Jun 2, 2021, 1:47:18 PM CDT Dec 16, 2024, 7:59:01 AM CST

When to switch to a booster seat

Learn booster seat requirements and tips to keep your child safe

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Booster seat requirements guide Booster seat requirements guide

Eventually, your once teeny tiny child will outgrow their car seat. But that doesn't mean they are ready to travel in a car like an adult with only a seat belt. A booster seat helps the seat belt fit your child properly and keeps them safe in case of a car crash. In fact, children are 45% safer in a booster seat as opposed to a seat belt alone.

But since there is no specific age that determines when a child can sit in a booster seat, it's not always clear when it's time to make the switch. See our recommended booster seat guidelines to make sure you don't switch too soon.

What is the difference between car seats and booster seats?

Car seats and booster seats both keep children safe while in the car, but they are designed for children of different ages and at different stages in their development.

  • Car seats are for smaller children, typically from birth until they weigh 40-60 pounds. Car seats use a harness that goes over the shoulders and around their hips to secure a child into their seat.
  • Booster seats are for children who have outgrown car seats and typically weigh more than 40 pounds and are about 4 feet tall or taller. A child sits on a booster seat and uses the car’s seat belt.

When can I switch my child from a car seat to a booster seat?

There is no specific age when a child should switch from a car seat to a booster seat. A child is ready for a booster seat when they have outgrown the height or weight limit of their 5-point harness car seat. Kids are generally between the ages of 5-9 when they begin to outgrow these limitations.

You can check your car seat's manual for its height and weight limits and if it can be converted into a booster seat. Before you make the move from a car seat to a belt-positioning booster seat, make sure your child meets these booster seat requirements:

  • Generally, kids weighing over 65 pounds are ready to switch to a booster seat. Some booster seats are made for kids weighing 40 pounds or more.
  • When your child reaches 49 inches (about 4 feet) tall.
  • When you believe your child is mature enough to properly sit in a booster seat with the seat belt correctly positioned at all times.

It's important not to rush the switch to a booster seat. If your child still fits the height and weight requirements for their car seat, that is their safest option.

What are the different types of booster seats?

There are two types of booster seats: high-back and backless.

  • High-back booster seats have a cushioned base and a built-in backrest. This type provides additional head and neck support for a child. High-back booster seats generally provide better seat belt placement for smaller children than backless booster seats.
  • Backless booster seats have a cushioned base but no back rest. These don’t offer a child as much head and neck support, but they are smaller and more portable. There’s no specific backless booster seat age . That’s because a good, safe fit – with the seat belt is in the right position – is based on a child’s height and weight.

How to choose which booster is best

High-back boosters are a good choice if:

  • Your car does not have headrests. A high-back booster helps provide missing head and neck support.
  • You want an extra level of protection from the shock-absorbing side wings.
  • Your child is small and it’s helpful to have the seat belt “guides” of a high-back booster – to help make sure your child’s seat belt is across their hips and chest (not their belly or neck).

Backless booster seats may be a good choice if:

  • Your car does have headrests.
  • Your child’s ears are in line with the top of the vehicle’s seat back.

For some families, backless boosters are preferable – especially if you need to often move the booster between cars, or if you have a small car or multiple car seats in a single car.

How do booster seats keep kids safe?

Booster seats keep children safe by raising them up so a seat belt fits them properly. When a child is in a booster seat, the belt fits across a child’s body and over their hips, rather than fitting across their face, neck or belly.

How long should kids be in booster seats?

Each state has their own requirements. You can find your state’s laws on this interactive map from the Governor’s Highway Safety Association.

Texas laws for car seats and booster seats

Texas law requires that all children use a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall. Even if your child is 8 and they are of legal age to stop using a booster seat, if they are under 4 feet 9 inches tall, you should continue to use a booster seat to keep your child safe.

The 5-step test to see if your child is ready to ride without a booster:

If you're wondering when your child can ride without a booster seat, first see if you can say “yes” to all of these questions.

  1. Can your child sit with their back against your car’s seat?
  2. Do your child's knees bend in front of the edge of the seat cushion?
  3. Is the lap belt sitting low across your child's hips and touching their thighs?
  4. Does the sash belt sit across the middle of your child's shoulder?
  5. Can your child stay seated upright for an entire trip – without slumping?

If the answer to all of these questions was “yes,” your child has probably outgrown their booster seat.

How do you install a booster seat?

A booster seat is typically held in place by the child's weight and the vehicle's lap-and-shoulder belt. Some booster seats use your car's lower anchors and LATCH system like a car seat. It's important to read the booster seat instruction manual before installing your child's booster seat. Your car's instruction manual can also help you determine how to properly and safely install the seat. If your car doesn't have headrests, you should use a high-back booster seat.

Here are some important tips to follow when you install your child's booster seat:

  • Always place the booster seat in the back seat.
  • Always use a lap and shoulder seat belt with the booster seat.
  • Place the booster seat flat on the vehicle seat.

Have your child sit in the booster seat and pull the seat belt across your child's body to make sure the belt fits properly. The seat belt should rest low on the hips, not across the stomach. Across the chest, the belt should lie firmly in the middle of the child's shoulder.

Do booster seats expire?

Yes, car seats and booster seats do expire. The main reasons that they expire is because of:

  • Wear and tear
  • Changing regulations
  • Recalls and manufacturer testing

In general, car seats expire between 6 and 10 years from the manufacture date.

Before you purchase a used booster seat or borrow one from a friend, check for a recall from the manufacturer's website. Safe Kids also has an ongoing list.

If you can't find an expiration date on the bottom or back of the booster seat, you can also check the manufacturer's website for your booster seat brand and information on how to find the expiration date.

Learn more

Did you know that 3 out of 4 car seats are installed incorrectly. We are passionate about helping you keep your child safe. Children's Health℠ certified child passenger safety technicians can help you understand what car seat is right for your child and how to install it. Learn more about our car seat services and make an appointment today.

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