Not too long ago there were very few 5 point harnessed seats that could hold a child who weighs over 40 pounds.
Five point harness booster seat age.
Today there is a vast array of seats to choose from that can harness the average 5 6 year old some of those options cost as little as 50.
In california children must ride in an appropriate booster or safety seat in the back of the car until they are six years old or weigh at least 60 pounds.
You can secure your child based on his or her age using the 5 point harness which is designed for children who are at least two years old or you could use your vehicle s seat belt which is good for children who are at least four years old.
Children are better restrained and consequently safer when secured by a five point harness in a forward facing car seat than when they re using a seat belt in a booster seat.
Notice that as long as possible is the crux of their argument here and that most kids can safely fit in car seats well beyond 4 years because the fact is that most car seat manufacturers make 5 point harness seats that fit kids up to 7 or 8 years old.
Three year olds are not ready to ride in a booster seat even if they fit within the manufacturer s height and weight guidelines.
For infants and toddlers up to 40 pounds the safest way to travel is using a five point harness 1.
The american academy of pediatrics recommends that kids use a car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight for that five point harness.
This is usually not until at least age five.
It should not be used until your child is at least 5 years old and will stay seated the entire ride in the back seat with a seat belt across the shoulder and hips.
The great news is that for most kids there is no rush whatsoever to move into a booster seat.
But many kids are nearing the weight limit by around age 5.
If you want to keep your child in a forward facing car seat a little longer look for a model with an extended weight and height capacity.
A forward facing car seat with a five point harness system is the safest option so keep him there if possible.
That s right there aren t any.