Here is my (long awaited) entry about Booster Seats!
Booster seats are probably the most often misunderstood child restraints.
Parents often have many question about them including:
Why does my child need one?
Which type of booster seat is best?
At what age can I move my child from a harnessed seat to a booster?
How long does my child have to ride in a booster?
So I'll try to answer each question in turn.
Why does a child need a booster seat?
Before booster seats, when a child outgrew their harnessed child restraint (usually around 4 years old) they were moved to a regular seat belt. The problem is that seat belts are designed for adults. On an adult, the seat belt fits across the strong bones of the hips/pelvis. These bones can withstand the intense crash forces, but on a child the belt rides-up across the soft part of the child's belly (where all of the child's internal organs are.) This caused massive internal injuries to the child, and became known as 'seat-belt syndrome.'
(As demonstrated in this video)
Another problem with adult belts is that, because they don't fit children properly, (they often rub on their necks,) this causes the child to tuck the shoulder belt portion of the belt either under their arm, or behind their backs, in effect turning the belt into a lap-belt.
(Watch THIS video to see why lap belts are not safe for anyone!)
Which type of booster seat is best? There are many different types of booster seats available.
Highback, Backless, and
Combinations seats (harnessed seats that convert to boosters by removing the harness). There really is no 'best' booster seat on the market.
The best booster is one that fits your child, fits your vehicle,
and is one that you and your child will use properly every time!
Some people prefer the extra side-impact protection that a highbacked booster may offer, or the extra head and neck support, which is necessary if your vehicle does not have headrests!
(It is also important to note that a booster seat may never be used with a lap belt. It must always be used with a lap-shoulder belt combination.)
That being said...there are some boosters that should NEVER be used!
1. Any booster that has been recalled,
has an unknown history (i.e. - you bought it at a rummage sale,) or is over 6 years old.
Carseats DO expire, and boosters are no exception. And contrary to some opinions...This is NOT just a ploy by the carseat manufacturers to get you to buy more seats.
Plastic breaks down over time, and becomes brittle. This process is expedited by extremes in temperature, (like sitting in a car through hot summers and cold winters.)
Please don't risk your child's life - replace all car seats after 6 years.
2. The second type of carseat that should NEVER be used is a shield booster.
These look very much like backless boosters, except they have a plastic shield that fits over the lap portion of the child.
These types of boosters were very popular awhile back.
Unfortunately, several children were killed or seriously injured because of them.
(The shield is too far away from the child - and the children were ejected.) ALL of these seats have been recalled - If you have one, PLEASE destroy it!!! For more info on the dangers of these boosters, please look here!
At what age can I move my child from a harnessed seat to a booster? The thing to remember is that every step UP in carseats is a step DOWN in safety.
The absolute safest possible way for a child to ride is harnessed and rear-facing.
Next is harnessed forward-facing,
Then a booster,
And finally an adult seat belt.
It is most beneficial for a child to remain in each of the above steps for as long as possible!
Unfortunately, societal 'norms' and 'peer pressure' have caused most parents to move children to that next step too soon. Parents (for some odd reason) can't wait to turn their kids forward facing, or to move them up to a 'big boy/girl booster'....even though it is not in the best interests of their child safety-wise!
Yes... according to the manufacturers directions a 30 lb 3 year old 'can' fit in a booster - but are they truly safe that way??? Not really.
There's a saying, "Boosters Are For BIG Kids!"
This is not only to encourage 'big kids' into thinking that they are not 'too cool' for boosters, but also to encourage parents that they shouldn't move their 'little kids' into a booster too soon!
A child should not be moved to a booster until they are ready to sit correctly in the car (without leaning, fidgeting, unbuckling, throwing a tantrum, etc.) - EVERY time.
In my opinion, a child is not ready for a booster until 5 or 6 years of age.
There are MANY (affordable) options available for keeping a child harnessed past 40 pounds!
(Ask me if you would like some suggestions!!!) How long does my child have to ride in a booster?
1. Every state has it's own legal requirements regarding how long children need to be in a child restraint. Check here to see what your state's requirements are.
2. Is your child at least 4'9" (That is the height that safety experts have determined is the bare minimum for riding in an adult seatbelt.)
3. But, the most important determination is... Does your child pass the 5 Step Test?
The 5-Step Test.
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat? 2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat
and do their feet touch the floor? 3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm? 4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs? 5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
My own kids will ride in boosters until they can no longer fit in them! If you have any more questions about booster seats - please feel free to ask!!!
May. 21, 2008 - Monarch vs. Monterey and Frontier vs. Regent
Posted by Anonymous
Hi Michelle,
A fellow home schooler suggested I post my questions to you...I am a Britax fax and I have twin girls who have just outgrown their Wizards. My girls will be 7 in July. I like the latch feature of the Monterey, but it is not a brand I know. Do you have an opinion on the Monterey, esp. compared to the Monarch?
Then one twin does not want to go to a booster full-time (we have Parkways in one car). I like the idea of the Frontier and particularly the SIP, but I have found a good deal on the Regent. Do you have any thoughts about these two seats? BTW - Our Saabs do not have side airbags in the back seat and my twins weigh 52 lbs (wants a booster) and 42 lbs (wants the harness).
Would it be strange to put them in different kinds of seats given the difference in safety?
Backless, 
and 
There really is no 'best' booster seat on the market. 
May. 21, 2008 - Monarch vs. Monterey and Frontier vs. Regent
A fellow home schooler suggested I post my questions to you...I am a Britax fax and I have twin girls who have just outgrown their Wizards. My girls will be 7 in July. I like the latch feature of the Monterey, but it is not a brand I know. Do you have an opinion on the Monterey, esp. compared to the Monarch?
Then one twin does not want to go to a booster full-time (we have Parkways in one car). I like the idea of the Frontier and particularly the SIP, but I have found a good deal on the Regent. Do you have any thoughts about these two seats? BTW - Our Saabs do not have side airbags in the back seat and my twins weigh 52 lbs (wants a booster) and 42 lbs (wants the harness).
Would it be strange to put them in different kinds of seats given the difference in safety?
Thanks!
Brigitte
getfunbooks@hotmail.com