Until What Age Did You Use a Booster Seat in the Car for Your Kids?

This website give you the Car seat law for texas.

www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/Public_information/p...

Jill,

The answer varies by state law. In Texas there is a plan to keep a child in a booster until the height of 4'9". So check with the Law officials in your state. In Fort Worth, Cook Children's Hospital offers safety checks for car seats and is a great resource for safety laws and requirements.
The best way to tell if your child needs a booster seat is to determine where the seatbelt strap fits when he is sitting in the back seat without a booster seat. You want the strap to fit across his shoulder midway between point of shoulder and neck (not rubbing against his neck)and should never be placed under the arm; and should fit across his hips (not stomach. If your child fits in the back seat and the strap fits as described, it would be a safe bet, unless ilegal in your state, that he could do without a booster seat. When in doubt tough, better safe than sorry.

Good Luck!

D. Mc

J. -
I am SO glad you started this discussion here.

It drives me crazy when my kids' friends parents put thier kid in cars with out booster seats. I hear the "My kid just won't sit in one" excuse way too often. If that was the case with my kids - then they would not leave the house unless walking.

There is no better testimony to keeping our kids safe on the road than what these mothers have already shared with you.
Way to go Momas! GREAT advice!

It's all about how big your child is, not their age. their knees have to bend at the edge of the seat without scooching their backside forward, the shoulder belt should be on their shoulder without touching their neck, and the lap belt needs to lay across the top of their thighs, not their bellies to avoid abdominal injuries or sliding out under the belt in a wreck. Best recommendations for weight say a child should weigh 80 pounds before leaving the booster. If using a backless booster, be sure to use the strap that attaches to the belt to pull it down to their height, or the strap that is attached to the back of most actually seats in cars these days (lots of people don't even notive they are there or know what they are).

As a certified child passenger safety seat technician the recommendation for children and booster seats is that they should remain in a booster seat until their knees bend normally over the front edge of the seat and the seat belt can cross over their shoulder, mid chest and hips naturally. In the event of a crash you want the seat belt to fit across the child as is does you and I. Also if their legs are sticking straight out and not bending over the front edge of the seat properly, or over the edge of a booster seat, they can sustain injuries that otherwise could be avoided. Hope this helps.

for my oldest we did it till his knees would go over the edge, which was about 7 or 8 years old, but no where near the 80 lbs or the height suggestion. my neices were both four and taken off of boosters for the same reason. we will use the same formula for my 4 year old. it follows texas law and then some.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_inform...

You're supposed to leave them in a booster until they either 8 years old, for 4ft 9in tall.

Everywhere I read went by weight/height for use of booster seats. I took my daughter (now 18 and 6' tall) out when I realized she was taller than one of my best adult friends! My daughter liked her booster seat because it helped her to see out over the window sill.

My son was 10 when he left the booster seat. Even then the pediatrician checked him first and said, due to where the seatbelt came across he had to wear a safety strap that the belt goes through to adjust it. He was thrilled to be out of the booster seat and was fine with that agreement. Before he was out of it though we did make sure his friends did not watch him get in it. He said a 5th grader may get picked on for that. I was cool with that and we shut all doors first and then he privately could get in.

My seven year old is still in one and will be until height and weight are safe to be out of it. Regardless of what advice you get go with your mom instinct.

If you crash and your child is hurt while not in a safety seat then a guilt trip of what could have beens may occur. If a safety seat is used and your child is hurt then you did all you could.

I would use a booster seat if they made one for adults. It would help me see better out the window.

Good luck and do what you feel is right.

I would watch this video, if I were you. It's extremely convincing as to why you should use a 5-point harness for as long as possible....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ

My son is 6 years old and still in a booster seat with the back on it. I plan on using it until he is tall enough to sit without.

My daughter is 7 and she has been in her backless car seat for a about a year in a half now maybe 2. It's the seat one that the seat belt goes on her like an adult only the seat secures it more, but it's been great and eaier for me cause she can get in and out herself. So as long as he's not tiny and able to unbuckle and buckle himself he should be fine. Good luck.

My 9 year old stills sits in a booster because he only weighs 42 pounds. Size (weight and height) is much more important than age when deciding. A seat belt(without a booster) will not hold your child in properly in an accident. It is a game of odds....chances are you will not be in a major accident, but if you are look at what you are gambling with....protect them as long as possible.

I don't remember the age when my child (now 12) graduated from a booster, but her weight was over about 80 pounds. The criteria should not be the age but the weight of the child, & I think there are safety guidelines published somewhere. I used both the backless and the high back booster seats. I liked the high back b/c it was more comfortable for my daughter, and the shoulder seat belt fit more securely and safely (across the front of the body NOT behind).

