In this blog post, you will learn about when can a child stop using a booster. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children use a booster seat until they are at least four feet nine inches tall. This is generally between eight and twelve years old but can be before or after depending on the child’s size and weight.
The more important consideration than age is height because it affects both safety in an accident as well as comfort while driving. Once your child has outgrown the regular car seat—usually by reaching about four-and-a-half feet tall—the next best option for them is to start using a belt-positioning booster seat.
These types of seats raise the shoulder strap so that it fits properly across their chest and rib cage rather than just resting against their collarbone like with traditional lap belts used in a car seat.
According to most state laws, children between the ages of eight and twelve are required by law to use some sort of supplemental restraint system when riding in a motor vehicle.
This includes not only booster seats, but also safety belts. In fact, many states have specific rules requiring that all automobile passengers under age eighteen be restrained either with a lap/shoulder belt or another type of child safety seat appropriate for their size and weight until they reach both six years old well as 60 pounds—whichever comes first.
After this point, every child should still ride in an approved booster seat if they weigh more than 40 pounds but less than 80 pounds. However, those who are over 80 lbs can often start using just the regular adult safety belt.
There are many reasons why children should stay in booster seats past the age of twelve, including:
- A booster seat boosts your child up so that they can be properly restrained by both a lap and shoulder belt .
- If you have an older child who is over 40 pounds but under 80 pounds then this type of regular car safety restraint system may work for them as long as it fits correctly. However, if your child weighs more than 80 lbs—which means they are at least 12 years old or already taller than four feet nine inches tall—this type of standard adult safety belt won’t fit right anymore.
When should I buy a convertible car seat?
There are several different factors to consider when buying a convertible car seat. Some parents prefer the convenience and simplicity of an infant car seat, but others want their children in a convertible from birth or even before they have reached 20 pounds! It is best to wait until you know your baby’s size so that he or she can fit into it comfortably.
When your child is between 19 and 40 lbs (or up to two years old) then you should start considering whether this type of car seat will work for you.
This way, there won’t be any need to keep putting them back in the same one over and over again as they grow bigger and heavier. You may also wish to consider important affordability is because some convertible car seats can be quite expensive.
What is the safest rear-facing car seat?
When assessing a rear-facing car seat, here are some features to look for:
– Five-point harness system. This reduces the chance of your child being ejected from their safety seat during an accident. The five points include two legs straps and three shoulder straps.
In most cases, you will need to buckle these in with special clips or hooks which can be complicated at first but eventually become second nature as they fasten just like a belt around your waist does when getting into a car!
Remember that all children should ride in the backseat until age 12 unless there is no other option available due to legroom concerns on behalf of another passenger sitting behind them (typically only applies if someone over six feet tall would ever sit directly behind them).
– Side Impact Protection. The shell of a car seat should always be sturdy enough to control the impact from an accident and absorb some energy during the collision. If this is not strong, your child will feel all of that force as it hits them directly instead!
In addition, there are usually special pillows or cushions on each side that provide extra protection for their head if another vehicle were to hit them from either direction (which may cause you to roll over onto one shoulder).
– Extra padding. Rear-facing seats have much more cushioning than forward-facing ones do since they need just as much support for their necks but also keep in mind that children often fall asleep sitting up so having ample padding is important here too! Although many rear-facing car seats have a built-in headrest, you can add a cushion if necessary for support.
– Inertia reel harness strap holders. These help keep the straps from getting tangled or twisted when not in use and then become undone when they are needed most! This feature is important to look out for because otherwise, your child could end up injured by a loose shoulder belt during impact.
– Lightweight frame makes it easier to move around between cars as long as it’s installed properly so that it does not interfere with the seating positions of other passengers who need adequate legroom at all times (typically applies only if someone over six feet tall would ever sit directly behind them). Remember that no one should ride sitting right next to another person unless there is no option for a third seat.
– Belt lock-offs make it easier to buckle the belt through and ensure that no slack is left behind which can cause injury if not properly secured! Again, this will become second nature after some practise time in both your own car as well as rental vehicles while on vacation or business trips.
The same goes for installation too since you want to remove any slack from the belts when attaching them so they are tight enough around the frame of your child’s safety seat but do not interfere with their legroom either!