I watch kids and need 3 car seats to fit in my car. I had 2 5 point harnessed seats and one booster in there but it was crammed. My 3 year old is in a Britax Frontier 85, and then I got 2 backless boosters for the two 4 year olds that I watch. I only have them in the car to run to the park or to pick up my daughter from school. The child I'm wondering about is 4 1/2 and weighs over 40lbs. Is is safe for her to be in the backless booster? Isn't the rule 4 and 40lbs? Her mom seemed fine with it, but I just want to make sure it's ok.
Well, after hearing what you guys had to say, I think I'll put the 5 point back in the car. It's crowded, but worth it to keep her safer.
I would have an absolute fit if anyone tried putting my 4 year old in a backless booster. Does a shoulder belt even fit a 4 year old properly in a NBB? Although not ideal, I would understand if a high back booster was needed. A high back booster shouldn't take up any more space than a no back booster. If you are ever in an accident - those are going to be some very non protected 4 year olds.
I would NOT put a 4 year old in a backless booster. The back is there to help guide the seatbelt across their chest at the right height. Without it, it could likely cut across their neck. Yikes! You may feel like you drive safely, but you don't know what anyone else is going to do and it makes no difference how far you're going. Anything can happen. At the very least, I would make sure their parents know about it and see what they say, but I would not allow it if it were my kids. I know they make some slimmer boosters with a back (I think they are made by Sunshine Kids or something like that? I've never had one, but have seen them recommended on here before). Please invest in a couple of these if you're going to continue to have young kids in your car on a regular basis. It's just the right thing to do.
I would never allow anyone to put my kids (3.5 and 2) in a booster, backless or high back, doesn't matter. Heck my 2 year old almost weighs 40lbs and there is NO way she is ready for a booster. She is still rear facing. Weight and age have nothing to do with it, a 5pt harness is safer. At being 4.5 and only 40 lbs this sounds like a child on the small side, I wouldn't feel safe having her in a backless booster on my watch.
You left out part of the equation - how tall is the child?? Where does the top strap of a 5-pointer hit her - ie, is it still above her shoulder or behind her?
I've seen 4yo that is as tall as my little one, and the 4yo looked to even weigh more! Bet most here would gripe at me for having her in a booster since she only weighs just over 40lbs on a good day (and she's 2+ yrs older than this 4yo) - but the 5-pointer was no longer fitting her body properly, so switched over. And, for the record, I do prefer the 5-point (and ours would hold up to 80lbs) but that just isn't going to work with height.
I would not put a 4 year old in a backless booster or any booster for that matter. Just because it's legal doesnt mean it's the safest option. My 4 1/2 year old is still happily harnessed. You have your 3 yr old in harnessed on a britax would you be comfortable putting him in a backless booster when he turns 4?
Edited: how old is your oldest that you pick up from school? Where does she sit? The front? Children under 12 belong in the back seat, children under 4'9 belong in a booster.
Although my 5.5 year old is still in her Britax Frontier, I do understand your issue. Does the backless booster have latch by chance (does it secure in the seat, or does it just sit there?). The ones that actually latch in are going to be better/safer. There have been occassions when my daughter has used her backless booster when someone else drives her home from dance or from school (blocks from the house, and up to a couple of miles in our rural neighborhood, which has speed limits of 25 mph). It is the only reason she has this booster as it travels with her easily when we need to do this. I do believe the rule is 40 and 4. For those mom's about to persecute you for even thinking this would be okay probably have the ability to stay with their children throughout the day and would never let anyone drive them anywhere anyway. There is a point when judgement has to be made based on the child, the parent and what sort of driving (distance/speed/etc) is going to be done. Yes, accidents can happen at any point, but an accident at 20mph is going to be much different than an accident on the freeway! Just make sure the safety belt fits her correctly.
Legally yes, she meets the requirements, though a 5 point harness is definitely safer. As long as the other girl's mom is ok with it though, you can do it if that's what works best.
Check your state, but in NY it is 40 inches and 40 pounds, preferably not until 4 years old (if they hit the height/weight earlier they can move up earlier). My oldest was in a booster just before turning 3 because he hit the height and weight and could not fit a carseat anymore. At 4 I got the backless booster for him since it fits in the back of my Focus better. I also have two carseats installed, one rear-facing and one forward facing. It's squishy, but we're all in there. Your state or county website should have specific regulations and the seat manufacturer should have anything additional on the paperwork that came with the seats.
Yes, 4 yrs and 40 lbs in TX. And they have to stay in the booster until 8 yrs old. Here are the best practices recommendations as listed on the TX Dept of Public Safety website: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_inform...
Here in MO, the RULE is at least 4 and 40 lbs. Not sure about Tx, but the tx DOT website can tell you.
New recommendations, however, are another story.......
My son is 4 and 40 pounds and we just recently switched him to a backless booster. (So much easier!) His doctor said it was fine. I don't know if there are different regulations in different states, though. Hope that helps! :-)
