When your child outgrows their car seat, you may be wondering when they should switch to a backless booster seat.
It’s important to understand the age and size requirements for using a backless booster seat, as this will ensure that your child is properly secured in the vehicle at all times.
Here’s what you need to know about when your child can use a backless booster seat.
When can my child use a backless booster seat?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children use some type of restraint until they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8-12 years old.
Once they reach this height, they can move into a backless booster seat, which will raise them up enough so that the adult safety belt fits correctly. This means that it should lie across their shoulder and chest instead of their neck or stomach.
A good way to test if the adult safety belt fits correctly is to have your child sit with their back against the car’s seatback with their knees bent at the edge of the car’s seat cushion.
If the lap belt is across their hipbone and shoulder belt goes across their shoulder, then they are ready for a backless booster seat.
Some exceptions
It’s important to note that every car is different and your child may be able to fit into an adult safety belt in one car but not in another, such as a family member’s car or rental vehicle.
In this case, it’s best to keep them in a booster seat until they are old enough to safely use an adult safety belt in any vehicle.
It’s also important to remember that no matter how tall your child is, if they are under 8 years old then they must remain in an appropriate restraint system such as a forward-facing 5-point harnessed car seat or high-back booster with harness straps until at least 8 years old or 57 inches tall – whichever comes first!
Conclusion
Overall, using a backless booster seat for your child is an important step in making sure that they are safe while riding in vehicles.
By understanding the age and size requirements for when children can move from using traditional restraints such as 5-point harnessed car seats into backless boosters, parents can make sure that their children remain secure while driving around town or on long road trips.
With these tips on when your child can use a backless booster seat, you can be sure that you are making the right choice for protecting your little one!
