If you have already answered this question here, than i am sorry.

My 43lb., 5 yr old dd is in a booster seat. How long should she be in it?
I pick up my dd up from school, and a lot of other people pick their kids up too. I have not seen any booster seats in anyone elses cars. So i guess that made me second guess whether or not she needs to be in a booster seat.

What is the age or weight limit for her to be out of the booster seat?
Thanks, Patti

By Cat on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 02:38 pm:

I'm not Trina, but I'll butt in anyway. The current recommendation is "4 to at least 8 years/unless they are 4’9" (57") tall." What booster seat does you dd have? They do have height/weight limits, but I seriously doubt your dd has reached them. There's also a 5 point test to see if a child is ready to ride without a booster.

A. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?

B. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?

C. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?

D. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?

E. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

I can tell you, my 9yo is still in a booster all the time, and my 11yo still uses one in certain seats in our cars (he passes the 5 point test in some seats and doesn't need it). My 9yo is about 58lbs and my 11yo is right around 80lbs. And no, I don't see the other kids using boosters either, but that doesn't stop us. My kids don't complain. I'm sure Trina will jump in here. I just wanted to throw my thoughts out. Hope you don't mind.

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 02:43 pm:

GOOD for you for keeping your DD in a booster!

I drive my kids to school and rarely see other kids using boosters. Unfortunately many parents take their children out of car seats/boosters much too soon. They either aren't aware of or don't care about the current recommendations put out by safety experts.

Vehicle seat belts were designed for adults. They do not offer adequate crash protection for children. Boosters seats raise children up so that vehicle seat belts fit them correctly. Kids are safest in boosters until they are at least 4'9" and can pass the 5 Step Test.

More info:
BoosterSeat.gov

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 02:45 pm:

LOL, Cat! I was composing my message when you posted.

By Bellajoe on Sunday, February 6, 2005 - 03:18 pm:

Thank you both very much! I will keep her in that booster seat then!