So I know the rule about rear facing infant car seats-20lbs/1 YR before they can ride forward facing. But what about after that-whats the pound/height/age for toddler seats and when to transition from those to just the booster?
Thanks for the info! We had a hand-me-down toddler seat that we've been using for our 2YR old-but the owners manual wasnt passed along. So thanks for the update! We mainly needed to know whether we'd have to invest in a second toddler seat, as we're expecting in April. Currently our 2 yr old only weighs 22lbs (but is tall!) so I'll have to research whats out there-looks like she'll be riding in it for a while yet!
I think you have to go based solely on your child and the requirement for the seat, not so much the childs age.
Due to fact every kid at 2 years old so to speak is not the same height, weight, etc...
I have a 2 year old in a booster because he is so big for his age...but then I also have a 2 year old in a car seat because booster isnt right for him. (Foster sons)
Read the box requirements, thats all you can really go by.
H. - here is an excellent resource for all things car/booster seat related. There is a wealth of information with regard to different seats as well as how to safely use them. http://car-seat.org/
That site, as well as personal research and discussions with car seat safety technicians, compelled me to keep my children rear-facing as long as allowable by the car seat & also to keep my front-facing children in a 5 point harness as long as possible. My nearly 6 year old child (53 pounds) is still in a 5 point restraint. If you do move to a booster, you'll want to consider a belt-positioning booster with side impact protection.
Also, regarding seats that pass from one child to another, remember, each seat has an expiration date (most seats are good for about 5 years). It should be marked somewhere on the seat, and, of course, never reuse a seat that's been in an accident.
Have a great day.
H.,
I think that they are supposed to stay in the full carseat until they are 40lb and then they can use a booster, but you should check the weights on the booster seat, some are for kids who are bigger than that. I can't keep up with how long they need to stay in those! The last I heard it was like age 9!
I'm pretty sure that it's 4years and 40 pounds for a booster. I think currently, after that, it's 8years OR 80 pounds. My 6 year old is just now 42 pounds, but she was too tall and she wouldn't fit into a covertable seat safely, so we put her in a booster (with a back) when she was 4. We moved her to a booster without the back around 5. My 3 year old is 36 pounds but she was too big for her convertable seat too. There was no way we could get her in it and it wouldn't be too tight or she would cry. So we've been trying the booster with the back and she seems to be more comfortable.
Ohio is....4 yrs old AND 40+lbs for booster seats. I asked my friend who is a fire cheif because my son is 3 yrs old and 37 lbs and he is really...what I think too big for his car seat. But he said he has to be 4 yrs old AND 40 lbs.
Hope this helps. If you ever have any questions go to your local fire dept. they will be glad to help you. And the will install them for you....the right way. I thought we had ours in right and we were SSSSOOOOO wrong! Good Luck!
4 yrs old and 40 lbs.
I was always told as a rule of thumb when their head gets to the top of the seat then they have outgrown it. I think it was pretty accurare for my oldest 2 kids, but to be safe I would just check your owners manual for exact instruction.
