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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To keep DD 135cm on a booster seat?

34 replies

blackteasplease · 27/03/2017 14:32

Posting for traffic, sorry, and slightly a TAAT. More "inspired" by a thread...

DD is aged 8 and 135cm.

I've looked up the new car seat rules. She normally sits on a backless booster seat.

What I'm not sure is at what point it becomes more dangerous to sit on the seat than not? Should I be taking her off it now? Or if not, when?

I did try to look this up on lie!

OP posts:
glenthebattleostrich · 27/03/2017 14:35

DD is 136cm and she's still in a high back booster.

RueDeDay · 27/03/2017 14:38

135cm is the minimum, but 150cm is recommended... I'd keep her on the booster.

Smurfpoo · 27/03/2017 14:43

Mines 133cm and in a high back booster, they will remain in the booster for as long as i can get away with! Im pleased to hear theres a recommended of 150, i didn't know that. They just don't look right and the seat belt doesn't sit right at that height.

TheOnlyColditz · 27/03/2017 14:46

I took ds2 off the booster when he was struggling to fit his bottom on it

OvO · 27/03/2017 14:50

I wouldn't use a backless booster but certainly would keep using a high back booster. Those backless ones aren't great (and aren't they now stopping the sale of them?)

My 9 and 12 year olds still us HBB as neither are 150 cm yet. In not cruel and when the oldest finishes primary he can stop - won't make him rock up to high school in one!

RhubarbGin · 27/03/2017 14:53

Ds1 s was in a high back until he was 142cm and 10yo and is still on a booster cushion now at 145 and 11yo. If your DD still fits the booster an ms the seat belt is still in the correct position over her shoulder and this then leave her on it, it's by far the most important thing you can do for her safety in the car.

BarbarianMum · 27/03/2017 14:54

I'd keep her in it as long as she'll tolerate it. Ds1 rebelled at 10 even though he wasn't quite 150cm. Annoyingly ds2 then refused his as he is the same height.

Smurfpoo · 27/03/2017 14:58

Ive just realised I'm only a few inches off being the recommended height for a booster. Well thats going to be an interesting discussion as the kids get older Grin

5moreminutes · 27/03/2017 14:59

In most of Europe children legally have to stay on a booster til 150cm or age 12, which ever comes first. A high back is safest but only if she can sit correctly in it (which she probably can at 135cm but not all high backs comfortably seat taller children - my DC2 is broad shouldered and couldn't sit straight in a HBB from about 140cm, though some people have giant seats and either just one child or a giant car.. ).

OvO · 27/03/2017 15:05

Smurf, I'm under the recommended height! Only 148cm.

If they made boosters to take my weight I would totally use one! Then I'd be able to see over the bonnet and the seatbelt wouldn't slice into my neck. Oh the woes of being a short arse. Grin

5moreminutes · 27/03/2017 15:10

But would you be able to reach the pedals OvO ?

OvO · 27/03/2017 15:14

I'm only a passenger, thankfully, 5. But I wouldn't be able to reach, good point - I'd barely manage now! Though I can barely see over the steering wheel so it's really just as well I can't drive! Grin

Vinorosso74 · 27/03/2017 15:14

My 7yo is and 135cm and still in high back booster. I had also been wondering on what to do but she hasn't grown out of it so will keep her in it. I felt she was too young to stop using it.

5moreminutes · 27/03/2017 15:21

OvO in Germany there is a lot of discussion of the weight limits printed on the seats as many 145cm + children are over 30kg, and the general consensus is that whilst they are only tested up to 30/35kg they are safe for anyone who can comfortably sit on/ in them... So you could use a backless booster to fit the seatbelt better if your bottom is small enough!

OvO · 27/03/2017 15:40

Now I'm tempted to try to wedge myself in my DS's seat to see if I fit as I really would like one! I'm a lot more than 35kg though. Might crush the thing.

I'm going to invent something and make millions!

TyrionLannistersShadow · 27/03/2017 15:42

Here in Ireland its 150cm so to me 135cm is too small to be without a booster seat anyway, so yes I would definitely use one.

EwanWhosearmy · 27/03/2017 15:45

My DD has just turned 10, is just under 140cm and is still in a HBB. She will stay in it until she no longer fits it.

Aeroflotgirl · 27/03/2017 16:13

Wow your 12 year old in a high back booster, not old for that now!

Original poster
blackteasplease · 27/03/2017 16:38

Thanks that's really helpful.

OP posts:
OvO · 27/03/2017 16:56

Is that to me, Aero? Yes he's old enough that by law he doesn't need to use it. But he's a waif of a lad (he'd have made an excellent chimney sweep once upon a time) so still fits easily. He's still at primary so just about everyone else is still using a booster of some sort so he's not embarrassed about still using it.

Aeroflotgirl · 27/03/2017 17:20

Ovo are you in the Uk? At 12 they are in secondary school.

OvO · 27/03/2017 17:22

Yes. I'm in Scotland. Usual age to start high school here is between 11.5 and 12.5. Though my DS was deferred so won't start high school until 12y 9m.

MissWimpyDimple · 27/03/2017 17:30

Mine is 145cm and 33kg and still sits on a backless booster. It guides the belt over her lap in the right place and there is no reason for her not to sit on it. Specially in the front. She sits better on it and can see out.

If she is in the back with friends then I don't make them all sit on boosters as they won't fit three in the back so I'm not fanatical about it but I don't think it hurts at all.

MissWimpyDimple · 27/03/2017 17:31

Oh and she is 10.5. I would say the majority of her friends still sit on boosters.

Smurfpoo · 27/03/2017 17:54

oVo yes the seatbelt slicer! Its surprisingly painful and probably part of the reason the kids need to be higher.

If you could invent something that would be great, theres a few sports cars i can't reach the pedals on and the seats don't raise up. It would also be safer for the air bag as your face wouldn't be right next to it.

I think your on to something for us short arses.

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