Booster seat question

FrickandFrack

Our plan is to move DS2 into DS1's 3in1 seat and get DS1 a booster seat once DS2 reaches the 30 pound weight limit. The problem is that DS2 is already 15lbs and I'm not sure we will make it until Aug. when DS1 turns 4. Do kids have to be 4 years and 40lbs to move to a booster or can they be 40lbs and not quite 4 years old?

Arnegard

I would buy another seat over putting a child under 4 in a seat belt only seat.  I moved DD2 at just shy of 5 and still have questioned her maturity to sit nicely in it.  A lot of states do have a 4 AND 40 lbs law. 

FrickandFrack

Moidonna:

I'm not aware of a 4 and 40 lbs. rule, but I'd look into it.nbsp; Can you get a booster withnbsp; a back?nbsp; They only have to be 30 lbs. for that, and I don't think they have to be 4.nbsp; I agree with making sure he is ready though.nbsp; How about a booster seat that also comes with a 5 point harness option?

Yes, I'm looking at all boosters, some that have 5 point harnesses and the high back ones that you use the seatbelt with.

FrickandFrack

Arnegard:

I would buy another seat over putting a child under 4 in a seat belt only seat.nbsp; I moved DD2 at just shy of 5 and still have questioned her maturity to sit nicely in it.nbsp; A lot of states do have a 4 AND 40 lbs law.nbsp;

I'm terrified of only using the seatbelt but I do think DS will be mature enough for it. I will probably buy another with the 5 point harness.

FrickandFrack

GhostMonkey:

https://www.carseat.org/showpost.php?p=370859amp;postcount=1nbsp;

Thank you for this link. It is very informative.

jehprb

Ditto the others - it's a maturity thing and a size thing; there's no magic age.  My DS just turned 7 and is still in a 5pt.  He's absolutely mature enough to handle it even for long trips but he's only around 35ish pounds.  Even if he was 40+ pounds though I'm sure I'd leave him just where he is :-)

FrickandFrack

fredalina:

Please don't put a 3 year old or even a 4 year old in a seat belt only booster. There are FAR too many stories out there of "properly buckled" 3 year olds dying in belt positioning boosters. The studies are clear that a 5 point harness is far safer to age 5. Plan on that.

After reading GhostMonkeys link, I'm not going to get a seat belt only booster. I was terrified to begin with and am now convinced that a 5 point harness will be in our future for a very long time!

gimmietimmies

Totally late to the party, but no way way in heck would I put an under 4 in a seatbelt only booster, safety reasons included, but my sanity couldn't take it. FWIW, E is just coming out of the harness on hers and she's turning 7. There are good options out there, head over to car-seat.org and they'll give you good suggestions. Although at 3 with a tiny kid I'd still be rf, but that's just me.