Celebrating each new milestone is a wonderful experience for parents. But when it comes to your preschooler’s safety, don’t be in a hurry to move from a 5-point harnessed car seat into a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.
Every child safety seat has its purpose, and graduating your child to the next seat too early can unknowingly put your child at risk.
Safety seats keep children in the proper position to prevent serious injury during a crash. The purpose of a car seat with a 5-point harness is to limit your child’s movement during a crash. A booster seat allows a child to move more freely while traveling, which puts a child at risk if not in proper position during a crash.
At this age, your child might fit within the height and weight qualifications to graduate to a booster seat; however, your child might not be developmentally ready.
Why the wait on graduating to a booster seat
Being in the proper position during a crash lessens the risk of injury. Most preschoolers are unable to control impulses and sit properly in a booster seat, leaving them out of proper position and vulnerable to injury. The 5-point harness keeps the wiggle-worm safe and in proper position during a crash.
Deciding when to graduate to a booster seat
- When your child is able to sit in the booster seat without wiggling and moving into improper positions.
- When your child reaches the maximum height and weight limits of the car seat. Every seat is different, so be sure to check the labels on the side of the car seat or read the owner’s manual.
In deciding whether your child can move to a booster seat, keep in mind the safety a 5-point harness provides your child.
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Posted In Children's, Parenting
