How old does a child have to be to use a booster seat instead of the infant car seat?
Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at
6:26 pm
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Infant seats are outgrown when a child reaches the weight limit, or more commonly when the child has less than one inch of plastic shell above his head.
Infants then move to a rearfacing (RF) convertible seats and MUST remain RF until at least 1 year AND 20lbs, but should remain RF until the limits of the seat (30-35lbs in the US).
Children then move forward facing (FF) in a harnessed seat. Forward facing harnessed seats are outgrown when a child reaches the weight limit, or more commonly when the child’s shoulders are above the top harness slots.
If the child is 4 years AND 40lbs, then he may move to a booster with vehicle lap shoulder belt seatbelt. If not, then the child needs a larger FF harnessed seat. There are many seats that harness to 55-80lbs. The Alpha Omega 3-in-1 seats only harness to 40lbs and most 40lb weight limit seats are outgrown before a child is mature enough for a booster seat.
A child should ride in a booster with vehicle lap/shoulder belt until he or she reaches approximately 4’9" (around age 12) and then can move to just the adult seatbelt if he passes the 5 step test and the seatbelt fits him correctly.
If you get a convertible one you can start usually at 10 lbs. Just keep it rear facing till your child is at least one, preferably 2 years old. As for an actual booster, I believe those start at 40 lbs.
Edit: Just to clarify the answer below me… the child needs to be 1 year old and 20 lbs to switch to a forward facing seat. They can move up to a bigger car seat whenever height or weight exceed the limits of their current car seat.
they have to be four year old and 40 pounds to sit in a booster seat with a regular selt belt. If you talking about a infant. The baby has to be one year old and 20 pounds to move up to a different kind of carseat.
I believe most states the law is 40 pounds and 4yo and maybe even a certain height requirement. Check your state law. Also check Youtube for some vids on this. I would keep a tot in a 5 point harness as long as possible.
Hi there. There is usually a weight limit. If you are referring to a convertible car seat that can be rear facing and convert to a booster as the child gets older, some of them are safe as light as 10-15 pounds…it all depends on the particular manufacturer and model of the seat. You would need to decide which seat most fits your needs (and your vehicle). I am guessing that you are referring to the infant carrier seat that can detach from the base etc. and most babies will grow out of those earlier than one year as they are safe up to 20lbs and I believe 27 inches.
No matter how much your child weighs though, they should be rear facing at LEAST the first year. Try to keep them rear facing as long as possible as it is the safest for infants since they don’t have the neck muscles developed and could be seriously hurt in a crash.
The boosters without the 5 point harness are used from 30-80 lbs. and it is the law in most states that one should be used until the child is 6 years AND 60lbs…whichever comes last.
Good luck & hope this helps!