The Best Car Booster Seats

Moving up to a booster seat from a baby’s car seat is a big event in a child’s life. As a parent, you want to make sure your child still has all the protection they need while travelling. You also want the transition to go smoothly. This can all be achieved by finding the best car booster seat for your own individual needs. The following information will explain some of the features that the best seats have.

Safety Ratings

You want a booster seat with good safety ratings. All boosters are rated by The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) on how efficiently they position children for proper seat belt placement. You should be looking for energy absorbing foam and side impact protection on all high-back and combination booster seats. You also need a secure latch on them so that they won’t become a projectile during a crash.

Height and Weight Limits

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that all children use a car booster seat until they can properly use the car’s seat belt alone. This won’t happen until 8 to 12 years of age. A properly fitted car’s seat belt will lie snugly across their upper thighs. It shouldn’t be crossing the stomach. The shoulder belt needs to stay snugly across the shoulder and chest without crossing their neck or face. Look for a high height and weight limit when buying a booster seat for young children. Five point harnesses are safer than the seat belt alone.

Harness Guide

You will want a booster seat with a harness that is easy to use. The harness should be easy to put in place and buckle on any combination booster seat for younger kids. Older children’s belt positioning booster seats need to have a clearly marked path for the seat belt to fit in. This ensures the belt will work properly. The child should be able to buckle themselves in at this point in time.

Adjustability

A good car booster seat will include adjustable harness slots and crotch straps. The harness strap needs to adjust easily to account for growth. Look for at least two slots for the crotch strap, but three are preferable. None of the crotch straps or slots should rest underneath the child.

What to Know Before Buying

You may be wondering how to tell if your child is big enough for a car booster seat. It is usually around age four that children are ready for their belt-positioning car booster seat. While many manufacturer’s list the minimum weight for a car booster seat as low as 30 pounds, most experts agree that parents should keep them in a five-point harness for as long as possible to be safe. A car seat that converts from a five-point harness to a belt-positioning booster will give parents the biggest value for their money.

Another thing to consider is whether your child travels frequently or car pools with others. Some of the combination car booster seats with high backs are bulky and heavy. This isn’t ideal for kids that will be switching from one vehicle to another. Select a lighter weight, easy to carry booster seat for carpooling and travel. Backless models are quite nice for these circumstances due to their portability.

You also need to think about how much available space you have in your vehicle. You might have a smaller car with a cramped back seat. Maybe you need to fit multiple car seats in just one row. If this is the case, look for a car booster seat with a narrow width in order to maximize your space.
Does your family take frequent long trips in the car? If so, your car booster seat needs to be comfortable enough to allow your child short naps. Look for adequate padding and adjustable harnesses. A high back booster is perfect for children who are heavy sleepers while riding in the car. The wings prevent their head from slumping.
Some parents like the booster seat to match the car’s interior. Many models are available in a variety of fabrics ranging from neutral colors to vibrant hues. Color can also work to your advantage when persuading a reluctant child to use their new booster seat. Ease the pain by letting them pick their own color.

Remember that your booster seat is going to need to survive spilled drinks, dirt and grime, knocked over snacks, and the occasional car sickness. Look for seats that are covered with removable fabric that you can machine wash.
Whether your car has low seat backs or contoured seats will make a difference in which booster seat will work best. The booster seat needs to fit properly and grip the surface of the seat correctly. High back booster seats will best protect your child if you have low back seats or seats without headrests.
Are you expecting to use the booster seat for more than one child? Many models have an expiration date. Your child could be using this seat for four or more years. This is why it is important to check the expiration date.
Recommendations

If you are looking for a high-end car booster seat, the Evenflo Maestro Booster Car Seat will fit the bill. This model converts from a five point harness seat to a belt positioning booster easily. It has two cup holders, and it is equipped for both a latch and a tether system. It does come with a high price tag, but budget minded parents can take comfort in the Cosco Topside Booster Car Seat. For under $15 you will still get plush padding and plenty of safety.
The Graco Affix Youth Booster Seat with Latch System is a very nice mid-priced design with added features like the two cup holders. Its high-back design and comfortable arm rests keep sleepy children safely upright. Another interesting booster seat worth taking a look at is the Bubble Bum Inflatable Booster Seat. Although you may not want to use it on a day to day basis, this booster is great for travel. When it is deflated it can easily slip into any bag or purse.

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This page about Car Booster Seat was composed by V. Tobies and published by Alternative.me.
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