Why age 3 for a booster car seat?

Kentuckychick_8201

I have been looking at carseats because DD will be outgrowing hers soon. DD is 35 lbs and the car seat I have only goes up to 40, but really my main concern is length and the way the car seat fits in my car.  I saw some nice boosters on target.com but it says recommended age 3 and up but the weight limit is 30 lbs and up. If she hits 40 lbs before age 3 why wait until then to get a booster?  I am just curious if someone knows of any safety reason for this.  Other than the rear facing issue.  DD hasn't been rear facing in a while. 

emiliemadison

Actually, age 4 AND 40 lbs is the minimum recommendation.  Some boosters have a 30 lb/3 year as the minimum age but that is incredibly dangerous.

A 40 lb child should still be in a 5 point harness, even if they're 4 years old. A 30 lb child child can still be rear facing in most seats. The reason it's not safe to switch to a booster before age 4 is that MOST 4 year olds (and not even all 5 year olds) are not mature enough to sit properly in a booster 100% of the time, no matter how much they weigh.  A booster's only job is to position the seat belt at a better angle. If a child does not sit correctly (leans, wiggles, reaches for toys, falls asleep in the car, etc) then the booster cannot do it's job. Children are so much safer in a harness.

If you're interested in a seat that will allow you to turn it into a booster eventually, then the Graco Nautilus is a great choice. You can keep your LO in a harness up to 65 lbs. I dont know why the height of the seats would be an issue if they're FF in your car.

DG1

It looks like KY doesn't have a lot of laws re: carseats, but many states are going to a 4yo minimum for boosters.

 

https://www.elitecarseats.com/custserv/custserv.jsp?pageName=car_seat_laws

 

 

Kentuckychick_8201

emiliemadison:

Actually, age 4 AND 40 lbs is the minimum recommendation.  Some boosters have a 30 lb/3 year as the minimum age but that is incredibly dangerous.

A 40 lb child should still be in a 5 point harness, even if they're 4 years old. A 30 lb child child can still be rear facing in most seats. The reason it's not safe to switch to a booster before age 4 is that MOST 4 year olds (and not even all 5 year olds) are not mature enough to sit properly in a booster 100% of the time, no matter how much they weigh.  A booster's only job is to position the seat belt at a better angle. If a child does not sit correctly (leans, wiggles, reaches for toys, falls asleep in the car, etc) then the booster cannot do it's job. Children are so much safer in a harness.

If you're interested in a seat that will allow you to turn it into a booster eventually, then the Graco Nautilus is a great choice. You can keep your LO in a harness up to 65 lbs. I dont know why the height of the seats would be an issue if they're FF in your car.

Okay I see.  One of the ones I was looking at looked as if it had a harness and now looking at it again I realize the difference.  I found one that has the harness but goes to a booster once she doesn't need a 5 point harness that seems to be perfect. 

Kentuckychick_8201

Okay I see.  One of the ones I was looking at looked as if it had a harness and now looking at it again I realize the difference.  I found one that has the harness but goes to a booster once she doesn't need a 5 point harness that seems to be perfect