Child safety is the primary concern for parents when traveling with their babies in a car. Often parents are conflicted about whether it's time to switch from a car seat to a booster seat. You might have a hunch that your toddler has outgrown their car seat every time you take them on a drive, especially if your baby is tall and it takes a while to fit them in the car seat. Keep reading to learn when it is suitable to trade the car seat for a booster seat.

When to Use a Booster Seat?

While a car seat uses a five-point harness as a restraint, a booster seat comes with no straps or harnesses and uses the vehicle's seat belt to restrain the child. A child car seat is specifically used for young children up to five or six years old which helps to make sure that they are properly strapped in. A seat belt is not effective as at that age your child is most likely still quite small, making it easy for them to wiggle out from any gaps between the belt.

A booster seat provides sufficient protection for older children since it allows the parent or child to safely position the seat belt across the child's lap with the shoulder strap across their chest. The car seat belts are designed to fit adults, but you can help your child reach the optimum height to ensure they can use the seat belt safely by using the booster seat.

As much as we want our babies to remain small, it is no surprise that they grow fast, and they should learn how to protect themselves in a car. This is why they need to learn how to use seatbelts, and a booster seat provides a smooth transition from the five-point harness.

Types of Booster Seats

There are different types of booster seats available to suit the needs of your child, such as:

Backless Booster Seats

These seats are easy to move from one car to another and can be used in any vehicle as long as they have a seat back high enough to support the child's head. The Clek Olli is a great backless booster seat to look into for ages 6- 12 years.

High-Backed Booster Seats

These seats come with a back attached which provides additional support to the child’s back and head, ensuring they are sitting comfortably during their trip. The Clek OOBR Full Back Booster seat is a great option if you are looking for a high-backed booster, and it even comes with a unique reclining feature!

When Can You Start Using a Booster Seat?

If you’re wondering when is the right time to change the car seat for a booster seat, there is no definite age, but there are some general guidelines you can use to see if your child is ready to use a booster seat.

• Your child weighs at least 40 pounds.
• Your child is at least five years old.
• Your child is able to sit with the seat belt properly fitted across the shoulder and below the hips in the booster seat the entire car ride.

As long as your child meets the minimum requirements stated above, you can easily make the switch from a car seat to a booster seat. However, make sure you always read the manufacturer instructions that come with the booster seat.