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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to worry about ds age 4 on a booster seat in middle car seat?

27 replies

heraldgerald · 04/07/2014 21:10

Dh thinks he gets sick less on the booster seat instead of the maxi cos I big car seat. In the middle so he can see out. Aibu to worry this is less safe?

OP posts:
nomdemere · 04/07/2014 21:12

Can you get the full-size car seat in the middle seat? My DS gets very car sick but has been fine since we moved him to the middle seat (in a high-back booster). I wouldn't be comfortable with using a booster seat with no back day-in day-out.

Superchop · 04/07/2014 21:14

Is the middle seat a 3 point seat belt or 2 point (across the waist) ?

Original poster
heraldgerald · 04/07/2014 21:20

Thank you for responses

It's a 3 point

Why wouldn't you be comfortable non de mere? I agree but I'm not sure if it's an intuitive feeling or based on fact

And it's for driving to f France

OP posts:
sanfairyanne · 04/07/2014 21:21

middle seat is safest seat usually
why are you worried and why not use a full seat there?

Igggi · 04/07/2014 21:23

Tricky one - middle is safest seat but high back obviously gives more protection than a booster.. Don't know how you'd balance it out..

RiverTam · 04/07/2014 21:24

my instinct would be that it's less safe as there's nothing between them and the windscreen. But that may not be the case in actual fact.

Can you not still have the big seat in the middle - more comfy, if nothing else?

Debs75 · 04/07/2014 21:24

booster seats are less safer than high back boosters, especially in side collisions. The booster is just making him higher for the seat belt and I feel it doesn't offer any real protection, you could just sit them on a firm cushion, which of course you wouldn't.

KirjavaTheCat · 04/07/2014 21:25

Backless booster seat safety concerns.

Original poster
heraldgerald · 04/07/2014 21:25

Can't get full size one on the middle seat and it rocks about alot

Sorry for brevity packing car right now

Worried about not using the high back seat dh says the high back is just for looks not safety

OP posts:
SecretNutellaFix · 04/07/2014 21:25

Is he heavy enough to go onto a highback booster?

junkfoodaddict · 04/07/2014 21:28

Middle seat is always preferred by car safety experts. A high back booster seat is better than just a simple booster cushion. This is because a high back gives better side protection as well as an adjuster to allow the seatbelt to fit properly.
I have a friend whose son was aged 3 in a booster cushion. Still at 6 the seatbelt cuts into his neck and he often loops the belt under his arm so he is only protected across the stomach. (Siad friend also believes ERF is dangerous because a child can break their legs!?!?!?)
If the middle is best for your child, most stage 1 car seats will fit the middle seat as long as there is no buckle crunch, no sideways movement and of course a 3-point seatbelt.
Whatever you decide, one thing I will say, DON'T choose a cushion. Get the high back booster. I have known kids to moan and groan, but I'd rather they whinge and throw a strop than put their lives at risk.

junkfoodaddict · 04/07/2014 21:30

15kg is the mimimum for a booster cushion AND high back booster seat with adult seat-belt but the high-backs with harness (9 mths/9kg - 36kg/11years) will accomodate the harness being used up to 18kg usually; check the manufacturers guidance.
My DS aged 2 is only a kg away from 15kg but there is no way on this planet he will go into a stage2/3 highback booster seat until he's outgrown the harness.

CharlesRyder · 04/07/2014 21:31

Is it just 3 of you?

If so, the non-driving adult could also sit in the back and take the headrest off the passenger seat. That way DS would get a clearer view of the horizon (which I think is the key to reducing sickness?).

Original poster
heraldgerald · 04/07/2014 21:31

Wow thank you mn and Kirjava that really really made my mind up- no backless car seats!!!!! Absolutely using the high backed one. But in the middle. Thanks again

OP posts:
sanfairyanne · 04/07/2014 21:33

why wont a high back booster fit there if it fits elsewhere?
highback is better than booster - boosters are banned anyway in europe i think

Original poster
heraldgerald · 04/07/2014 21:47

Coz dh trying to fit all the camping stuff apparently

OP posts:
sanfairyanne · 04/07/2014 21:50
Hmm best google if 4 year olds can use just backless boosters in france - i think not tbh so then your dh will have to rejig his argument or the camping gear
Hellokittycat · 04/07/2014 22:10

Sorry to hijack but some of you seem to know lots about car seats.
My 8 yr old is on a backless booster in the middle back seat. Reason being is that it would be quite a struggle to fit 3 high back seats across the back.
I am nervous of him being in just a booster seat but by husband feels that the 2 high back booster seats would offer him the same side protection as having a high back booster himself..., I can't find info on this anywhere though. Does anyone know if this would be the case??

hmmmwhatnow · 04/07/2014 23:40

Ditto I'm worried about this we just worked out we can't fit DD1s high back booster plus DD2s toddler group 2 (?) Seat plus a baby seat for dd3 across the back.

I'm not happy about DD1 (4) being on a simple booster but not sure what choice we have.

Igggi · 05/07/2014 07:54

"High back is for looks not safety" er, one of the daftest things I've read on here, and I've read plenty!

Tbh if I had 3dcs I would buy a car with space for 3 in the back, it's just one of the costs you have to factor in when deciding you can afford a third.

I regularly travelled in an estate car boot as a child, doesn't mean that is ok to do now.

hmmmwhatnow · 05/07/2014 09:12

And if you didn't decide?

We didn't plan DD3, I also didn't plan for DH business to go into freefall so our income is slashed 1 day after I delivered her.

Perhaps I should have her adopted to someone who can afford to swap their car at the drop of a hat Hmm

lljkk · 05/07/2014 09:18

@Hellokittykat, I had 7+yo in backless booster in middle seat, my (small for age) 8yos wouldn't fit comfortably in a backed booster. We don't drive a huge amount though. Low mileage was a factor in my risk assessment.

snoggle · 05/07/2014 09:25

We have a car which fits 3 across the back, as in its an mov with 3 separate seats. And when all the seats were originally put in they fit.

But it's when you have to adjust the seat back height as the child grows, the wings of the seat also get wider and now they are all colliding and wedged together.
I don't believe there are many wider cars than mine.

passmethewineplease · 05/07/2014 09:27

We have my dd4 in a high backed booster seat, britax kidplus to be accurate. It's a three point belt. Seems ok to me. I thought the middle seatbelts was actually the safest as it is also away from any side impact crashes?

sanfairyanne · 05/07/2014 09:30

rear facing baby seat in middle, high backs either side
rear facing is better anyway