How long in Car seat??

jculp · August 2009

MIL is saying she doesn't want to buy a car seat for DD because she'll be out of it by 2 years old and into a booster. Is this true??? I really have no idea what a 80lb child (weight limit on front facing) is age wise but I thought she'd be in this until 3. You mom's of toddlers how long did they REALLY stay in car seat??

THANKS A BUNCH!!

CMDR513 · August 2009

Both nephews are almost 3 and 3.5 and still in convertible seats.

moosemax · August 2009

You go with the weight...and who's to say when they will be at the booster weight. I know a couple 3 yos still in convertibles.

Coleslawcat · August 2009

She should stay in a harnessed seat until at least 4. Children younger than that aren't mature enough to sit in a booster and not play with the seatbelt.

LydiaE2 · August 2009

Unlikely. DS is very tall and just outgrew his Priori, one of the shorter seats on the market, but most would fit rear facing till over 2. Most states require car seats till the age 4 and then a booster till age 8. For MIL the Cosco Senera is a great seat. Less than $50 bucks, rear facing for a long time. Light, one down side is a slightly difficult install, but my mom and I have figured out how to properly install it in her truck so that is no longer an issue for us.

olivejuice127 · August 2009

I know 9 years olds that are still in boosters..

cajuncutie0169 · August 2009

my nephew is almost six and he just (within the year) moved to a booster seat.

kittylove · August 2009

My niece is in her convertible at almost 3. Nephew is in a booster at 5 now but just made the switch, he is a little guy. I bought my mom her car seat, so that she could take DS out and I wouldn't have to worry about switching cars and stuff. Maybe just buy her it.

DG1 · August 2009

Just buy a car seat for her then.

Kids are in carseats (usually by law) WAY longer than they used to be. And it's best if they are in them up through the height/weight limit, even if that means they are significantly older.

ajanes · August 2009

The bare minimum to be out of a harnessed seat and in a booster is age 4 AND 40 lbs. However, most kids are not ready (developmentally) to be in a booster before age 5-6. They MUST sit correctly in the seatbelt (no slouching, leaning to reach anything, putting the shoulder strap behind them) 100% of the time. Also, kids who tend to fall asleep in the car are generally not ready. The position they are in while sleeping is not safe. We are just now booster training my 6 year old DSS.

Also, smaller kids are at a huge risk for "submarining" under the seat belt in a crash. Essentially, slipping under the seat belt and out of their booster. Please google Kyle David Miller Foundation. They will have tons of reasons why extended harnessing is infinitely safer.

Aliliv · August 2009

A convertible is well worth the money for MIL (and if she won't buy one, you could buy it for her). I'm planning to keep both DD's in convertibles until they outgrow them (I'm guessing 5 or 6). My nephew is 5 and still in his convertible. They need to be in one until 4 years old AND 40 lbs. Look for one that has higher weight and height restrictions and they will last much longer. So, 2 years old = convertible carseat (and in many instances, still rear-facing, which is much safer!).

vls80 · August 2009

My DD is 3.5 and still in a convertible, and will be for at least another 2-3 years. We bought one that she could be in for up to 70 lbs for that purpose. I will wait as long as possible before putting her in a booster.

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