When did you go from car seat to booster?

[mom2aredhead]

My son is 4.5, just under 44" and weighs about 40 lbs. He is currently in a Britax Wizard that has a weight limit of 65 lbs and a height limit of about 48 or 49", so he still fits in it. And more importantly, he's perfectly comfy in it and has never complained about being strapped in.

The other day we went out (locally - 10 minute ride) with friends and took their car, and he looked perfectly comfy sitting on a backless booster using the lap/shoulder belt. It was so much more roomy in the car without the ginormous seat, and easier to get in and out, and going in someone else's car would be so much easier if we could just grab the booster and go.

Although part of me still likes the idea of a 5 pt harness, I can't help but think it's time to move out of the big car seat. I really don't want to go and buy one of those seats that's a booster with a harness because it's basically a lesser version of what he's in now.

Thoughts??

 

[jack hannah bananah]

I moved my kids when they were 40 lbs. (although we too have a Britax). But we have moved out of necessity. Each time I had another baby that had to move into the Britax. I would keep them in the safest seat possible as long as possible. If he is not complaining, then why not. If you do make the move to the booster, there are ones that come up behind them like a regular seat and wrap around the side of their heads - safer than just the regular booster seat under them.

 

[needabreaknow]

We bought a backless booster for my son when he turned 3 but he still was only 31 lbs,and 38 inches .The booster was safe for 30lbs and up. ( Cosco brand from Walmart). However my squirrelly son was not really mature enough for it at that age, so we went back to the 5 pt, even though he was on the brink of being too tall, and just carried the booster in our trunk in case he went with another relative, etc so we weren't hauling the big one all over the place. We ended up buying a backed booster that converts to a backless one a couple of months ago ( almost 4 years old)because he was getting too tall for the 5 pt harness and its really light and he likes it.It was the graco from Babies R us with a height adjuster for the seatbelt.

 

[sapereaude]

I don't feel the boosters are as safe as a 5 point restraint, so my Daughter, who is 5, 50lbs, not sure about height is right now in a Britax Regent and will stay there until she outgrows it (she's got lots of room)

However, I'm considering a backless booster for the disney trip as I cannot haul a regent or my son's marathon through an airport.

 

[thistle922]

My son is 4.5, just under 44" and weighs about 40 lbs. He is currently in a Britax Wizard that has a weight limit of 65 lbs and a height limit of about 48 or 49", so he still fits in it. And more importantly, he's perfectly comfy in it and has never complained about being strapped in.

The other day we went out (locally - 10 minute ride) with friends and took their car, and he looked perfectly comfy sitting on a backless booster using the lap/shoulder belt. It was so much more roomy in the car without the ginormous seat, and easier to get in and out, and going in someone else's car would be so much easier if we could just grab the booster and go.

Although part of me still likes the idea of a 5 pt harness, I can't help but think it's time to move out of the big car seat. I really don't want to go and buy one of those seats that's a booster with a harness because it's basically a lesser version of what he's in now.

Thoughts??

We moved DS 4.5 from his Roundabout to a Compass B510 Premier around his 4th birthday (he was maybe a month shy of 4). He's 42", and over 40lbs, so in our state he could go w/a backless booster, but I'm more comfortable with him having the back on it. The Compass is nice because it folds up, and we'll be taking it with us when we fly down to WDW this weekend.

I was really uptight about moving him from the harness, but he's done so well. He doesn't unclick the belt until he's told to, and it is just so much easier than dealing with the car seat (even though Britax seats are so easy to use..they're just HUGE!)

Additionally, it's been awesome to be able to just throw the booster in Grandma's car, or his Aunt/Uncle's car when they take him somewhere, or when we need to take the seat out of ours. It's great to not have to fiddle with the latch and all that jazz.

Good luck w/your decision...I know I had a hard time with it, but it was my own hang-up because it meant he was officially starting to be a "big boy" and I was SO not ready to admit that! LOL!

 

[daleswife]

I moved my dd into a backless booster when she was about 3 1/2. Shes very tall and her weight was about 42lbs. She's 5 now and about 52lbs. My son is in a convertible car seat/booster seat.

 

[luvmy3]

My son is 4.5, just under 44" and weighs about 40 lbs. He is currently in a Britax Wizard that has a weight limit of 65 lbs and a height limit of about 48 or 49", so he still fits in it. And more importantly, he's perfectly comfy in it and has never complained about being strapped in.

The other day we went out (locally - 10 minute ride) with friends and took their car, and he looked perfectly comfy sitting on a backless booster using the lap/shoulder belt. It was so much more roomy in the car without the ginormous seat, and easier to get in and out, and going in someone else's car would be so much easier if we could just grab the booster and go.

Although part of me still likes the idea of a 5 pt harness, I can't help but think it's time to move out of the big car seat. I really don't want to go and buy one of those seats that's a booster with a harness because it's basically a lesser version of what he's in now.

