https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:04:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2844919 Wed, 12 Sep 2018 11:21:42 +0000 birdofafeather 2844919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: this is what we do with DD1 (5.5 and tall and 50+ lbs) with 3 across. she can buckle and unbuckle all the way and we turn around and just tighten and loosen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2844617 Tue, 11 Sep 2018 05:29:51 +0000 catgirl 2844617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The car seat lady used to say 4 (along with height/weight/maturity) but she now also says at least 5. </p> [attach=6706/18/pevzts.600x450.image.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2844601 Mon, 10 Sep 2018 21:05:07 +0000 ShootingStar 2844601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We switched DS at 4.5. Crazy car seat lady says at least 4 years old and 40 pounds and 40 inches, and mature enough to sit correctly. DS hit all of those criteria. He’s very good about sitting correctly and buckling himself. And it’s awedome not having to buckle him. Also, from what I read the belt positioner is just as safe as the harnessed seat as long as they meet the requirements and sit correctly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2844254 Sat, 08 Sep 2018 16:49:45 +0000 mamabolt 2844254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just switched our 6 yo (4’ 52 lbs) and I kind of hate it. She could buckle herself previously but now can’t reach to buckle and it’s awkward for us especially in DHs sedan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2844006 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 14:38:42 +0000 pinkcupcake 2844006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m keeping my 6.5yo in a 5-point harness booster until she reaches the maximum height and weight limits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2844005 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 14:33:22 +0000 misolee 2844005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughters almost six and in harnessed booster. She’s on small side so she will be there for awhile. But...she knows how to buckle and unbuckle herself. She’s been doing it since 4. It helps bc after our third was born, she was moved to the third row. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2844004 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 14:23:27 +0000 Foodnerd81 2844004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 5 year old is still harnessed (and will be for a while as she’s small, pretty immature, and not a rule follower). But I will say many many of her friends have already switched to seat belt booster. I know HB tends to be on the much more conservative side for car seat stuff- in a good way, but I was definitely one of very few who kept my kids rear facing after two. </p> <p>Anyway, what I was going to say is I realized that I can turn around in my drivers seat and unbuckle my daughters harness with one hand- I don’t loosen the straps, just release the buckles. Then she can climb out through the passenger side if we are parked on the street or something. Would that help, at least for drop offs? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2843990 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 13:01:53 +0000 KT326 2843990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We changed from a harness to the seat belt around 5.5. He did great and it was so much easier getting both kids in the car because he could buckle himself in. We recently took the back off of his booster (he is 6.5) because the head rest wasn't staying up where it needed to be and he is tall enough for the seat belt to be in the correct position. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2843976 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 12:35:21 +0000 Mommy Finger 2843976@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in the exact same boat as you. Same age, same considerations. We rented a seat belt booster when we were on vacation this year (long story) and he did great. I'm not necessarily in a huge rush to make the change but I do believe he's mature enough to handle it. He can buckle and unbuckle the harness just fine and I'm wondering if the seat belt might be harder since his seat is actually pretty wide so it might be awkward to reach the seat belt part. I figured I would test it out soon as I can always go back if need be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2843974 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 12:24:47 +0000 bhbee 2843974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We changed at 6. She’s a good rule follower and meets the requirements. I did have to buy a certain seat for my 3rd row to get the seatbelt to fit right. But it is a total lifesaver to have her buckle herself back there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2843971 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 11:57:30 +0000 Mrsbells 2843971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD stayed in her convertible seat until she was ready for a seatbelt booster </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2843963 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 11:26:50 +0000 catgirl 2843963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This might be helpful to you:</p> <p><a href="https://csftl.org/harness-or-booster/#comments" rel="nofollow">https://csftl.org/harness-or-booster/#comments</a></p> <p>Basically 5 years old and meeting the requirements of the seat are the absolute minimum, at that point it will depend on the maturity of the child (maturity offen puts kids between 6-7 before being ready for a booster), and the needs of the vehicle - such as looch's example or in the case of three across having to buckle a booster can be very challenging. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2843957 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 10:49:45 +0000 looch 2843957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is in a harnessed booster at almost 8 years of age because the car that we have makes it impossible to use a belted booster. My husband didn't believe me and he was sweating in the car trying to make it work, but he finally gave up and we are still harnessing...it's actually easier for him to buckle using the harness.</p> <p>My son is complaining, but he sees that he can't buckle the belt in that kind of seat, so he is dealing with it. I am extremely conservative when it comes to car seats, and I feel like there needs to be a weight consideration. My son just hit 60 pounds now, so I would be okay with a belted booster if we could make it work in our car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/harnassed-booster-vs-seat-belt-booster#post-2843955 Thu, 06 Sep 2018 10:45:59 +0000 polkaspots 2843955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like this is a stupid question, but help a mama out...</p> <p>LO is almost 6 and in a Graco harnessed booster. I can switch it to a seat belt, but I’m not sure of the guidelines around making this change. I’d like to because he’s using the car rider lane at school and it’s be nice if he could buckle and unbuckle without assistance. </p> <p>When did you make this change with your LO? I’m sure there are guidelines for each type of seat too, I really need to dig out our car seat manual, but curious to hear what others have done and what considerations I should keep in mind. </p> <p>Thank you! </p>