Carseat for 9.75 yo?

[HeatherH]

OK, folks - I read such conflicting things on the internet. . . .

What should I do with 9 yo dd who weighs 55 lbs? She's too tall for it, clearly. Just a regular belt? What do you all do?

Oh, and don't even ASK about Alabama - they don't even have to be RESTRAINED past age 6!!!!!!!

[JFS in IL]

We used a booster for youngest dd that had both a seat and the back support, with three levels of hook things on the top side to hold the shoulder strap in the correct position. It went to 80 lbs.

[Trivium Academy]

Info at AAP: Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing car safety seats. Children should stay in a booster seat until the adult seat belts fit correctly (usually when a child reaches about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 and 12 years of age).

[Jen3boys]

My dss8 are about 55 lbs and they use booster seats with a belt positioner. I think it also depends how tall your dd is.

[anissarobert]

I just want you to know that you are not alone. My dd14 used a backless booster until she was 10.5.

My son is almost 9 and he is still in a booster although he will meet the weight before the height.

I have always followed the above recommendation, since Idaho state laws are no help either.

[Sasharowan]

Graco Turbo Booster has an adjustable back that can be raised as dc's grow. Also the back can be taken off and used as a backless booster if needed. It goes up to 100 pounds. Both my dd8 and ds7 use them. dd8 prefers to use it, says it's more comfortable.

[3blessingmom]

The Britax Regent is a GREAT carseat- 5pt harness up to like 80lbs, and the tallest settings that I know of for height.

Even if the LAW says a booster is for over 4yr's and 40lbs - 5pt harness is always safest. .02 All of my dc will be in 5pt harness until they max out of the biggest carseat I can buy:001_smile:

www.babyage.com (http://www.babyage.com) has some great sales on Britax now and then. Google for free shipping offers.;)

[Ottakee]

How tall is she?

My almost 13 year old dd and 11 1/2 dd both ride in booster seats 95% of the time. I do on rare occ. let them ride without them in certain vehicles if the seat belts fit them well in those cars.

The Turbo Booster with no back is great and will fit taller kids--just make sure they have a head rest at the right height behind them.

I don't know if my olderst dd will EVER be out of a booster. She is about 4'7" tall right now but has already been in puberty. The doctor is hoping for 4'9-4'10 out of her.

[suzf242]

It might also depend on what kind of vehicle you have. We have a small car, and any kind of booster puts my daughter's head above the headrest. If we were to wreck with her head up that high, her neck would not be supported. Even though we're not technically legal, I feel it is a lot safer for her to just use the seatbelt.