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Original poster

Short 12yo still using car seats?

43 replies

EdtheBear · 09/05/2022 06:36

My oldest is 11 and still under 135cm so legally needs to be in a carseat.
Is he likely to be happier, more comfortable with his car seat when he turns 12.

My youngest is close to needing to move up to next seat. I'm trying to figure out do I buy him a new seat now. Or wait until oldest ages out of his.

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 09/05/2022 06:39

If they are in a full back one, I would now swap for just a basic booster seat. At 11 years it’s mainly the height extra they need if shorter so the seatbelt sits in the correct place.

MintyMoocow · 09/05/2022 06:41

You get your 12 yr old to use a car seat???

carefullycourageous · 09/05/2022 06:42

Car seats are net positive if there is an impact, so if they still fit and are comfortable there is no need to make them change.

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LoveSpringDaffs · 09/05/2022 06:42

Judge on his size, not his age. In an accident size is ALL that matters. Dc now 17 (gulp) is very slim (average height) and in a car seat (booster base type) until she was well past 12! She actually preferred it because she could see out better! She said if she can't reach something she uses the step, this is no different! 💁🏻‍♀️

NancyJoan · 09/05/2022 06:50

DS is 13, we probably ditched the car seat a year or so ago. He’s little, and slight, without it the seatbelt was far far too high.

Original poster
EdtheBear · 09/05/2022 06:51

MintyMoocow · 09/05/2022 06:41

You get your 12 yr old to use a car seat???

He's currently 11 and under 135cm so legally needs to be.

I know when he turns 12, he might still be safer in a seat, and coolness shouldn't enter the equation. But we are talking about a kid.
Will he be more comfy with it or not?

OP posts:
Original poster
EdtheBear · 09/05/2022 06:53

Swapping for just a booster might get my best option. Less obvious to pals as he gets bigger.

OP posts:
rainbowandglitter · 09/05/2022 06:55

Is he 11 or 12? Your title says 12 but your text says 11. They don't need a car seat when they hit age 12 or 135cm whichever is first.
Are you sure they're under 135cm, that's very short. My ds was out of a car seat at age 7 or 8.

lljkk · 09/05/2022 06:58

DS didn't stop using carseat (booster) until he was almost 14, he was happy to have better views at window, anyway.

Highback, none of mine used after about 8/9.

JurasicPerks · 09/05/2022 06:58

My two came out of hbb around 10, as their shoulders got uncomfortable, but still needed a booster until closer to 145cm, as they didn't fit the adult seats.
Have a look for 5 point check, and it will show you how to test if the person fits a seat in a car.
Do the right thing for your oldest, then sort the youngest.

Original poster
EdtheBear · 09/05/2022 07:07

He's 11, but tiny, both in height and built. I never really thought about swapping to just a booster for him.

Youngest is 16kg, his seat has 17kg limit. I don't want to buy another HBB if oldest is going to refuse to use his in 6 mths.

OP posts:
carltonscroop · 09/05/2022 07:20

I think swopping to just a booster cushion would be a good idea.

Part of the thinking behind the way the changes were made was to nudge opinion to normalise all DC of primary school age being in a suitable seat or on a booster. And I think it's been pretty successful.

Are you sure they're under 135cm, that's very short

It's not that unusual - about 25th centile for an 11yo and 9th for a 12yo.

I think it was set up like that was to make it OK for large DC to stop using them.

coffeecupsandfairylights · 09/05/2022 07:23

Why can't he just use a booster seat?

Original poster
EdtheBear · 09/05/2022 07:33

coffeecupsandfairylights · 09/05/2022 07:23

Why can't he just use a booster seat?

Because I never really thought about just a booster being an option.
Lots of companies have stopped making them pushing HBB instead. But they might just be the compromise my shorty needs.

OP posts:
reluctantbrit · 09/05/2022 07:50

Well, lots of other countries have a height limit of 150cm or being 12 and older, so I think the height is still in reasonable limit to use a booster. The seatbelt is not that comfortable if you are shorter.

DD was in the end uncomfortable with the shoulders, the seat was too narrow. She ended on the booster for the last 1/2 year or so.

Herejustforthisone · 09/05/2022 07:56

Waits patiently for someone to come along to advocate RF until 14…

Sirzy · 09/05/2022 08:04

Ds is 12.5. He is tall enough not to need a booster now but due to his being so slim the seat belt fits a lot better on him when he is in the booster.

he has gone without for short trips but has said he is much comfier with it for now.

gothereagain · 09/05/2022 08:23

EdtheBear · 09/05/2022 07:07

He's 11, but tiny, both in height and built. I never really thought about swapping to just a booster for him.

Youngest is 16kg, his seat has 17kg limit. I don't want to buy another HBB if oldest is going to refuse to use his in 6 mths.

How old is your youngest?

I'd buy a booster cushion for the eldest.

If the youngest is under 4, I'd buy a seat with a 25kg weight limit. 4 is the youngest they should be out of a harness due to lack of boney hip spurs (seriously) meaning adult seatbelts and ineffective on them.

Original poster
EdtheBear · 09/05/2022 08:35

Youngest is a short 5yo. So HBB is the next move for him.

Neither of my kids have much luck in the height department. Good things come in small packages. Lol!

OP posts:
Original poster
EdtheBear · 09/05/2022 08:41

@Sirzy interesting your 12.5 yo still prefers the HBB, That's exactly what I was wondering about.

I'm sure one of my friends kids preferred the HBB to but I can't remember what height / age she was at the time.

But I'm also thinking about the cool 😎 thing, I know that shouldn't be a factor but ....

OP posts:
ExtraordinaryBehaviour · 09/05/2022 08:46

Herejustforthisone · 09/05/2022 07:56

Waits patiently for someone to come along to advocate RF until 14…

I can never get over the cavalier attitude people have to vehicle saftey. Children are much more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a car crash (its the number 1 cause of death over 1year) and yet people laugh and belittle those doing everything they can to mitigate this risk.

The pp saying 'why is he still in it at 12' it's because he needs to, in fact anyone under 150cm is safer in a booster.

SingingWaffleDoggy · 09/05/2022 08:51

Will the HBB go short enough for the short 5 year old? I have a very tall 4 year old who is still RF in our main car and will remain so until she cannot fit in it safely (yes, I’m one of those!) and have the Axkid bigkid in my DH’s car with the crotch strap to prevent submarining. I don’t know if it’s just this model but she wouldn’t fit in it if she were any shorter

1940s · 09/05/2022 09:15

@ExtraordinaryBehaviour I agree with you... I'm sure their kids would be cool in front of their friends with a severe injury. The least we can do as parents is reduce risk and the correct / legal seat is an absolute basic in my opinion. I'd never swap out of a safe car seat so my child could impress their friends.

Lovelydovey · 09/05/2022 09:27

My 12 year old is just 135cm (and less than 6 stone) and so doesn’t officially need a car seat any more. We’ve compromised that he will still use his car seat on long journeys but that he doesn’t have to use on short journeys, which is when we are most likely to also have his friends in the car.

BertieBotts · 09/05/2022 09:33

It could take ages for your youngest to grow out of his seat so I'd just wait until the last minute for both of them and see where you're at then.

Are you sure it's 17kg? Most UK seats go to 18kg unless it's an i-size one where the weight limit can be variable, but I don't think there were many around a few years ago when you would have bought the one you have.

Another consideration is the age and model of your eldest's seat. If it's around 8-9 years old it might not be that good compared to what's on the market today. You might prefer to just start again. You should also check it for wear and tear to the polystyrene inside.