When Is the Right Time to Transition to a Booster Seat?
Transition your child to a booster seat after thinking it over.
Switching from forward-facing car seats to boosters (backless or high back) is necessary to protect your child since they will outgrow their forward-facing seats anyway.
But in some situations, you may be needlessly rushing things.
Let us help you decide.
Guidelines To Follow When Transitioning to A Booster Seat
The thumb rule to follow when switching to a booster seat is to check the height and weight of the child as well as the car seat manufacturer’s instructions about advisable height and weight limits. Here is a brief guideline you could follow:
5 Guidelines to Follow When Switching To Booster Seats
Rule 1
Your child has “outgrown” the height and weight specifications of their forward-facing harness seats which can typically safely accommodate somewhere between 40 to 65 pounds.
Rule 2
Your child’s weight should ideally fall in the range of 40 to 80 pounds and their height should be under 4’9’’ or at least 35’’ tall if they’re to use a booster seat. The age range for this height and weight is usually associated with 4 to 8-year-olds.
Rule 3
The lap seat belt should cross the thighs or the hip bone. The shoulder belt should cross mid-shoulder.
Rule 4
Try to keep your child in a forward-facing harness for as long as possible, they are safer in those. However, when the time does come to transition, go ahead.
Rule 5
Check and adjust the booster seat every 6 months to adjust with your growing child, especially in booster seats. The head and the next should be supported properly.
Tips For A Safe Transition To Booster Seats
As a parent helping your child make the move to a booster seat, here are some tips that could help you.
- Until the adult seat belt fits comfortably, don’t feel the need to switch from a front-facing harness seat to a booster seat.
- Encourage your child to follow car safety rules and do follow them yourself.
- Kids under 13 should always ride in the back seat.
- Ensure that the booster seat fits in all the cars your child will use.
What Does Your State Say About When To Use Booster Seats?
Every state in the USA has its laws concerning booster seats. Check out the details for your state. Comply to avoid fines while traveling.
Source of table: https://www.ghsa.org/state-laws/issues/child%20passenger%20safety
| Washington | 4 years and older – car or booster seat until 4’9” |
| Oregon | Booster required until the child is 8 years old AND the adult seatbelt fits correctly OR the child is 4’9” tall |
| California | Under 8 yrs or under 57″ tall in child safety seat or booster seat in the back seat, following manufacturer instructions |
| Nevada | Child Restraint Required Under 6 yrs and less than 57 inches tall |
| Montana | Child Restraint Required Under 6 yrs and under 60 lbs |
| Wyoming | Child Restraint Required 8 yrs or under in rear seat if available |
| Utah | Child Restraint Required 7 yrs or under and under 57″ tall |
| Arizona | Child Restraint Required 4 yrs or under 5-7 yrs and under 57″ tall |
| North Dakota | Child Restraint Required Younger than 8 years of age and under 57″ |
| South Dakota | 8-18 yrs must be properly secured in a seat belt, harnessed child safety seat or booster seat. |
| Colorado | 4-8 years and at least 40 lbs in child restraint or booster (effective 01/01/25) 8 and younger must be in the rear seat if available (effective 01/01/25) |
| New Mexico | 5-6 yrs or under 60 lbs in booster seat |
| Nebraska | Child Restraint Required Under 2 years old until hight or weight limit reached in rear-facing seat Under 8 years old in child safety seat and in rear seat if available |
| Kansas | 4-8 years, under 80 pounds or 57” tall in an appropriate child restraint or booster seat |
| Oklahoma | 4-7 yrs and shorter than 4’9″ in a child restraint or booster seat |
| Texas | Child Restraint Required Under 8 yrs or under 57″ tall |
| Minnesota | 4-8 yrs in booster seat if outgrown forward-facing harness seat by height or weight Under 13 in rear seat if possible * If a child can be placed in more than one category, then the child must be placed in the more protective category. |
| Iowa | 1-5 yrs in child restraint or booster seat |
| Missouri | 4-7 yrs and 40-80 lbs and 4’9″ or shorter in child safety seat or booster seat At least 80 lbs or taller than 4’9″ in booster seat or safety belt |
| Arkansas | Child Restraint Required 5 yrs and under and under 60 lbs |
| Louisiana | 4-8 yrs in booster seat if outgrown forward-facing harness seat by height or weight Under 13 in rear seat if possible |
| Wisconsin | 4-7 yrs & 40-80 lbs & under 57″ tall must be in either rear- or forward-facing child restraint or booster seat |
| Illinois | Child Restraint Required Under 2 yrs under 40 lbs and under 40″ in rear-facing child restraint Under 8 yrs |
| Mississippi | 4-6 yrs and under 57″ tall or under 65 lbs in booster seat |
| Alabama | At least 5 years or 40 pounds to use a booster seat. Booster seats until the child is six years of age. |
| Tennessee | 4-9 yrs and shorter than 4’9″ in booster seat, following manufacturer instructions (until 9th birthday) 9 yrs or younger and taller than 4’9″, seat belt and in rear seat if available Rear seat recommended for 9-12 yrs |
| Kentucky | 7 yrs or under and between 40″ and 57″ tall in booster seat |
| Ohio | 4-8 yrs, over 40 lbs and under 4’9″ tall in booster seat, following manufacturer instructions |
| Michigan | 5-7 yrs, unless reached height of 4 feet 9 inches, must be in a belt-positioning child booster (effective 09/25/24) |
| Georgia | Child Restraint Required Under 8 yrs and 57″ or shorter in rear seat if available |
| Florida | Child Restraint Required 5 yrs or under |
| New York | Child Restraint Required Under 2 yrs (or until outgrows the top height or weight recommendations) in rear-facing child restraint 3 yrs or under unless over 40 lbs and no lap/shoulder belt available 4-7 yrs unless no lap/shoulder belt available |
| Pennsylvania | 4-7 yrs booster seat |
| Alaska | 1 yr to under 5 yrs in an appropriate car seat or booster seat 5 to under 8 yrs and less than 4′ 9″ (57″) tall and less than 65 lbs in an appropriate car seat or booster seat Drivers must ensure all children under 16 are properly secured in a car seat, booster seat, or seat belt |
| Maryland | Child Restraint Required Under 8 yrs unless over 57″ tall. Rear-facing until age 2 or until they exceed the height/weight specifications of the manufacturer. |
| New Jersey | Under 8 yrs & shorter than 57″ in forward-facing child safety seat or booster seat until height or weight limit reached in the rear seat if available |
Wrapping Up
Follow your state recommendations about the use of booster seats. Failure to do so may result in fines. If you are looking to travel with Kidmoto, rest assured that we follow all the State guidelines and ensure that your child has the safest ride in a taxi. Download our app and start using Kidmoto.
