Older children benefit from booster car seats or forward-facing car seats/boosters for increased safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using these seats until children are at least 57 inches tall. Look for safety ratings and comfort when choosing a booster seat, and check weight and height recommendations for built-in child seats in cars.
Ongoing research on child protection during car accidents suggests that older children benefit from having special seats while riding in cars. It used to be the case that once kids outgrew their seats, usually when they were around 40 pounds (18.14 kg) in weight, they automatically transitioned to wearing a seat belt. However, a seat belt may not provide enough protection, and parents are now turning to booster car seats or forward-facing car seats/boosters for increased safety. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children use one or the other of these larger seats until they are at least 57 inches (17.37 m) tall, which is usually between the ages of eight and twelve.
There are several types of booster seats for cars. The most common of these lifts the child up so that it can be used with the regular seat belt harness. When a child sits too low in the car, the seat belt does not cross the child’s chest at the proper level, which can increase the risk of injury in an accident. The simplest booster car seat does not have a back, but usually has a special hinged front, on which the seat belt section of the seat belt is placed. These can accommodate children weighing up to 100 pounds (45.36 kg), although parents should check weight requirements.
Combination booster seats combine the functionality of a booster seat with later use as a booster. Initially, the seat is used as a normal car seat with a five-point harness attachment system. Later, when the child has outgrown the seat, usually around 65 pounds (29.48 kg), the harness system can be removed. Combination car seats can then be used to raise the child into the proper position for using the harness seat belt.
Some booster car seats are built like the combination seat and feature a back like a car seat. However, they lack the harness attachment system. Child seats that exceed the weight limits on infant and toddler car seats should be chosen with the child’s ability to keep their head and neck stable in mind. Booster seats with a back or combination seats may be better options for some children.
Some things to look for in booster car seats include the safety rating. Parents should generally buy new seats instead of using secondhand seats. They must also ensure that there are no pending withdrawals from any seat they choose.
Another problem is comfort. Some children, especially older ones, complain loudly about not being able to rest their feet on the floor, especially during long drives. Seats with minimal cushioning can make long drives much more difficult, and backless seats can be less preferable if they aren’t properly padded. A full rear seat may be more useful in this regard.
Sometimes parents don’t need to buy booster seats for the car. Some cars have built-in child seats. It is important to check with the manufacturer for weight and height recommendations on these seats before using them.
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