When has a child outgrown a booster seat?

[Karana]

My 8-year old (9 years, on the 30th!) DD has appeared to have a growth spurt. I need to search for the manual for our booster seat, but I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps she has outgrown it. Weight wise, I think she's OK, because I'm pretty positive it goes to at least 80 pounds, if not 100, and she's not even 70 pounds yet. But her head is definitely above the top of her booster seat. Not completely, but a good chunk of it, if that makes sense.

I haven't measured her recently, but I'm fairly confident in saying that she is not 4'9"... which I know is one of the guidelines for when she is ready for a regular seat belt.

Until I can find the manual, are there any other guidelines I can use to see if she really has outgrown her booster seat?

TIA

[liljepp]

On most car seats and boosters I think there is a tag with the ranges for that seat. Did you check for that? I think mine both have them.

[momtonathanandtwins]

Backless boosters, I believe don't quote me because I have not researched boosters yet, do not have a height requirement so it might be an option for you if you feel your child is not ready for an adult seat.

[princess]

I don't know the official guidelines, but for a booster with a back, it isn't safe once their ears are above the back. At that point, if you still want them in a booster, use a backless one. That is what our ped told us.

[ladym]

I don't know the official guidelines, but for a booster with a back, it isn't safe once their ears are above the back. At that point, if you still want them in a booster, use a backless one. That is what our ped told us.

Ditto!

[Karana]

Thanks, everyone!

I checked the labels on the booster seat (genius! can't believe I didn't think of that! LOL), and it's actually only good until 4'4", which I bet she is awfully close to, but I'll have to check when she comes home from school.

I think we'll be looking for a backless booster for her.

In the meantime, we might switch boosters with our girls, because the other one is good until 4'6", so even if it's only for a couple of weeks, it would be safer for her.

I think DD will actually be quite happy to be moved to a backless booster. She's a good sport about being in her booster seat, but sometimes she wonders why her friends don't have to be in one but she does. That's what you get when your kids are almost 9, I guess!

[ctrcar]

What kind of booster is she in now? Some of the boosters with backs convert to backless so you might be able to just remove the back if you have that kind.

[Karana]

What kind of booster is she in now? Some of the boosters with backs convert to backless so you might be able to just remove the back if you have that kind.

One is a Graco, the other is... er... can't remember.
But they don't convert to backless, that much I know. Not without the use of a chainsaw, anyway! LOL

Thanks for the suggestion though!

[ctrcar]

If your Graco one is the Turbobooster, it does convert to a backless.

[Karana]

No, I double-checked. It is a solid, one-piece, molded piece of plastic. There is absolutely no way for it to convert without taking a saw to it. :)

Same with the other one, which is apparently manufactured by Dorel.

At least the backless boosters aren't overly expensive. :)