When to move from convertible to booster seat?

ElizabethD

The Google has been annoying me with this question.

My son is 3.5, but REALLY tall, he's probably closeish to 40 lbs on either side of 40....

I am wondering what the "general" stats are on when kids can go to those simplier booster seats and can't seem to find the help! 

DandR

my SIL who works for the county department of health and has taken car seat installation classes told me that the general guideline is when they outgrow the regular car seats and can fit properly in a booster, where the seat belt hits them right.  It's not an age/weight thing...its a total size thing.

Taylor is 4 1/2, 38 lbs, tallish (not sure exactly)..just skinny and she's in a booster.  She's totally fine in it..the straps fit her perfectly.

DaiLyght

Doesn't it depend on the laws in your state?

Angela814

I'm pretty sure the law in WI is 40 lbs and 4 years, but I'd have to double check.  He has to be able to sit facing forward the entire car ride.

Try this site:

https://www.car-safety.org/

https://www.car-safety.org/basics.html

DandR

I had Taylor in the booster before she was 4...when she was 3 1/2 sounds about right.

 

heyitsme

4 years and 40 pounds is the minimum recommended age by CPS techs. It  has to do not only with age/bone structure, but also maturity. The true test is if a child can sit in a booster, using a lap/shoulder belt and not wiggle or slouch for the ENTIRE duration of the car ride. Doing either affects the fit of the seatbelt, and doesn't align it properly, which can cause serious injury in an accident.

 I have a friend whose son is 4 years and 43 pounds and sits just fine in a booster. My DD is 4 years and 36 pounds (so under the recommended weight, BUT booster seats are certified for 30 pounds and up so technically she COULD use one) but she does NOT sit up and sit still well enough for her to be in one. That and she complained she didn't like how it felt and wanted her harness back, LOL.
 

ErinNConnorsMom

I put my dd in a belt positioning booster when she was 3 1/2 (fine according to manufacturer's recommendations), and it fit her just fine.  At that point, none of the 5 pt harnesses that we found fit her properly.  There are better options now, fortunately.  We have the Graco Nautilus for my ds and the straps go high enough to still fit my dd.  That seat will be the last one that he needs, as it converts from a 5 pt harness to belt positioning booster to backless booster.  You may want to take your ds carseat shopping some place where they let you try out the carseats (BRU and TRU usually do).  It gets confusing when you're moving from one stage of carseat to the next, doesn't it? : ) 

gracendantho26

I put Natalie in one when she turned 5 years old. She has always been tall..she's aout 90% for height and 75% for weight. She really really wanted to be in a booster like her fellow kinder friends.

goodhartedmommy

Preferably not anywhere near 40 lbs or 4 years. It's safest to keep them harnessed as long as possible. The graco nautilus or britax frontier will keep him harnessed for a few more years, then turn into a belt positioning booster when he's more ready.