How Long in a Carseat?

Technically, Nikki, you are right, though for a five year old, a booster is suitable rather than a full car seat. It depends on a number of factors, though. Children should never, under any circumstances, ride in the front seat. It is far more likely that they will be injured in a crash, and especially if you have airbags it is a big no no. Now, as for riding in the back seat, the booster is used for children to allow the seat belt to hit them in the proper area of their body and ensure that they will be less likely to be injured in a car accident. If the seat belt isn't properly aligned, the risk is that it will not secure the child in the seat or it will injure the child (abdominal bleeding, broken ribs, etc.) in the event of an accident. Most parents are blissfully unaware of this and once their kiddos outgrow their toddler seats, just stick them on the seat and hope for the best. Don't feel guilty for wanting to protect your child. For more specifics on recommendations, you should be able to contact your local fire station. Best of luck!

N.

Get him a booster seat specifically for small children, not babies. Tell him it's so that the seat belt fits correctly and so he can see better. They are both true, but might make him feel a little less insecure.

I thought when the state trooper came out and inspected our carseat he said they now recommend kids staying in a booster or something until 80 lbs. I could be wrong (my child is an infant so I wasn't really worried about that at the time). If I were you I would call Trooper Lonny Haschel at ###-###-#### and he will be able to tell you. He was more than accommodating to us; he came to our home so we did not get the baby out in the cold (born in Dec) to inspect both vehicles and carseats. He is a character but very helpful.

Hope this helps.
K.

In Texas, the law is under 4 years and 36 inches, they have to be in a car seat. I would get a belt adjuster (Target carries them) so that the seat belt fits better - and he should still ride in the back and away from airbags until he's twelve.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_inform...

Here is wonderful information by bthe American Acadamy of Pediatrics about car seats, boosters, how to tell if they are ready for seatbelts etc....

http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm

http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/bigkid/gsafety/...

Hi Nikki,

Go to the link I am sending you, you will get all the answers to the most common questions about carseats.

F.

I think the other moms may be right but just ask your pediatrician. Carseats usually provide a guideline - do you still have your product info? Think they provide both an age and weight, so that even if your child is a little underweight, they won't be in a carseat at age 10 or something crazy! Go to Britax.com and see if you can find something on the subject. As for being overprotective, we Americans do tend to be lax. In European countries children under 13 yrs old are REQUIRED to sit in the backseat still. My suggestion is to check these sources and then follow the European style of protecting children.

Hi Nikki....Would you mind forwarding responses you receive on this question to me??? I have a 4 1/2 year old - and my world revolves around her, too!! And, she has been making the same comments to me....that she's a big girl and all her friends are in booster seats!! WOW! They sure do experience peer pressure early, huh?? Anyway, I would never forgive myself if we were in a crash and something happened to her because she's too young and didn't have adequate protection for her age/body development. She's 39.5 pounds and is 44 inches tall....

It seems like we have similar situations and I would love to know how other moms respond!

Thanks so much!

E. W.
Allen, TX

I think it's more about the placement of the shoulder seat belt on your son and not the weight. Is he in a booster seat or a car seat? A booster (I think you can get them for about $20) will raise him a little higher so the seat belt is not on his neck.

My 5 year old was tall for his age and still is at age 6. I don't make him be in a car seat around town, but anytime we are on the highway or on trips, he has to sit in his booster to be sure the shoulder strap is exactly in the right place.

It's tough when they start kindergarten. There is a lot of pressure about all sorts of stuff that I wassn't ready for. This is your first and it's a personal choice. For carpooling, I opted not to have in a car seat.

Good luck!

Check out these great websites for more info - also, there are boosters from Britax which are superb. The new one is the "Parkway" - goes to 100 lbs. I know the Right Start Store on Preston at Spring Creek carries it.

www.CPSafety.com
www.CarSeatData.org
www.car-safety.org