Ok, after reading another post from this week and all of the responses, I am confused about my child's booster seat being safe enough. I have come to the conclusion that it is not safe enough and I need to buy two more (one for each car). I need some advice on which kind to buy. My daughter is 7 and she weighs 47 pounds. It does not bother her a bit that she is in a booster seat, so it doesn't really matter to her what kind she has, but the one she is in now is a backless booster. The backless ones say that they are "belt positioning," but my daughter's does not "position" the belt at all - even with her sitting in the booster, the belt comes right across her neck (especially in my husband's car) and I know that it is not safe. So, I guess to get a "belt positioning" one, I need to go with one that has a back on it with the little thing on the side that holds the strap in place? I notice that some of them are for children from 4-8, but she will be 8 in a few months, so I need one that she can stay in longer than that. At the rate she is gaining weight, she will go to high school in a booster! Anyway, any recommendations on a VERY safe belt positioning booster for an older child?
Thank you Amber!!! Amber explained to me that there is a piece attached to the booster that I already have that should solve my problem. Thanks moms!
Yes, the Graco ones we have are the kind with backs and the setbelt connects from the back of booster forward ...also have a little guard that goes from lap to across belts to keep it away from her neck.
The compass 510 booster (or any of the compass) are height adjustable up to a point. IT works great for my girls 2, 4 and a friends son who is 6. Worth the money. THis seat was recommended by a car seat safety tech to me. One other bonus is that the seat folds up and comes with a carrying bag for storage or travel.
I think you need to loko at height limitations on the boosters because she is probably going to outgrow the seat in height before weight. You could always go with a britax husky (super big) which is a 5 pt harness.
A.
This is the one my daughter uses and she loves it. I recommend it.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4366...
I would get one that is a high back belpt positioning booster.
http://tinyurl.com/33323r - one like that is great!
Your daughter sounds really petite and I honestly wouldn't be all that comfortable with her being in a backless booster. (since she only weighs 47lbs and there are still several seats out there that can have her harnessed)
The piece that Amber is talking about doesn't really help all that much, it is a goofy little ring that you just kinda put around the seat belt and hope that it helps move the seatbelt. We were taught in our technician class that those rings are more of a false comfort for the parents than anything.
High back booster is the way to go! :-)
On your booster seat, check and see if there is a piece that is attached to the booster, that will clip onto the shoulder belt. Our Graco turbo booster has one, and if you cant find it you may be able to contact the manufactures for a replacement. It is an adjustable piece that will help in making sure that it fits her properlyl. I have also seen ( I think on the One Step Ahead website) something that will fit over the seat belt to make the whole thing fit more appropriately. Let me know if you need a better explanation...I feel like I am not making sense. Good luck ~A.~
They make a device it is called seatbelt clip just cost about 5 dollars look up sunshine kids super lock
High back boosters should be fine to use on a child your daughter's age. Look at the weight recommendations on the seat, I think they go up to eighty pounds or so...the age shouldn't matter. Also, height of the child's torso should be considered. If her ears come to the top of the seat, it is too small for her. The seat belt with a booster should come across the hips and across the chest and collarbone. If you see that she has to move it away from her neck, then you are absolutely right about needing the belt guide.
Boosters without the back should only be used if your car has built in head rests in the back seat. Also, only use the lap shoulder belt. It is not safe to use a lap belt only with a booster.
Hope this helps.
Have a great day,
Marianne
First of all I am so glad to not be the only one out there with a 7 year old in a booster. My kids are tiny so my 9 year old is in one too a lot of the time.
The 7 year old is in a booster with a back. The back is adjustable to the point they could use it forever practically. The key is adjusting the back so the belt is in the right positionacross the shoulder and chest. It needs to be higher is the belt comes through the opening below the shoulder. It doesn't matter at all on age, it is all about height and weight. I have a 9 year old forth grader that doesn't come close to some 2nd graders so he stays in it. In some cars he is alright because the seat belt is in the right spot like in the thrid row of our car, but in the 3nd row he has to have the booster.
We got all of ours at target and there are a few different brands. Just get one that the back adjusts pretty high and you will be in good shape.
The Britax Regent is the best/safest seat on the market. It will take her all the way to 80 pounds! It still uses the 5 point harness, and latch system, so there is a tremendous reduction of injury/fatality when involved in any type of accident. Check out the You Tube video on the Regent seat. It will help you decide in a heartbeat!
