A Guide on When To Switch to High-Back Booster

Kids grow up fast and it seems as soon as you get a handle on things, everything switches up again! Car seats are no different. Each time you move your child to a new car seat phase, it’s time to mentally prepare for the next stage. One of the biggest transitions when it comes to car seats is moving out of a front-facing 5-point harness car seat and into a high-back booster seat! 

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Transition to use a booster seat of any kind is a big deal, because you’re leaving behind the safety and support of that 5-point harness! If you make that move too early, you could put your child at a much greater risk of injury or death in a crash. But, don’t let that scare you. There are clear criteria that determine when it’s the best time to graduate from the front-facing seat and into a high-back booster. 

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Today, we’re going to give you a clear guide on when to switch to a high-back booster! Here’s what you need to know: 

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A Guide on When To Switch to High-Back Booster

When we think of “car seat safety,” we may think about infant carriers and 5-point harness seats. Beyond that, too many parents get lax with car seat safety and switch to a booster too early or ditch booster seats all together long before it’s the right time. 

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But, the fact is that parents can reduce the risk of crash-related injury or death in their children ages 4-8 by 45% if in a booster seat compared to a seat belt alone. Plus, states that require children to be in booster seats until at least 7 years old have a 25% child lower fatality rate in car crashes. These numbers don’t lie! The booster seat phase is just as important as any other car seat phase, but you don’t want to move there too soon. 

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Below, we’ll get into details about when your child is rear for a booster seat, so you can have confidence your kids are safe in their seats no matter the stage! 

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What is a High-Back Booster Seat?

A high-back booster seat is a type of car seat designed for kids who have outgrown their forward-facing car seat and harness, but still need some support to ride safely. It has a built-in backrest and head restraint, but uses the seat belt as the primary restraint system. The booster’s shell also helps position the seat belt properly on your child’s body. The combination of the seat belt and the shell provide plenty of support and protection to kids of the right age and size! 

There are different types of boosters: backless boosters and high-back boosters. However, they’re not equal or a matter of preference. A child should first go into a high-back booster and max out one of the limits there before moving to a backless booster, which will provide significantly less support. Here’s more on the different types of car seats! 

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And, if you’re ready to purchase a high-back booster, you can browse tons of options on Safe in the Seat. On each seat we have listed, we explain our favorite features, quirks to look out for, and offer the best price available. Here’s our high-back booster list!

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When to Transition to High-Back Booster

Think beyond the minimum requirements. 

As with all car seat phases, you should consider more than just the basic requirements. These minimums do not reflect the safest times to transition, just the earliest you should possibly consider moving your child to a booster. So, have these minimums in mind, but don’t be quick to graduate from the front-facing car seat phase until you’ve finished reading. 

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Here are the minimum requirements: 

• 5-year-olds
• 40 pounds
• 38 inches (although this will be increasing to 43" and some boosters have already moved to that minimum)

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Your child has exceeded the height or weight limit on their front-facing seat. 

The first sign it’s time to move is when your child has outgrown the height or weight limit of your forward-facing seat. If they hit either maximum, you can either find a front-facing car seat that has higher limits (if there’s one available) or move into a high-back booster. Take note of your height and weight limits, so you’re ready the minute your child reaches one of the maximums!  

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The seat belt fits properly when your child is in the booster seat. 

In order for your child to move into a high-back booster, their seat belt must sit properly on their body. As we mentioned earlier, the high-back booster should help position the belt correctly, however, if your child is too small or has the wrong proportions, it may still fit improperly.  

The shoulder belt should lie snug across the middle of the shoulder and chest. It shouldn’t touch their neck or face. The lap belt should be tight around the thighs, not the stomach. If the seat belt can’t fit this way on your child, you may need to try a different high-back booster.

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Your child is mature enough to sit properly in the booster. 

A seat belt can only keep your child safe when it’s positioned as we mentioned above. That means that your child has to sit upright in their car seat the whole trip. Not every child is mature enough to do this. If your child will play with the seat belt, slouch in their seat, or regularly sleep in the car seat, a high-back booster may not be the best choice just yet! 

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If you’re still unsure of what choice you should make for your child, book a consult with one of our Child Passenger Safety Technicians to get expert advice on your unique situation. 

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Are High Back Booster Seats Safe?

Absolutely! Like any other car seat stage, this one is essential! Like all other car seats on the market, any booster seat sold has to pass the same high safety standards to be on the market. Any car seat or booster seat installed correctly, buckled correctly, and used at the right time for your child is safe, so don’t fret about which one is safe and which aren’t. They’re all suitable for your kiddos! 

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If your child is ready to move to a booster, here are our favorite booster seats! For a more personalized approach to finding your perfect booster seat, take this quiz. It’ll give you a recommendation specifically suited for your child, vehicle, budget, and lifestyle. 

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Switch to a high-back booster when your child has maxed out the height or weight limits on their forward-facing seat. 

Keeping your child safe is your number one priority. To keep them safe in their seat, ensure that you have them in the safest car seat phase for their age, height, weight, and maturity. For more helpful information like this, head to the Safe in the Seat blog for more essential car seat and vehicle safety advice and education. 

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Think your child may be ready to move on from the booster phase? Don’t move too soon! To help you prepare for the next big step in the car seat journey, read our guide on car seat graduation. 

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