The booster issue is fraught with mixed & conflicting messages. Not only do different parties have different messages, but often one party will contradict itself (see our previous booster post). One inconsistency makes us cringe: Lower-weight booster seats. While most
agencies and organizations are pushing for parents to keep their
children in higher-weight 5-point harnesses, the manufacturers of
booster seats are promoting booster seat use starting at thirty pounds. This is
not new, but it needed to be said. Why are parents still being given this message?
Much of the confusion with boosters occurs when old rules or rules
of thumb become outdated. For example, the "4 & 40" rule of thumb
made sense when higher-weight convertibles and combinations did not
exist. The same reasoning applies to the lower-weight limit boosters.
Some children grew out of their 40lb seats by length, before weight.
This left parents with no options, except of course, the 30lb boosters.
With higher-weight 5-point harnesses now on the market, these
lower-weight boosters become unnecessary.
The technology changed, but the manufacturer's message didn't.
So here is a quick message overview for booster use in general:
1. Manufacturers of Lower-Weight Boosters: Parents can start booster use at 30 lbs.
2. Many Technicians & Media: 4 years and 40 lbs before going into a booster.
3. AAP, CHOP, NHTSA: 5-point longer, max-out your forward-facing convertible.
4. Manufacturers of higher-height convertible: We go to 65, 80 and beyond
5. State Law: It varies, but some usually say just to be in a child restraint system until a certain age.
We agree with 3 & 4.
Its time the manufacturers re-evaluate their lower-weight product. Please comment if you have an opinion.
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