I take the experts pretty seriously here. My 9 year old son is still in a booster seat. He weighs 72 pounds and is a little more than 4 1/2 feet tall: which all means that he is not big enough for the minimum requirements to safely sit in a car seat without a little "boost". He has no problem with it. The seat beat is positioned to be comfortable, if someone hits my car the seat belt will not give his neck a "rug burn" (which is terribly painful for the first few days, ask my girlfriend) or damage his internal organs - the selt belt can ride up past his hips and damage his liver, spleen, and intestines. ASK YOUR DOCTOR, don't take my word.

Hi Jill,

You may think I am an over protective mother, but my 9 year old just got out of her booster and I really don't think she is still tall enough. The shoulder strap isn't suppose to touch their neck and it does, so on long road trips I still have her sit in one. My 7 year old is still in a booster with a back and we are getting ready to take the back off and let her only sit in the booster part. Most of my daughters friends do not sit in one, especially my 9 year old, but I am only doing what the law reccomends. I know there is a height and weight thing, too. You may call the police station and find out exactly. I need to do it as well. I would rather my kids be safe and made fun of, than the alternative.

I would check the TX state law of the age your child can come out of the booster.

Boosters are VERY important. My son is 7 and still in one (we use just the base now). Go to this website for the guidelines:

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

The booster seat will align the seat belt straps properly on your child so if you have an accident, the seat belt will not injure him, it will protect him. I know it is hard to keep your child in one and they don't really like it, but just explain to him why it is important and until he is 4'9", he will be in one. HTH!

I just want to thank Ali for the youtube link. OMG I am going tomorrow to buy another 5 pt for my 6 year old. She's in a booster seat now but after reading that, I am convinced she needs to be in a 5pt seat. thanks again!

My son remained in his booster until he was 8 yrs. I know this seems like a long time but the child is supposed to be able to sit with his bottom all the way back in the seat with the bend of his knee over the edge of the seat. Until they can do this they are safer in a booster.

I was letting my son 4 1/2 sit sometimes in big seat as he likes to be like older sisters, however now I make him stay in booster as I read he should stay in as long as possible for safety. I think you can search on web for texas safety laws.

J.,

Here is a website that gives you guidelines per state. You can also check with your local police department to verify the information.

http://www.iihs.org/laws/ChildRestraint.aspx

M.

If I were you, I would check your State Law before taking your son out of his booster. I live in Kansas where a new law was passed sometime in the last couple of years that anyone under 4"8" (or 4'9", can't remember) and under somewhere around 90lbs, has to remain in a booster. Also, I prefer the high back that uses a shoulder belt, I whole heartedly believe they are the safest!!! Good luck!!

The safest seat for your child to be in is a 5 point harness car seat until about 7 years old then a booster seat. I would find out what the law is on car seats and age and height requirements.

I have my 5 year old in a Britax Regent (it is a 5 point harness car seat that goes up to 80 pounds formerly called the huskey) the Britax company also makes a special needs car seat that is a 5 point harness with adjustible neck support for up to 110 pounds.

I have my 3 year old and 18 month old in a Britax Marathon.

I have friends who say their husbands would never let them spend that much money on a car seat but to me the most important safety feature in the car is your childs car seat and it should be a five point harness as long as it can be.

You can buy the britax brand on Ebay or other web stores new for less than you can from a store with out paying shipping and tax it saves you a little money. But if you buy a Marathon instead of an infant seat just think how long you will use the car seat up to 5- 65 pounds so you really get your money out of it.

Aj

Mine stay in their booster until they reach 80 lbs. I had a friend who was a certified car safety specialist and this is what she recommended.

well, my 5.5 year old still sits in a carseat with a 5pt harness, he won't go into a "booster" until he's 7 or so probably. both of my boys were in a BAD rollover collision at interstate speed in july of last year, thank GOD i had them BOTH in britax boulevard 5pt harness carseats and both walked away with no injuries. my younger son is in a new boulevard(he's 2) and i bought a larger seat, britax regent, for my now 5.5 year old son. i would say around age 8 or 9 is when my kids will sit in a "regular" seat, but that all depends on their size and maturity level.

here's a link to the regent if you are interested:
http://www.britaxusa.com/products/product_detail.aspx?ID=9

you can typically find then on sale with free shipping at www.babyuniverse.com or www.albeebaby.com

I think the rule of thumb is 8 years old and 80 pounds to go no booster.

I'm keeping mine in the 5-point seat as long as possible, myself.

My child is almost 8 and she still sits in one. Highback in my car, no back in grandmother's and a really uncomfortable looking one in my husband's car. And she does not complain!!

I would keep him in it as long as possible! I don't know if you personally have ever been in a car wreck but I consider how bad I felt after a minor accident when it comes to car seats. Then factor in how small our children are themselves! Heck my daughter is over 1 and still rearfacing!