Thoughts??

I could have written this post. MY ds is the same age and in the same exact seat right now. I have been wanting to move him into a different seat but he doesn't want to. I have a graco 5 point harness (I don't know the name of it) that I want to put him in because although the wizard is great seat, I think its a little "babyish" for him when he starts K in the fall. I also have the backless booster but I don't think he's quite ready for that yet.
I'm not sure about the recommendations for when to stop using a 5 point harness, but I think as long as they don't mind them I would keep them in it just to be safe. I think my other ds and my dd were around 6 when they went to the backless boosters.
Graco used to make a booster with a back that was removable. I'm not sure if they still do, this was years ago. We used that for my dd, it allowed her to use the seatbelt and it had a place put it through and guide it over the shoulder so it fit correctly. After she got too tall we just took the back part off.

http://www.target.com/Graco-Turbo-Booster-Ionic/dp/B000LP3VEG/ref=sc_ri_3/602-2797781-2978253

This is what we had for dd

 

[lil mermaid]

My DD is 36 lbs and about 40 1/2 inches. She is still happy in her Marathon, and it is my intent to keep her in a 5 point harness for as long as possible.

OP - you have a great seat, and it is working for you. Why is it that you want to switch? Every time you "move up" a step (i.e, from rear facing to forward facing, from carseat to booster, from booster to seatbelt) it is a step down in safety.

I'd keep him right where he is.

 

[millerpjm]

We bought 2 Britax Regents when DS outgrew his Roundabout (by height only) and at age 5 1/2 he's just fine in them. I did buy a Graco turbo booster for the grandparents' car, and he is comfortable with that too, but he's pretty squirmy, so I like the 5 point harness for him in our cars.

I would not move him at this point - safety trumps convenience in my book, especially if he's still perfectly content in the Wizard and still fits in it.

 

[perkinsrose]

We switched to boosters With Backs around 5yrs or so. For my DS we removed the back around 6/7yrs--depends on their height and where their shoulders hit.

The boosters with backs really are soo much easier to move than reg. carseats. Moving/carrying the booster (without the back) not much of a difference.

We have 2 Graco boosters that have removable backs. They are used with the car's seat belts. One was purchased 3-4 yrs ago and it is for shorter kids. The Graco Turbobooster i bought more recently extends for taller kids for longer duration of use--my tall 6yr old fits in it safely and comfortably with the back on.

I like the backs because kids have a bit of support for their head if they doze in the car.

I like that in an emergency, they can unbuckle themselves--the car's seat belt is an easy to press button. While other harness systems i've had with carseats are hard to press and take some dexterity. I'm sure some families wouldn't want the kids to be able to unbuckle themselves. Certainly makes sense for very young kids to need assistance to get out of seat. By the time my kids were 3 or 4, they knew about safety/seats in the car and i wouldn't have been concerned about them escaping within the car.

This site has alot of safety/ carseat/ booster info AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS

www.aap.org/family/Carseatguide.htm

 

[momtwo4]

Everyday use my kids use 2 yr old- Britax Roundabout. 5yr old Britax Regent, and about twice a month Britax booster w/ back, and two 8 yr olds backless boosters. My older 2 still like to use boosters since they can see out the window sitting in them.

I will keep my 5 yr old in a 5pt as long as possible, since it's safer and he's a peanut
Everyone does what they have to do, and are comfortable with

 

[hoosiergirl7]

Our son was just shy of 4 when we moved him out of a car-seat and to a booster. Our reason was he was getting to tall for the straps and was complaining they hurt. We didn't go to a backless booster though. We got a backed one with a 5-pt harness (Eddie Bauer at Toys R Us). Doesn't complain one bit about it and actually loves it. I plan on keeping him wearing the 5-pt harness as long as possible. Eventually he'll be able to sit in the booster with just a regular seatbelt. I also love it because it can hold up to 100 lbs. Not that our son will need it when he's that weight. He's a beanpole - tall and very skinny!

 

[Juliet25]

My 5 y.o is in a Britax Marathon. I believe it expires in six years, so I'll transition her to a booster when she's 6. She's fine being in car seat and I feel safer with her strapped in, so we're not messing with a good thing.

 

[adisneymama]

I have a 6 yo DD who is 35 lbs and 44" she is in a Recaro Como 5 pt harness and will stay there until she outgrows it. It says it is for kids up to 8 yrs old and 70 lbs. This does not convert to a booster, the 5 pt is rated that high. She will remain in it until she is too big for it. I do have a Recaro booster that we use for friends that ride with us or for a spare for someone elses car but that is rare.

DS is 16 mos and he is in a Recaro Signo. Same seat with the exception that I don't have to take it out of the van to readjust the straps as he grows. I just turn the knobs on the side. Again, goes to age 8 ad 70 lbs in the 5 pt harness does not convert to a booster. I will leave him in this seat until he hits the max as well.

