Booster seats for small children: When to start using them

Recent changes to booster-seat laws in Kentucky, Massachusetts and Michigan expose the hodgepodge of state rules that govern the use of car safety seats by children older than four.

The states are uniform in their requirement that children use a car seat until they outgrow front-facing child restraints, usually around the age of four and 40 pounds. But at that age and size kids are still too small to ride safely using only the vehicle's seats belts, which are constructed to fit adults. Booster seats elevate children to a height where they can wear the car's belts correctly.

Not every state has a booster seat law. And even states that have passed laws fail to agree on what age, size or weight a child should be to graduate from a child restraint to car seat belts.

With such a variety of state laws, it's hard for a parent to know what to do. Learn more in our Safety blog.

See our car seats section and car-seat timeline for more information.

Comments

[CR expert]

In our convertible car seat Ratings, we make some recommendations on narrow seats that have the potential to fit 3 across in a rear vehcile seat. (http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/baby-toddler/car-seats/car-seat-recommendations/convertible-car-seat.htm.) They include the Cosco Scenera, Graco ComfortSport and Sunshine Kids Radian 80. The Cosco Scenera and Graco ComfortSport have 40 lb. harness limits which potentially makes them useful for the 3-year-old only. The Radian 80 has a harness that is rated to 80 lbs. so it should accommodate all of them (though they will be in a harness). You’ll have to give them a try. It may be tough in a Versa, which has a somewhat small rear seat.

Another option would be the use of a travel vest. See the attached link that describes them (http://www.videojug.com/interview/child-travel-vests). Keep in mind that you still want to look for one that has been crash tested to meet the federal requirements of standard FMVSS 213 (it should show that on the product's label). This would take up little room, and may make use of your car’s top tether or seat belt, depending on which you choose.

Until you find the solution to keeping them in the rear seat (it's definitely safer), the best practice is for the oldest child to use the front passenger seat. Be sure that the front passenger seat is pushed as far back as possible, and that the “passenger airbag off” light illuminates when he/she is sitting there to show that the front airbag for that seat has been disabled. But that should only be a temporary fix--it's best to get them in the rear seat as soon as you can, using one of the solutions we've just mentioned.

[Heidi]

I have 3 grandchildren ages 6,5, and 3. All three need to be in car seats or boosters and I cannot shut my back door when all three are in their chairs. I have a 2008 versa hatchback so it is not a really small car. What do I need to do now? Do I need to put one of the children in the front seat and what is the answer when we all need to go together as a family of 5? Any help?

[Anna]

I read that you are currently testing the Frontier and Nautilus. When will the testing for those 2 seats be done?
I am curious about the Graco TurboBooster highback versus backless too?

[Nancy Brown]

I am also interested in an answer to last question which was posted by Holly P. Is the backless booster in fact a better choice than a high back booster because of the higher rating? If it is a better choice, it definitely seems counterintuitive.

[Holly P]

I noticed that the BACKLESS Graco TurboBooster earned a higher rating (92) than the HIGH BACK Graco TurboBooster (82). Do those two scores use the same ratings standards? In other words, does that then mean that the backless TurboBooster is safer than the high back TurboBooster? That seems counter-intuitive to me, so I just wanted to double check. I want to make sure that the scores aren't relative to other backless or high back boosters, in which case one cannot make a comparison between the two. I'm trying to find an inexpensive booster for travel for my 4 year old, who ways 40 pounds and outgrown her Britax Roundabout. Thanks!

[CR expert]

The safest is to keep your child in a harness system as long as possible, but only if he is still within the weight and height requirements for that system. If you're buying a new seat, there are now many models that will accomodate children in a harness system up to 65 lbs. or more. Be aware of how much your son weighs and how tall he is before you shop.

[steve southwood]

What is the safest for a 4 1/2 year old a booster or high back chair?

[Lea]

Please continue to test newer toddler booster models that use forward facing using 5 point straps, rather than seatbelts.- for example, Britax has the Frontier and Graco has the 3in1 that fits up to 65lbs (although I think height becomes an issue for both, rather than weight) Given that this is supposed the safer way, I'd like more detailed info.

[Dee Dee]

Please include detailed product model information on your site in your rankings. In the toddler booster seat section, there are several products that do not have pictures or detailed model numbers of tested items. Listing by general product description (ex. *vendor name* high back booster) is vague when the vendor has more than one seat of this type.