When do you switch to a booster

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When do you switch to a booster?

I wait until the latest I can because of safety

34%

[ 16 ]

The earliest that is safe- minimum age/height

23%

[ 11 ]

In between the above

36%

[ 17 ]

Other

[ 2 ]

Total Votes : 46

amother

OP ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 6:48 pm

My child has just reached the minimum weight/age by the state. It would make my life much easier if she can be in a booster seat instead of a full upright forward facing one. I wouldn’t be buying a new product, the current one can turn into a booster.
But I’ve heard that just because she’s the minimum doesn’t mean it’s safe yet.
When it comes to safety, if it’s just an inconvenience on my part I try to push myself as much as I can. Like some of my children weren’t switched to forward facing at the earliest possible time bc they didn’t mind so I pushed them as long as possible, whereas one of mine hated it so I switched her the first moment I could.
My daughter doesn’t care about a booster, it’s more my inconvenience…but it would make things much easier.
Thoughts?

amother

Tomato ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 6:50 pm

If child doesn't care, I wait.

amother

cornflower

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 7:04 pm

What's more convenient about a booster? I find that my little ones have an easier time strapping themselves independently into a ff car seat than a booster. So it makes my life easier. I guess if you constantly need seats switched around then a booster is easier.

amother

Moonstone ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 7:32 pm

I let them switch to a booster for short local rides to practice proper sitting a good 6 months before they sit in the booster for longer trips. Also booster is more about age/ maturity than size.

amother

Honeydew ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 7:37 pm

I find boosters messy for young kids. They sit better and it’s easier to buckle them into a car seat. I get forward facing car seats that convert to boosters. For safety they should not be in a booster before 6. Some very big 5 year olds fit ok. But most are not ready before 6.

bsy ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 8:18 pm

My 8 and 6 year olds are in forward facing car seats.

amother

Gold

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 8:21 pm

I do what's easier. Our Hishtadlus for safety doesn't have to be more than following basic safety guidelines.

amother

↑ Honeydew ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 8:24 pm

amother Gold wrote:

I do what's easier. Our Hishtadlus for safety doesn't have to be more than following basic safety guidelines.

The laws are only updated to match what we know as safe when people sue or petition for it. Our hishtadlus is to follow what we know is safe despite the laws not being updated. So if you only follow laws you aren’t doing hishtadlus.

amother

↑ Moonstone ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 8:26 pm

bsy wrote:

My 8 and 6 year olds are in forward facing car seats.

The 8 year old is still within the limits of your car seat?

↑ bsy ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 8:28 pm

amother Moonstone wrote:

The 8 year old is still within the limits of your car seat?

The Costco finale is for bigger kids.

Hashem_Yaazor ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 8:43 pm

amother Gold wrote:

I do what's easier. Our Hishtadlus for safety doesn't have to be more than following basic safety guidelines.

Basic safety guidelines mean the child fits in the booster properly with the lap and shoulder belt in the right position and is mature enough to stay seated in that manner (without wriggling, crossing legs, etc) as well as meeting minimum booster weight requirement for that seat.

I often see failure to comply with those basic safety measures.

amother

Silver

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 8:46 pm

High back booster with 5 point harness is just as safe as a car seat imo

amother

↑ Moonstone ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 8:50 pm

bsy wrote:

The Costco finale is for bigger kids.

Kids come in different sizes Smile

my 6 year old is already 60 lbs, I can't imagine her not hitting 65 in the next year. But she's also tall and will probably hit the ceiling in her booster by 8 or 9...

amother

↑ Moonstone

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 8:50 pm

amother Silver wrote:

High back booster with 5 point harness is just as safe as a car seat imo

If it has a 5 point harness it is a carseat. Op is asking about a booster with the car buckle

amother

↑ Tomato

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 8:51 pm

amother Moonstone wrote:

Kids come in different sizes Smile

my 6 year old is already 60 lbs, I can't imagine her not hitting 65 in the next year. But she's also tall and will probably hit the ceiling in her booster by 8 or 9...

Gosh my 7 yo is 45lbs. 6 yo is 40 lbs.

tichellady

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 8:53 pm

I would keep her in the car seat based on what you are saying

amother

Hibiscus

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 9:02 pm

Quote:

Gosh my 7 yo is 45lbs. 6 yo is 40 lbs.

my just turned 5 yo is 50 lbs

I switch my kids to a high back booster at age 4, and then a regular seat belt at 8

All 5 of my kids have been in the 80th percentile or higher for height their whole lives (my 16yo is now 6'2")

amother

↑ Honeydew

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 9:04 pm

amother Silver wrote:

High back booster with 5 point harness is just as safe as a car seat imo

It’s the same thing. We are talking with 5 point harness and without.

↑ bsy ↓

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 10:27 pm

amother Moonstone wrote:

Kids come in different sizes Smile

my 6 year old is already 60 lbs, I can't imagine her not hitting 65 in the next year. But she's also tall and will probably hit the ceiling in her booster by 8 or 9...

My 8 year old is 50 lbs and my 6 year old is 40. My almost 2 year old is 30 lol

amother

Sapphire

Sun, Sep 01 2024, 10:30 pm

bsy wrote:

My 8 and 6 year olds are in forward facing car seats.

8 seems pretty old to be in a car seat

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