How long does my child need a booster seat?
This is actually a question I found myself wondering recently, as my oldest daughter turned 8 years old. I don’t remember using a booster seat myself at that age (though the rules were different in the 80s). However, my daughter is still on the small side, so I want to make sure I keep her safe.
When Chicco reached out to me to help promote car seat safety, I jumped at the opportunity to find the answers to my own questions. I figured that there are likely many parents like me with the same concerns and could use this information too!
When is it time to move from a convertible seat to a booster seat?
Rather than age, your child’s size determines which seat meets their needs.
When your child reaches the height and/or weight limit for the forward-facing stage of their convertible seat, it is likely time to graduate to a booster seat. Some children reach the limit at 4-5 years old, while others aren’t big enough for a booster until a couple years later.
How long does my child need a booster seat?
In almost all U.S. states, the law dictates a minimum age, height, and/or weight before children may use adult seatbelts alone. However, even if your child meets the state required minimum, they may still be safer in a booster seat.
Your booster seat should come with a size limit, which lets you know when your child is likely ready to use an adult restraint. For example, my daughter’s Chicco 2-in-1 Booster Seat fits kids from:
- 30-100lbs as a high-back booster
- 40-110lbs as a backless booster.
Weighing less than 50 pounds, my daughter has years of use left!
However, the only way to absolutely determine how long does your child need a booster seat is whether the adult restraint fits them properly. The Chicco Car Seat Safety Guide gives a simple test to check:
- Have your child sit with their backside all the way against the back of the vehicle seat.
- If legs bend at the end of the seat and the belt rests naturally across their lap and collar bone, then they safely fit in the vehicle seat.
This infographic shows exactly how a proper seatbelt fit looks:
We’ve tried a couple different booster seats with my daughter, but I feel confident that she is safe in her Chicco 2-in-1 Booster Seat. It is solid, well-made, and nicely cushioned, so it’s comfortable for long car rides. (Some of our previous boosters were hard plastic with only a thin cover).
I love that the Chicco 2-in-1 Booster converts from a high-back to a backless booster as she grows. My daughter loves the “secret” compartment on the side that stores all of her precious things — it’s seriously a genius idea!
They even have some really fun patterns to choose from!
You can find the Chicco 2-in-1 Booster Seat on Amazon, or on the Chicco website.
More Child Car Seat Safety Resources:
7 Dangerous Car Seat Mistakes Parents Don’t Know They’re Making
Chico’s Comprehensive Online Car Seat Safety Guide
Disclosure: We were provided a Chicco booster seat for review.
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