have a booster/car seat for my four year old? I didn't know until today that at the 4th year children no longer need a car seat...From all the advertising I see it seemed as though they needed to be in a car seat until they were older. At the same time even the thought of not having one for my four year old makes me feel like a bad parent. Is this just good advertising on the part of the car seat and booster seat makers? It has to be, I feel like I've been brainwashed about this and yet I'm still going to go out and spend $100 and up on a booster/car seat today.
2006-08-30 01:03:06 · 16 answers · asked by Amy B 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Some states laws are out-dated. From what I understand, the ads you're refering to are based on statistics that show it's safer to use a car seat or booster seat. I personally believe better safe than sorry.
2006-08-30 01:19:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In KY, it's the size of the child that determines the car seat use. They have to be 40 lbs and 40" tall. Now, my oldest was bigger than that before he was 4, and I tried him without the car seat. However, I didn't like how he fit in the car, so I had him ride in a booster a while longer.
My 4 year old daughter is now big enough to legally ride without her booster seat, but I don't think she's ready yet, either.
Go on your instincts and do what you think is right. There are states that say kids have to be in car seats until 8 years old. I hope I never drive through one of them, because there is NO WAY my 7 year old can fit in a car seat! LOL
2006-08-30 01:46:03 · answer #2 · answered by Jessie P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because you're smart and a good parent. By Missouri state law, all children under 8 and/or under 4 feet 9 inches must have a child safety or booster seat and be in the back seat. Good choice on sticking with the booster seat.
2006-08-30 01:45:57 · answer #3 · answered by Mandi R 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't feel Bad...I was a Fire Fighter in Fla. A few years ago and parent who didn't use the boosters were the one visting the kids in the hospital. 4 & 5 years olds are to small for a standard seat belt to fit and protect properly. I have four kids 17,15,13,3...all my teens were in boosters till the were 6/7...and now they are all seatbelt weares too...and the make others wear them too....
2006-08-30 01:57:42 · answer #4 · answered by momofmanyx4 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The rule of thumb is that if the child is smaller than like 4'11 they will need at least a booster seat. This always makes me laugh though because I know 10 yr. old girls who are shorter than 4'11 and cannot imagine them in a carseat. I even have a friend who is 29 who is 4'10!! Should she be in a carseat?
Seriously though, you need to go with your gut. If you feel your child is small and needs a seat then by all means use one. It is just good sense and it is always better to be safe.
2006-08-30 02:06:47 · answer #5 · answered by Amelia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After 4 there is no need to put him in a "carseat", but a booster seat is still needed until they are a cartain age/weight/height. Check your laws. I know that it is now a federal law. Yes, definetly keep him in a booster seat. It is so much safer, but make sure you properly use it. It soesn't help if you try to go the easy way...
2006-08-30 01:31:31 · answer #6 · answered by hello_heather_03 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you feel that your child still needs a car seat, put him/her in one. In other states it's manditory for your child to have a car seat until they are a certain weight or height, or both. I put my son in a booster and he's in first grade! I feel that he is not big enough to sit in the seat and the seat belt fit properly. Below is a website from the American Pediatrics Society. They know their stuff. You should read it. Good luck!
2006-08-30 01:13:32 · answer #7 · answered by franny4181 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I teach preschool. Over the course of 15 yrs I had two children (one age 4, one age 5) die from seperate car accidents wearing seat belts. These were at speeds of under 30 mph and no one else was even hurt. I've seen a couple of other kids hurt in accidents from not being properly restrained in a car seat. My boys were in booster seats till second grade. yep, even though kids made fun of them, they still got into their seats. my youngest is wide and big for his age, but I found a nice booster for a shocking $25 that fit to 120 pounds! it was wide enough for him till he was tall enough, and it used the cars lap/shoulder belt combo.
2006-08-30 03:25:22 · answer #8 · answered by Bobbi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Under the law it isn't required but it doesn't stop you as a mom if you think and feel it will keep your child safe. They can't put you in jail for being a good mom. As long as the seat is big enough to seat your child and its easy to get the child out of the seat in case of an emergency - by all means put your child in a car seat.
2006-08-30 01:09:37 · answer #9 · answered by Equinox 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My 5 year old is still in his booster seat and will be until he is too big for it!
2006-08-30 02:00:49 · answer #10 · answered by turtle43761 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