When Can A Child Stop Using A Booster Seat?

A booster seat is designed for kids to use in a car seat. Normally, it serves mature that are not big enough to appropriately use a grown-up seat belt. Certainly, this definition is too general and does not specify the age limits. Therefore, you might need a deeper understanding as to when can child stop using a booster seat.

How does a booster seat work?

Before we go deep into this, it is prudent to know how a booster seat functions. Ordinarily, a booster seat elevates the kid up. The lap and the shoulder components of the seat belt move across the kid’s body in the appropriate places.

So when can a child stop using a booster seat?

Generally, this question cannot just have a straight answer. This is because there are some factors that will determine this. These are: [su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#0b0c0b” indent=”13″]

• Child’s size
• Child’s age
• The type of vehicle you are driving
• The law in the state or country you are leaving in.

If you choose to override the law, there are still some general rules of the thumb that may help. For instance, kids should not shift from a booster seat to a seat belt till they are at least 4′ 9″. Additionally, there are some tests that you can use to test them. Waiting until your kid attains this quite essential. [/su_list]

Why do you need to wait?

A booster seat guards a child much better compared to seat belts alone. Furthermore, when a collision occurs, a loosely-fitting grown-up seat belt may cause injuries rather preventing it. There are also other scary consequences that you may want to avoid as much as possible. For example, your newborn could suffer liver, spleen or stomach damage if the lap belt unknowingly rests on their tummy. This is likely to happen to young kids when there is no booster. Again, if the band rests against the kid’s neck instead of the chest, the consequences are also undesirable. Probably, he/she will attempt to move it under the arm or even under the back. If they move it under the arm, it could break their ribs and hurt their internal organs. To be safe, always assess whether your kid is set to ride only with a seat belt. Here, you should assess the fit of your car’s seat belt day to day.

Determining whether your child is ready to stop using a booster

Truly, finding out if your kid is has grown enough to stop using a booster is not hard. Simply have them sit in the back seat with their safety belt-tightening. From here, be keen to observe the following: [su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#0b0c0b” indent=”13″]

• The back ought to be securely placed against the seat.
• The back ought to be securely placed against the seat.
• Shoulders belt ought to traverse the midpoint of the chest and the shoulder.
• The lap belt needs to be low across the upper part of the thighs.

With this, you can gauge how safe your kid can be in the seat belt. If your kid does not satisfy the above standards, you need to do something! They will have to keep using the booster seat to save them from injuries when an accident happens. Actually, the above should apply even if your child has hit eight years. Having an inappropriate seat booster can be as bad as having none. Even as we emphasize the importance of it, stressing on a good one is also significant. Therefore, let us see the things you need to know in order to choose the right booster seat. [/su_list]

How to choose the right seat booster for your baby

Usually, booster seats for kids come in various styles and types. It is good to be checking the label for the weight limits. Also, try to stick to the manufacturer’s directions. Booster seats are available in a wide range of costs. A higher cost may not imply that the booster seat is safer. To help you further, below are some tips that you can consider.

High-back booster seat

This type has to be used with a shoulder/lap style seat belt. Typically, this type serves to protect your kid against whiplash in the vehicle having low seat backs. This can be applied in vehicles with or those without headrests. More so, this booster will support your baby when sleeping.

The no-back booster seat

Again, this has to be work with shoulder or lap style seat belt. It is ideal if your headrests or car’s seat back comes higher than your kid’s ears- when they are sitting in their booster seat. The goodness with this type is that it is simple to pack up and take from vehicle to vehicle.

Shield booster seat

The application of the shield part of the booster was popular but not recommended again. In fact, in an event that the shield comes off, just take it off. After this, employ the booster seat with the shoulder or lap style seat belt for kids above 40 pounds. This functions just like a no-back booster seat. In case your car has a headrest, this option will serve your baby quite well.

The forward-facing booster seat (with harness)

If you need to get the best results, utilize the harness till your kid weighs 40 pounds. Afterward, remove it and employ the booster seat with the shoulder or lap style seat belt. Luckily, the forward-facing booster can be applied vehicles both with and without headrests.

Safety tip

When your kid meets the thresholds to stop using as booster set as advised in this article, they will graduate to the next level. Certainly, they will be set to move to the seat belt. However, never get belt-positioning equipment in an attempt to make them more pleased. Unfortunately, these add-ons really render seat belts less efficient. If you realize that they still require something to make the seat belt fit, something is wrong! That means that they still need to be in a car seat booster.

Conclusion

Expectedly, this article has answered your question as to when can child stop using a booster seat. Presumably, your child’s safety matters a lot. Thus, you will take the tips in this article so solemnly. If this will help to enhance your kid’s comfortability and safety then the article’s objective has been attained!

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