Booster seat question

[Anonymous]

How long should a child be using the booster seat?
My DS is 8 years old and about 53 pounds.
Is it safe for him not to use it anymore?

*One more question;Is it ok for him to seat on the front seat sometimes?

Thank's.

[Anonymous]

Under MD law, once a kid hits age 8 they no longer use a booster seat. As far as the front seat, given your child's age and weight, I'd be waiting a few more years.

[Anonymous]

My doc said to keep your child in the backseat until he/she can drive. While she was joking when she said that, her point was to keep children in the back seat as long as possible.

[Anonymous]

Good info on this site:

http://www.usa.safekids.org/skbu/cps/boosters.html

The guidelines listed there are: "Use a booster seat until your child weighs between 80 and 100 pounds, is about 4 feet, 9 inches tall and can pass the Safety Belt Fit Test. For most children, that will be between ages 8 and 12."

You can read about the Safety Belt Fit Test at the link provided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good info on this site:

http://www.usa.safekids.org/skbu/cps/boosters.html

The guidelines listed there are: "Use a booster seat until your child weighs between 80 and 100 pounds, is about 4 feet, 9 inches tall and can pass the Safety Belt Fit Test. For most children, that will be between ages 8 and 12."

You can read about the Safety Belt Fit Test at the link provided.

Yes, this is what we follow. My sons are almost-12 and 8 and are still in boosters. The 75-lb 11yo is in a backless booster; the 8yo still uses the back with the seatbelt guide.

When the older one hits 4'9" we will consider not using the booster, if he can pass the safety belt fit test. He is currently 4'7".

I am astonished from time to time that we seem to be alone in our use of the booster, even though many of his friends are his size or smaller. I think people see getting out of the carseat/booster etc. as some sort of achievement, or something.

[Anonymous]

12:21 here. I should add that state law is generally the bare minimum and inconsistent with safety recs. I would never consider taking a 53-lb 8yo out of the booster. My 8yo (almost 9) weighs 68 lbs and will be in the booster for at least another few years.

[Anonymous]

Yes the age is irrelevant, it's the size of the child that matters. It's hard to get an older child (12 or 13) to agree to ride in the backseat. It's a point of pride at this point.