OT: Would you use a backless booster seat?

[laughinplace199]

My DD (age 7) and DS (age 5) ride in high-back booster seats (Britax Starriser and Britax Parkway) in our car, but I have 2 backless Graco boosters that I use occasionally for playdates, etc.

When we go to WDW in April, we will be bringing the infant car seat and stroller for DS (5 months). I was thinking of bringing the backless boosters for the "big kids" because they're smaller and a little easier to transport (the seats, not the kids ). However, I'm not crazy about the backless seats. The ones with the high backs seem safer somehow.

I'd love to hear your opinions of backless boosters. Do you think they're just as safe as high-back boosters? Maybe I am over-thinking this! Thank you!

 

[all4fun]

backless boosters basically just provide protection from internal injuries caused by the adult seatbelt by boosting the child up so it fits their body properly.

Highback boosters do that PLUS they provide Side Impact Protection.

This article explains the differences between the two:

http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/automotive/report-49146.html

* Belt-positioning booster seats provided a 58 percent overall reduction in risk of injury to 4-to 8-year-olds in side-impact crashes as compared with seat belts alone. (These findings support prior PCPS research, which shows booster seats to be 59 percent effective in reducing injury risk to 4-to 8-year-olds in crashes of all impact directions.)
* The risk reduction provided by booster seats in side-impact crashes varied by booster seat type: 4-to 8-year-olds riding in high back booster seats were at a 70 percent reduction in injury risk, while those in backless boosters did not experience a statistically significant risk reduction as compared with seat belts alone.
* However, both types of booster seats provided significant protection from "seat belt syndrome" injuries to the internal abdominal organs and lumbar spine. Most of the injuries to children seated in backless booster seats were head injuries.
* Possible explanations for non-significant reduction in injury risk for backless booster seats are that parents may be less likely to use to use the shoulder belt- positioner that comes with backless booster seats and that high back boosters have a contoured back that may better contain the occupant in side-impact crashes.

Hth.

 

[Trixie15]

When we traveled to AZ at Christmas time, we brought the backless boosters for the older two kids. We are still using 4 carseats and I just couldn't lug the 3 high-back ones and the infant carrier. Two backless boosters fit perfectly together in a large black trashbag for checking at the gate.

 

[tjmw2727]

I would - and did for travel just as you are suggesting esp for the 7yo. We always used a high back bpb in my car since used that 90% of the time. then we had a low back for carpool, dh's and such so we used it for travel.

Personally I think 5 would be the youngest age I would consider the backless booster and again only for travel or occasional use. It also depends on the child and if he/she will sit in properly so the lap/shoulder belt works correctly. Otherwise it may be worth lugging the highback - esp if he/she still falls asleep in the car.

TJ

 

[dhardawa]

Your 7 year old would probably be fine. What does your 5 year old weigh? The minimum weight on backless boosters is 40 lbs. The great thing about backless boosters is that you can toss them in the overhead bin and not worry about the airline destroying them. We went on a cruise in November and I took a backless for my daughter for the ride to and from the airport. She is also 7. Would I want it for a daily seat? No. Would I use it the way you want to? Yes.

The main difference between the two is that the high back boosters offer side impact protection and the backless don't. Also, kids tend to sit better in the high back and not slump over in the seat. They are much better for sleeping as well.

Dana

 

[laughinplace199]

Your 7 year old would probably be fine. What does your 5 year old weigh? The minimum weight on backless boosters is 40 lbs...

My 5 yr old is 38 or 39 lbs. Maybe I'll bring his reg booster and the backless one for DD7. Thanks.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

The minimum weight on backless boosters is 40 lbs.

Actually, that is not correct. Here is a link to the car seat safety page of the American Adademy of Pediatrics website:

http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm

If you scroll down to the charts, there is information on weight and height limits for all kinds of seats.

The Combi Dakota has a minimum of 33 pounds, and the Cosco High Rise Ambassador lists 30 (although I'm wondering based on the name if this is truly a backless booster).

 

[all4fun]

Actually, that is not correct. Here is a link to the car seat safety page of the American Adademy of Pediatrics website:

http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm

If you scroll down to the charts, there is information on weight and height limits for all kinds of seats.

The Combi Dakota has a minimum of 33 pounds, and the Cosco High Rise Ambassador lists 30 (although I'm wondering based on the name if this is truly a backless booster).

True, there are a couple that have a lower minimum of 30 or 33lbs, but still it's not ideal for kids under 40lbs. They truly are meant more for situations where a vehicle headrest would interfere with a HBB, or the child is too tall for most HBB's, but stil doesn't pass the 5 step test here: http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.pdf

For occasional use with a taller/older child, as a backup or travel seat, I also think they are fine.

 

[zoemurr]

but ride in harnessed Britax regents. I was going to use backless boosters (my mom is buying them and meeting us there) but they will only be used to drive from park to park on a few days (and even then I'm not wild about it.)

How much driving will you be doing? I don't know what the driving is like between parks? Do you have to travel on highways?

Also, you need to know what type of vehicle you will have. It NEEDS to have head support if you are going backless.

It's great that you have your kids in seats at all at these ages.. many parents do not and it drives me NUTS!! (I believe FL carseat law only goes to 4, but I could be wrong..)

Have fun!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

The highback booster also allows for the proper placement of the shoulder strap. That's a high priority for me.

 

[beattyfamily]

I bought the backless specifically for the rental cars at Disney, I think when my youngest was 5 (they are now 7 and 10). They are great for transporting to Disney on the plane (I put them both in a carseat bag I got at Babies R Us for $20 and I check them with my other luggage).

Sounds like a good plan taking one backless and one high back.

Have fun!

 

[tjmw2727]

The highback booster also allows for the proper placement of the shoulder strap. That's a high priority for me.

Just an fyi - the backless boosters do have a strap and clip to adjut the shoulder strap. Unfortunately, parents often omit using this (like my sil) But I agree with the majority that of course a 5pt harenss is the best, then high back bpb and finally (if at all) a backless bpb.

We found having one backless bp booster (with the shoulder adjustment strap) to use for car pool, granparents and travel was a very good investment once my kids reached the 5-6 age.

TJ

 

[U2_rocks!]

We wanted to bring our backless boosters (that we use at home for carpooling/grandparent trips etc.), but the girls still fall asleep in the car at the drop of a hat when really tired, and the backless doesn't offer any head support. Since we're renting a car and I don't know what the back seats will be like, I've decided to just bring 2 harnessed seats for them. I don't have an infant to contend with, though! If I were you I'd bring 1 full booster and 1 backless.

 

[laughinplace199]

Thanks for all of the great responses and info. We're definitely going to bring the high back booster for DS5. We're still deciding about what to do for DD7, but I'm leaning toward bringing her high back booster as well. They both fall asleep in the car when they're really tired and we all know how exhausted kids can be after a day in the parks! Thanks again!

 

[TiggerStac]

My problem w/the backless booster is that my kid falls fast asleep in the car..and what does he do, slump over to the side!! The highback boosters have the side protection, so he is still upright. We brought just the bottom part of his 2 piece graco that's in hubbys truck for our drive from airport to DCL and noticed how he slumped over the side when he fell asleep!! And believe me, my DS loves to sleep in the car. He was 45 inches and 45 lbs at the time (5 years). I am just afraid he will go flying out because he is not sitting upright.