My husband and I disagree on how to install a booster seat. We have a Graco Nautilus that we have just converted to the high-back booster stage for our 5 1/2 yr old and the instructions say you basically put it in the car and go. My husband does not see how this can possibly be safe and says the booster seat should be hooked to the LATCH system.
Just put it in the car and go.
But I have to ask, with a great seat like the nautilus that can be harnessed to 80 pounds (?), why would you switch it to a booster for a 5 year old?
When we switched over to the booster it seemed very weird because it is so simple. I also have a daughter who is 20 years old and booster seats have come a ways since then. No latch is needed.
Booster seat just needs the shoulder belt. Its purpose is to position the seatbelt safely on the child.
ours is just place and go the seat belt that is attached to the car keeps kiddo safe it is not a 5point harness anymore.
NO LATCH!! Just the seatbelt!!
The Nautilus, when used in booster mode, uses only the adult belt around the child and booster. In a crash a booster seat is meant to move WITH the child during impact and rebound.
NEVER USE THE LATCH ON A BOOSTER THAT DOESNT SPECIFICALLY SAY ITS OK! We have a Sunshine Kids Monterey and it has LATCH, but the Nautilus in booster mode can't use the LATCH.
You are right on this one mom. Just remember if your drive with him not in the car to ALWAYS BUCKLE THE BOOSTER IN, because in a crash it becomes a projectile!
You put it in the car and go. So much easier than the latch system! Enjoy the freedom of being able to switch cars!
Don't worry, it doesn't slide around when they're in it. She has to be 40 lbs to ride in a booster, and that keeps it firmly in place.
Find a free, local inspector in your area NOW and set it to rest. An alarmingly high percentage of people use and/or install child safety seats incorrectly. That's a mistake you don't want to make.
Start here:
www.seatcheck.org
or call your local law enforcement agency--they will have authorized car seat experts:
The booster seat hooks up with the seatbelt NOT the LATCH system. However, make sure it is snug down around your child's lap, the shoulder strap is in the proper position, and that it is locked. For most cars this only involves pulling the shoulder strap out all the way and releasing it and then making sure it is snug. I will admit it seemed weird to my husband at first, too, and it takes some getting used to. (It was scarier for him since our son was just almost 3 when we switched him because of height/weight and not being able to fit him in a 5-point restraint anymore.)
It would be very unsafe to to use both and the booster set-up is not designed for anything but the seat belt. Just practice a bit! :)
Just the seatbelt if used as a booster. If hubby doesn't feel comfortable with that if he still can safely use the harness then latch it and use it that way until he feels better about him being in a booster.
In Illinois our fire department personnel are qualified in this and will happily check it is properly and therefore safely installed. Check to see if this us the case with your fire department personnel. You can't be too careful with this issue.
