Booster Seat?? When to???

[H&B'sMum]

I'm just wondering when do you put your child into a booster seat.
Harry is 21 months and only 11kgs, would you put him in a booster seat or leave him in his 5 point car seat???

[Tisme]

Ciara went into a toddler seat (rigid upright with 5 way harness) at 20 Mths (10kgs) when Alana was born, and Alana we moved over at around 22 mths (10kgs) into the same seat. They are great to start with as they are completely upright but still anchored into the car so don't move.
They are both now in booster seats and only weigh around the 12-13 kgs (yes at 4 he is still only 13 kgs) we had to move ALana into a booster chair and belt as she FOUGHT the harness every step of the way.

I went to buy a new seat for bub yesterday and got told that they should BOTH be in baby/toddler seats as they are too small for the boosters (having to be 14 kgs) but I just couldn't ridicule my boy by trying to put him in a baby seat at 4.

If you are really concerned safety wise, look into the toddler seats as they are still on the market and are great for that in between stage and can be used from 8 to 16 kgs.

[ThomasMum]

According to RTA (http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/restraintschildrestraints/childrestraints/choosingarestraint.html):

Older children (up to 26 kg, about 6 years)
A booster seat may be needed to improve seat belt fit or to enable your child to see out of the vehicle. As a general guide, buy a rigid booster seat (with a back), side wings and a sash guide to keep the seat belt in place -all the preferred booster seats are like this. Use an adult lap/sash seat belt or a child harness in conjunction with the centre rear lap belt. When using a harness, remember to tightly adjust the lap belt first, and then the harness, just removing the slack. The lap belt should always be much tighter than the shoulder harness.

TM

[H&B'sMum]

Thanks everyone great advice. I'll might check out the sears next time I go shopping.

[Baby Girl]

The recommendation for booster set use is 18kgs. I would not be in any hurry to put my bub into a booster before this weight as the seat belts do not fit properly and can actually cause injuries rather than increase safety before bub reaches a certain size. If you do look at boosters for Harry at such a young age, please look at the ones like the maxi rider which have the five point harness for bub and the seatbelt goes around/through the seat and not over bub so can't cut into their little necks or anything like that.

Maybe speak to an authorised car seat fitter, they would be able to give you some good advice about the best sort of seat or the best age to change bub into the next seat.

Good Luck making your choice.

[Lunar]

You should not put your child into a booster seat until thet are at LEAST 14 kilos, and most 5 point seats will still suit child up to 4 years old (depending on weight) some seats still fit 4 year old up to 28kgs.
My DD is still in a 5 point seat she is over 15 kilos now and is nearly 4 (even tho she is small for her age) And I will continue to use the seat until she out grows it (the car seat she is in now was the one she came home from the hospital in, as it is a reversable one that suits till age 4 or 18 kilos I think) She does however occasionally go in a booster seat if she is in Nanny's car and it is only to travel short distance (5-10 min drive.)
I just wouldn't like to take the chance, the anchored 5 pnt harness is the best until they are 3 IMO or they reach the seat weight limit.

[reAllytee]

I remember hearing the RTA even release a statement recently saying kids are best kept in baby/toddler seats as long as possible especially if they havent the size or the weight. They even stated some 7yr olds should still be using them due to their sizes.
Wish i had that problem i wish my bubs was still the average size as i had to change him to forward facing at approx 7mths as he was too long & heavy for it to be kept rear facing. Yes he had head control etc back then but i still think about what whiplash can do.
Remember keeping them in these types of seats for as long as possible ensures their safety even if its a little bit embarassing so i guess you have to work out whats more important.

[our little treasures]

this is a bit off the topic but my sil asked the rta what age can her son sit in the front seat and the person told her any age as there is no legal age with seat or without? Now I know that they can sit in front but I thought it was with child seat the person kept repeating we advice parents to use common sense but there is no law!!!!

I told sil to get second opinion as I think he was giving wrong info, as her son is only 3 and she believes it... I told her at that age I wouldnt pout my son in front seat with out restraint (we both have hubbies with trade vehicles)..
I thought the law was 8yrs does anyone know

[reAllytee]

To quote a site i found :
Babies under 12 months of age, travelling in a motor vehicle manufactured on or after 1 July 1976 must use an approved child restraint that is properly fastened and adjusted. This applies to all cars, station wagons, four wheel drive vehicles and minibuses. An exemption applies to certain vehicles (including taxis). Children between 12 months and 16 years of age must use an approved restraint suitable for their size, properly adjusted and fastened.
The law does not forbid children riding in the front seat of a car, provided they are using proper restraints. However, the front passenger seat is the least safe seat in the car and provides less protection for the passenger than any other seat.
Common sense should tell you where to have your child in the car.