually, Florida law is 4 and up do not need a carseat.

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

This is a hot topic for some so be prepared. You will be told you are a bad parent for even considering not bringing one. Do what's best for your family.

What I did was I bought two of the no back booster seats when my girls were old enough and I bought a carseat bag at Babies R Us and they both fit in it. I then check it with my luggage so I don't have to carry it around the airport.

 

[jodifla]

We're going to Disney in a few weeks with DS4 and DS2-renting a car. I would rather avoid taking two carseats along, if it's legal. DS4 is 4, 40 pounds, and 44 inches. We still use one at home that he is about to grow out of- soon we'll have to start using just a booster. Should I buy the booster now and bring it, or do I not need to? I'm worried if he gets a week off of carseats, he'll complain about going back to one at home, and here in VA, I think the law is they have to be in one until age 6.

In Florida, it is legal to have your 4 year old with just the seat belt.

You might try a backless booster for travel. They are inexpensive and less cumbersome than a whole booster seat.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

On the flip side--a 5 point harness is only as safe as the weight/size limits of the car seat. If he is growing out of the car seat, the seat no longer is serving a safe purpose in restraining him in a crash.

My daughter has been in a booster since about his size (in fact, in one now as she is that size).

I'm confused about VA requiring a physical car seat until age 6. MOst on the market cannot accomodate a child of that size and a booster seat is very sufficient. Is it just that they need to be in at least a booster until age 6?

Please bring a booster seat.

 

[goobsmom]

Wow! I was asking, basically, what the law is in FL. I thought I had heard that at age 4, or 40 lb, they are no longer required. I know every state is different. My brother and sister in CA, age 7, just had to go back in booster seats when they changed the law from 6 to 8 years old. I would never let him go without a carseat if it were against the law, whether we were here in VA or in FL.
I can't believe that the law would be that he needs a 5 point harness. He is too tall for his seat with a five point harness now. I thought our next step was a belt positioning booster.
Thank you, beattyfamily, that sounds like a good idea, the backless booster. Where did you find the info about the FL law? Does that mean children older than 5 are not required by law to be in a seatbelt?? That's crazy!
Thank you for the opinions.

 

[goobsmom]

Yes, Lisa, they need a booster until age 6 in VA. Sorry I wasn't clear.

 

[beattyfamily]

Thank you, beattyfamily, that sounds like a good idea, the backless booster. Where did you find the info about the FL law? Does that mean children older than 5 are not required by law to be in a seatbelt?? That's crazy!
Thank you for the opinions.

I found it at myflorida.com under FAQ.

No, that's not what it means. Children under 18 must wear a seatbelt. The wording is confusing but children age 4 and up have to wear a seatbelt at the very least.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Thank you, beattyfamily, that sounds like a good idea, the backless booster. Where did you find the info about the FL law? Does that mean children older than 5 are not required by law to be in a seatbelt?? That's crazy!
Thank you for the opinions.

NO--children must be belted at all times.

http://www.kidseat.org/cpsweek/cpsw...oridas Child Restraint & Safety Belt Laws.pdf

(seems almost contradictory--it says children under 6 must be restrained at all times...but then goes on to say that under 18 must be belted).

So age is not the automatic factor in determining how to be restrained. If you have a 30 pound 4 yo...who should size wise be in a restraint system--then the law would mean that they have to be in a restraint system. It is whatever is proper for the child for ages under 6.

 

[graciepooh]

Goobsmom, I thought I saw a collapsable car seat on ebay the other day. I know nothing about them but it might be worth a look. I thought it was reasonable too. I have flown with a car seat before. I was allowed to carry my childs car seat onto the plane and install it just like it was in the car. This was great on the plane but it was bulky in the airport. I was alone and had to manage dd18m car seat, stroller, and carry on luggage. If my husband had been there I really don't think it would have been that difficult because I would have let him deal with the seat Good luck with however it works out for you. Even if it's difficult at the airport your going to have a great time on vacation.

