Confusion over booster seat for DS1 (7 and pretty tall/big)

[tutu100]

DS1 is 140 cms tall and weighs 5 st 10lbs. I believe that legally he is now able to travel without a booster seat. We had to move him out of a highbacked booster about 6 months ago as the height that he had to have the head rest at meant rear visibility was obstructed. Since then he has just had a booster seat. Problem now is he has quite a big bum and he is uncomfortable between the two arms of his seat.

So I was wondering if anyone else had any experience of what to do at this point. I want to keep him in a booster for as long a possible as I feel the seat belt fits him better in our car with a booster. I have found a basic car seat that has no arms IYSWIM, but reviews pan them saying they are not great for safety, but is that becuase they don't support the head? Presumably they are the same as the current booster seat we are wedging him into.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated please.

[lljkk]

DD is 144 cm and still uses a booster (not high back, though). My rule of thumb is to use them until 5'1" which is a fair bit taller yet. Sorry I can't help with the big bum problem.

[ouryve]

DS1 is a similar height and we can only have a high backed booster in our car up to 135cm (some cars are different, so check yours). he was also unable to sit back properly in one because his shoulders were too wide.

He fits the seatbelts in some cars, but not ours, so we've bought him a booster cushion to sit on so that it doesn't cut across his neck. I know these are getting harder to buy because manufacturers aren't selling them any more because people were using them instead of high backed boosters for quite young children, but it's better than wearing a seatbelt incorrectly for an older child.

[lljkk]

You could read the relevant chapter in Freakanomics which basically says that a simple booster (not high back) is as good as any other style safety seat, and that's for age 2+.
I think just do what works for you, OP.

[TruthSweet]

A Diono Monterey fits children up to 63" & 120lb (5' 3" or 160cm and 8st 8lb or 55kg) plus the shoulder wings increase out to 20" wide. That might be a good option to go for.