When your child starts to outgrow their car seat, it’s time to move them up to a booster seat. But when does this happen? And what are the guidelines for moving a baby from a car seat to a booster seat? In this blog post, we will answer these questions and more. We will also provide tips on how to make the transition as smooth as possible for both you and your child.
When to move from car seat to booster seat
When Should You Move From Car Seat To Booster Seat?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children use a car seat or booster seat until they are age 8 years old, or until their weight reaches 32 pounds. If a child’s height is below the minimum height/weight requirement for their car seat, they may need to use a booster seat. Children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old should ride in the backseat of the car using a rear-facing car seat or booster seat. The AAP also notes that children who are shorter than the minimum height for their car seat should remain in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the appropriate height.
When to start using a booster seat
When using a car seat, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) recommend that a child be moved to a booster seat at about 4 years old and 5 feet 9 inches tall. If your child is taller than 5 feet 9 inches, you may want to continue using their car seat until they are 8 or older and 12 years old or taller. Keep in mind that the weight and size of your child may change over time, so it’s important to check their height regularly.
Types of boosters
boosters come in many different shapes and sizes, but all work the same way. They lift a child up so they can ride in a car seat or stroller without having to use their hands.
There are three main types of boosters: infant, convertible, and forward-facing.
Infant boosters are designed for babies who are not yet able to sit up on their own. They usually have a harness that goes around your child’s waist and straps into the car seat or stroller. These boosters often have an extra strap that goes over your child’s shoulders, so you can hold onto them if necessary.
Convertible boosters work just like infant boosters, but the straps can be adjusted to fit a variety of car seats. This type is good if you plan on using your booster later as a regular seat for your child.
Forward-facing boosters are designed for children who are at least 2 years old and able to sit up straighter with support. These usually have a back support that cradles your child’s head and neck, and straps that go around their waist and shoulder blades. Forward-facing boosters provide more stability than infant or convertible boosters, which is why they’re sometimes used for older kids instead of younger ones.
How to use a booster seat
When Do You Move From Car Seat To Booster Seat?
booster seats are designed for use when a child is in a car or on an airplane. They provide additional support and stability for infants and toddlers who are too small for regular seats.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children use a booster seat until they reach the weight and height limits of their vehicle’s seat belt systems. When your child is ready to move out of a booster seat, follow these steps:
1. Make sure your car has been certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as meeting all safety requirements for using a booster seat.
2. Choose the right size booster seat for your child based on their age, weight, and height. The AAP provides guidelines for choosing the right size booster seat here: http://www.aap.org/advocacy-and-policy/topic/booster-seats/.
3. Install the booster seat in the backseat of your car using the LATCH system or by using the tether provided with the chair.
4. Place your child in the chair and adjust it so that their head, neck, and spine are fully supported by the backrest and armrests.
The lap belt should fit low across your child’s hips and shoulder straps should be positioned so that they cross their chest just above their nipples. If possible,
When to stop using a booster seat
When to stop using a booster seat depends on your child’s development. Babies who are not yet able to sit unaided should continue using a booster until they can. Children aged between 1 and 2 years should use a booster only when needed and children aged 3 to 4 years old should continue using a booster seat until they reach the height or weight limit of their car seat.