Car seats

[juggajagga]

At what age can a child go into a high back booster with just a seatbelt? I think the weight is from 33lb but is there an age? Can't find on google!

Around 3

age isn't relevant, its all about weight (and height to a lesser extent)

your existing car seat should say its maximum weight for 5 point harness - mine is 18kg (about 40lbs i think). They can then go with a seatbelt. for most kids this is around age 4.

in my case, DC1 was 6, DC2 and DC3 were 5 and I expect DC4 will be closer to 4/4.5 before hitting the weight.

to add - it's safer to stay in the lower group car seat as long as weight allows. so although the guideline is 'age 4' mine stayed in 5 point until they reached the upper limit for their seat.

A child should only use a 3 point belt when they can be trusted to sit correctly in the seat at all times. This means keeping the belt over their shoulder, not pulling it off, not leaning towards the centre of the car, not slumping low in the seat so the lap portion comes up their tummy etc. The vast majority of young children cannot sit still enough and despite the design of the seats, belts often end up incorrectly positioned. If they are not properly in the seat the belt may not restrain them, or at worst actually injure them in the event of an accident.

Most 5-point harnesses go up to 18kg, so it makes sense to keep them in a 5 point harness to at least this weight. However, there are now an increasing number of seats available where the 5 point harness stays up to 25kg before the seat is converted to use the three point belt.

Remember that the legal standards are the minimum, not a "target" age, weight or size.

(FWIW we rear faced until 5.5, 5 point harness until 6.5)