My youngest son just turned 8 today and he will be in his booster for a while. He is still skinny, but he is tall. That is just something you HAVE to be sure of before you do it. Better safe than sorry. And that is something I NEVER want to be sorry for....

4'9"? Really? My 32 year old sister in law should be in one then. :) As should my 19 year old nephew. He only weighs 75 pounds, and is 4'6".

I went to a seat belt check our church did a couple years ago when my son was in his booster seat and I asked about the back. She said that the back makes no difference in the booster seat. It's more of a comfort thing if they want one, but if they feel embarrassed to still be in one, you can take the back off. It's the lift up that makes the difference.

My son will be 8 in May and I still have him in a booster seat. I work for a Pediatrician and I asked how long I should keep him in a booster seat. He gave me a weight which my son is no where near. But he also said that when the seat belt rests across their chest and not their neck.

Texas law says that if they are greater than 36 inches tall or if they are over 5 years old they are not legally required to be in a carseat. I myself have an 8 year old that weighs 53 pounds and he still uses a booster seat.

B.

There are specific state guidelines for age, height, and weight requirements to ber able to sit in the car with no booster seat or car seat. Check online or with the local DPS office.

Check with the maker of the booster to find out the actual weight guideline, but I think the general rule is that kids should sit in a booster until they are 80 pounds and stay in the back seat (if you have one) until the age of 12. My kids like sitting in their boosters because it makes them taller in the seat and they can see more stuff outside. Be safe and stay well!

If you will go to www.boosterseat.gov this will give you the information you are looking for. It will give you the info for whatever state you are living in. I have a 4 going on 5 year old and they still need to be in a booster seat for longer than you would think. It is better to be safe than sorry though! Hope this helps you!

When his legs are long enough that they bend at the knee over the edge of the seat when he is scooted all the way back to the back of the seat. His legs won't stick straight out parallel to the floor b/c he is big enough that they bend at the knee over the seat and his feet hang down. That's when he no longer needs the booster seat. I have a five yr. old and we're not there yet!

This says it better than I ever could: http://www.kyledavidmiller.org/pages/4211/Car_Seat_Safety...

my daughters are 7 and 5 and they are both still in one with the back. i have the one that you can raise and lower the back to fit their height. My 7 year old is begging to sit on the seat like some of her friends, but i have to explain to her that they are much taller than she is. they are a good 1 to 2 feet taller. You have to go on the height and weight of your child.

state law actually measures not by age but by heighth and weight. I am sure that you cna look that up on Department of Publis Safety web site!

I have 2 boys and they are both in boosters. My pediatrians recommends until at least 80 pounds and almost 5 feet tall. This way the seat belt hits his chest and hip areas in the proper places. My oldest will be 10 in May and he uses a booster with no back on it and my 7 year old still preferres the one with the back. He likes the extra head support and the fact the it holds the seatbelt off his neck.

I think it is important to note that there are two things being discussed here - what people think the law should be and what the current law is. In Texas, the current laws regarding this issue are VERY lax and there is no law that exists requiring a booster once a child turns 4. Lawmakers are trying to pass a bill requiring that states that a booster should be required for children who are either 8 or 4'9. Personally, I don't see my son at 8 sitting in a booster, but I do think that the safety statistics are overwhelming that we should try to keep them in a booster as long as possible.

Hello, I may be a little on the overprotective side, but my daughter is 7 years old and she still sits in a booster when we go long distances. We live in a very small town so when we are just around town she doesn't but when we get out on the highway to go anywhere she still rides in it. And I am not planning on taking her out for a while. It mostly depends on there height. If when they are sitting in the seat without a booster and the seatbelt seems to cut there head off they still need to be boosted up. Hope this helps.

Check out this website for the laws in Texas.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_inform...
Their legs should also be long enough so that their knees bend naturally over the edge of the seat.
Texas is not as progressive as other states though. Many states recommend that children be in booster seats through age 8 and 80 pounds. Better be safe than sorry.

My son is 6.5 and will be in a booster until he is a least 8. He is tall for his age, but if the car strap is still hitting him in the wrong place then it is not safe. Also he is thin and I have seen too many videos where the child slides out of a seat belt in a high speed collision. Keep him in the booster! These are great links that have been posted.
H. M.

My son's Dr. said he should remain in a booster until he is 8 years old, or 70 lbs.

This is the recommendation from the NHTSA website.
http://www.boosterseat.gov/4StepsFlyer.pdf

It makes sense because weight is a good rule of thumb when using a car seat. But the height of a child is more of an issue when going from booster to regular seat belt.

I think Texas laws are a bit more lenient than this, but personally, I think my daughter's safety is more important.

I would put him in one with a back as long as he is able to fit in one! They are soo much safer in one than without. Not sure on safety regulations.