Different Types of Booster Car Seats

There are three types of booster car seats depending on the age and size of the child. The first is the infant seat. These are designed for babies less than 20 pounds. However, these may still be used even if the infant is already between 22 – 32 pounds depending on the model. They always face the rear of the vehicle. The second type is the convertible seat. They are bigger than the infant seat but can be converted to a forward facing seat when the child is older and bigger.

Children should use a convertible seat until they are at least four years old or weigh 65 pounds. Children who are 8-12 years old and over 4 feet tall should ride booster car seats. These are front facing and designed to raise the child up so that the car seat belt will fit properly. Children should use booster car seats until they are big enough to fit the car seat belt properly.

There are two types of booster car seats – the backless booster and the high back. The backless booster is cheaper, lighter and more compact. Older children who do not like to look like babies prefer this. However, a backless booster should not be used if the car’s seat is lower than the top of the child’s ears. The child might suffer whiplash injuries if the seat is not this high. A high back booster car seat should be used instead.
There are two types of high back booster car seats – the belt positioning booster and the combination seat. The back can be removed in the belt positioning booster and turn it into a backless booster. On the other hand, the combination booster can work either as a 5 point harness for children up to 40 pounds or as a belt positioning booster when they are bigger (over 40 pounds). All you have to do is remove the harness and use the car’s seat belt to secure the child. The advantage of the high back booster is that it usually gives the best positioning of the shoulder belt.

The five point harness is also considered the safest type of harness because it restrains the child at both the shoulders and hips and distributes the force of collision to the strongest parts of the body in the event of an impact. If you want to use this type for as long as possible, buy one that has several harness-strap height settings to give room for the child’s increasing height. Choose a high-back booster that has padded “wings” if your child tends to fall asleep when traveling. These wings function as headrest sand also give better protection in a side-impact crash by better securing the child’s head and torso.

Whichever type of seat you choose, make sure that it has a positioning guide for your vehicle’s shoulder belt, which positions the belt across your child’s chest in the right place. If it has, make sure that it allows the belt to retract easily.