I'm very strict with car seats and my kids, so I would not move your son to a backless booster at all. If you are going to move him to a booster it really needs to at least have a back to it.

 

[jodifla]

My son is 4.5, just under 44" and weighs about 40 lbs. He is currently in a Britax Wizard that has a weight limit of 65 lbs and a height limit of about 48 or 49", so he still fits in it. And more importantly, he's perfectly comfy in it and has never complained about being strapped in.

The other day we went out (locally - 10 minute ride) with friends and took their car, and he looked perfectly comfy sitting on a backless booster using the lap/shoulder belt. It was so much more roomy in the car without the ginormous seat, and easier to get in and out, and going in someone else's car would be so much easier if we could just grab the booster and go.

Although part of me still likes the idea of a 5 pt harness, I can't help but think it's time to move out of the big car seat. I really don't want to go and buy one of those seats that's a booster with a harness because it's basically a lesser version of what he's in now.

Thoughts??

I moved my DS when he was just over 4. He's a tall kid, and his shoulders were above the top slots of his convertible car seat. I couldn't find a 5-pt harness that fit him.


We got the TurboBooster for both cars. The baby sitter has a backless booster.

In your case, considering that he fits well and is comfortable in the seat and you already own it, I'd just put a backless booster in my trunk for trips in other people's cars or in rental cars.

 

[nessz79]

We moved our son to a backless booster when he was a little over 4 years old.

Our youngest we are going to wait as long as possible. He really wants to be like his older brother so we'll have to put him in a booster sometime after he turns 4 (in a couple months), but we're going to wait until he realizes that the turned 4 and puts two and two together .

 

[teresajoy]

My son is 4.5, just under 44" and weighs about 40 lbs. He is currently in a Britax Wizard that has a weight limit of 65 lbs and a height limit of about 48 or 49", so he still fits in it. And more importantly, he's perfectly comfy in it and has never complained about being strapped in.

The other day we went out (locally - 10 minute ride) with friends and took their car, and he looked perfectly comfy sitting on a backless booster using the lap/shoulder belt. It was so much more roomy in the car without the ginormous seat, and easier to get in and out, and going in someone else's car would be so much easier if we could just grab the booster and go.

Although part of me still likes the idea of a 5 pt harness, I can't help but think it's time to move out of the big car seat. I really don't want to go and buy one of those seats that's a booster with a harness because it's basically a lesser version of what he's in now.

Thoughts??

To answer your origianal question, TEN years old and still counting! I'm guessing she will fit in her Britax Regent for another year, and I'm worried that I'll be forced to use a booster seat for her after that. So, no, I do not think it's time to mouve out of the big car seat for your son. As long as you can find a 5 point harness that your son fits in (and nowadays, that is a LONG time!) you should use one. The convenience of a smaller, lighter seat is not worth your son's life. My youngest is 5, and I would never let her ride in a booster seat.

 

[HeatherSue]

I must agree wholeheartedly with my sister!! My daughter is 5 and she outgrew (by strap height) her Britax Wizard a few months ago. I got her the Britax Regent and she'll use that puppy until she gets too tall for it. It's so important to keep your kids in a 5 point harness AND tether strap as long as possible. It's worth the extra hassle to keep your kids as safe as possible.

I was convinced by this youtube video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ&feature=related

and this one helped reinforce it:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y2LFo8vVi04&feature=related

Here's a video with LOTS of older kids in 5 pt harnesses.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kVVCwZid4To
-
-
-
-
-

 

[cruiserkaren]

To answer your origianal question, TEN years old and still counting! I'm guessing she will fit in her Britax Regent for another year, and I'm worried that I'll be forced to use a booster seat for her after that. So, no, I do not think it's time to mouve out of the big car seat for your son. As long as you can find a 5 point harness that your son fits in (and nowadays, that is a LONG time!) you should use one. The convenience of a smaller, lighter seat is not worth your son's life. My youngest is 5, and I would never let her ride in a booster seat.

Your 10 year old is still in a carseat? Just making sure I'm reading that right.

 

[waltskids]

I must agree wholeheartedly with my sister!! My daughter is 5 and she outgrew (by strap height) her Britax Wizard a few months ago. I got her the Britax Regent and she'll use that puppy until she gets too tall for it. It's so important to keep your kids in a 5 point harness AND tether strap as long as possible. It's worth the extra hassle to keep your kids as safe as possible.

I was convinced by this youtube video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ&feature=related

and this one helped reinforce it:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y2LFo8vVi04&feature=related

Here's a video with LOTS of older kids in 5 pt harnesses.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kVVCwZid4To
-
-
-
-
-

Those videos are so sad Our DS is only 19 months old but I will be sure to keep him in a 5pt harness for as long as possible!! Thanks for the link to the videos.