 

[BriNJ]

It sounds like your son should move into a booster, and out of a car seat. At a certain size (check the manual for your carseat) a regular carseat is not protecting him at all, because he will be over the height and weight limits.

We bought a Graco Turbo Booster and like it. DS is nearly 6 and has been in it for about a year (at nearly 6, he's almost reached 40lbs). DD is 4 and 33lbs and will switch to a Turbo Booster when she reaches 35lbs (the weight on the Turbo Booster is 30lbs, btw). As long as your child does not need the "restraint" of the carseat to keep him in it, a booster should be appropriate for him.

I'd definately keep him in a booster in Florida, you never know what could happen and although its a little more work and inconvience, its worth it.

Hugs
Bri

 

[crisi]

As I recall, legally children aren't required to have a childseat in a car for hire (rental car or taxi) no matter what their age in Florida. Not that I recommend you drive around with an unrestrained two year old.

 

[goobsmom]

Yes, he is about at the limit for his seat. The limit is 40 pounds- he weighs 40.0 when he steps on the scale. The straps are getting slightly below the tops of his shoulders, too. I think I will get a backless booster.
It wouldn't surprise me if seats aren't legally required in a rental, because I know they are not required in a taxi or bus.

 

[jodifla]

NO--children must be belted at all times.

http://www.kidseat.org/cpsweek/cpsw...oridas Child Restraint & Safety Belt Laws.pdf

(seems almost contradictory--it says children under 6 must be restrained at all times...but then goes on to say that under 18 must be belted).

So age is not the automatic factor in determining how to be restrained. If you have a 30 pound 4 yo...who should size wise be in a restraint system--then the law would mean that they have to be in a restraint system. It is whatever is proper for the child for ages under 6.

That's not how I read the Florida law. 4 years old can go into a seat belt. I see nothing that says anything about height or weight in Florida law.

 

[frannn]

DD3 is just hitting 40 lbs and is very tall for her age. We still have her in a carseat, but I don't think it is all that safe due to her size. We live in NY. She will be 4 on Sept 30th, but we are going to WDW in mid Sept. Can we put her in a booster now, for use in both states?

As a side note, I'm very nervous about our plane ride, as I know you can't bring a booster on the plane. I felt much safer when she was secured in a car seat.

 

[rt2dz]

There are actual recommendations regarding children in car seats. The strictest states have these recommendations in law, other states are more lax with there laws. My question is why would you do anything that isn't the absolute safest for your child even if the law is more lax? Of course, I'm a little fanatic because I was very lucky to come out of a car accident alive when I was 18.

For those interested, the recommendations are:
one year and 20 lbs must be in a rear facing car seat. At 40 lbs a child can go to a backless booster. If they are above the height limits for their 5-point harness, but not 40 lbs a booster with a back should be used. The backless booster should continue to be used to age 8 or 80 lbs, preferably both.

 

[tessqt]

My ds was 6.5 when we went but he is small. We went to Walmart and got a cheap booster seat to use while we had our rental, but found out that our mini-van had seats in it on our final day. After looking at them I don't know if he would have been too big for them, I didn't really check them out too well. We gave our seat to the desk clerk at the last hotel we stayed at which was off-site, so we didn't have to drag it to the airport.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I purchased a Graco booster seat that has a removable back. I use it with the back in my car at home and backless when we travel. I also have a PacBack car seat carrier. It is like a board with straps for the carseat and backpack straps. It sits nice and snug on your back-much easier on the adult than the carseat bags. I was able to put my oldest's booster in the seat of the younger child's carseat and even got a carryon on top of that. That really help getting things through the airport. I just put the booster in the overhead storage on the plane.

Here's a link to the Pacback: pac back

frann-I think your DD will be fine on the plane. I did bring a carseat for my DD(33 months) last Oct but that is the last time I will. The carseat did keep her safe and I think it help her to realize that she had to stay seated but the problem with the carseat is it raises the child up and makes it so much easier for them to kick or even just push on the seat in front of them. I spent nearly the whole flight trying to keep her from kicking the seat. They also can't use the tray with the carseat. She'll be 3 1/2 when she flys for the first time without a carseat.