Highback booster seats versus booster seat/cushions

[Pauline]

Just wondered what your thoughts were on the news that Britax have stopped selling backless booster seats (the sort that are just a plastic seat) and are now having a campaign to use only high back booster seats for older children.

Legally car seats or booster seats/cushions need to be used until a child is 135cm tall (approx. 11- 12 years old) although research says a huge number of children stop using any form of car seat well before that time

Many older children don't like high back booster seats because they see them as babyish, do you think the campaign will mean more people use high back seats or do you think it will mean more older children travelling illegally?

If backless booster seats are withdrawn it would be impossible for me to get three high back booster seats in the back of our car, so it either means walking everywhere and no outings or one child travels without correct restraint.

I'd be interested in your thoughts. :)

[clio0602]

Ds has just turned 10 and is at the height now that he no longer needs any seat. I think he's average height so not sure about the 11 yr age recommendation. He was in a high back booster until 9 then moved to just the cushion type but to be honest I prefer the high back ones anyway and rarely use the cushions x

[Rubybubbles]

my own children are on graco backless ones (which can have a high back) but they go so high, the now fit better with just the booster alone.

My ds is 9 and really wants to come off his seat as most of his friends are, but I keep telling him, he is not tall enough yet:)

I see lots of children who should still be in a 5 point harness not use a seat at all:panic: on school runs/pre-school runs, or not straped in correctly....

[onceinabluemoon]

Aren't they stopping them because they are not as safe as people think they are? I've heard they can slip forward whilst in use when a child leans against the back of the car seat (since inertia reel seatbelts allow movement this is perfectly feasible) and therefore in the event of an accident are not in the correct place to prevent injury to the child sitting on it.

I use the bus, trains etc all the time for outings. Is there no way you could do the same?

PS another thought... how would you fit 3 five-point harness seats in if you have younger children? or two boosters and one five point etc?

[Hebs]

Aren't they stopping them because they are not as safe as people think they are? ?

yes thats what the guy at halfords told me

my son should still be in a booster but he wont use one :blush:
he is 11 and just under the height limit, but surely he isnt "suddendly" going to be ok as soon as he hits 12 (IYSWIM??)

I use normal booster seats (without the backs) for my 4 yrs plus mindees and high back/5 point for younger ones depending on their age/weight

i can honestly see more children NOT being in car seats full stop because of this, :(

[Ripeberry]

They are also MUCH more expensive. Graco high backs are almost £100! But the little booster seats are £10-15.
Yes, there will be less kids in the correct seats, especially over the age of 8yrs + :(

[onceinabluemoon]

They are also MUCH more expensive. Graco high backs are almost £100! But the little booster seats are £10-15.
Yes, there will be less kids in the correct seats, especially over the age of 8yrs + :(

Thats shocking, I cannot believe people would think so little of their child's safety!

Kiddicare has backed booster (http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p(60470)a(1904267)g(16894074)url(http://www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplayA_36_10751_-1_14573_119885_10001_14568%2526rw.cm%253DGoogle%25 2CPPC%252CBooster%2Bseats%2526cm)" title="My Anchor Text" target="_blank">My Anchor Text</a><img src="http://impgb.tradedoubler.com/imp?type(inv)g(16894074)a(1904267))s from £27 up to £140.

I haven't checked out other shops as this was the first one that came up on the search page.

[FussyElmo]

Im assuming they still meet the safety standards :)

Hebs I agree what is about suddenly becoming 12 means you can travel safely.

[PixiePetal]

My own children were on no back boosters quite young as they were tall and in DS case heavy! they are teens now so things changed in the law after they used them anyway. DS was out of his rear facing car seat by 5 1/2 months although it turned forward and still laid back for him. Was meant to do till 4 but out of that by 2 1/2 and onto booster with back and diagonal seat belt as was ok in those days.

I do have new high back booster and 5 point seats for mindees - I don't drive but got them when on offer at ASDA for emergencies - going in DH car on odd occasions to drop off mindees.

There is not one size fits all and there needs to be some thinking about what fits your child best - some children may be tall and skinny so under weight limit or short and chunky :rolleyes: We can only do our best

[kindredspirits]

my son is in a high backed booster at 4 and tbh i bought a nice quality seat (not mega expensive just nice) and don't think i'll need to change it before he turns 11. I like the fact that the seatbelt is in the correct place for his shoulder and because the seatbelt is in a guide he can't pull it down past his shoulder like i used to when i was a kid :blush:

[Alibali]

my ds, 10 in July, uses a booster cushion alone for school run, as it sits between 2 full seats, however the seatbelt is still a bit high for him. Outwith school run (1 mile at 20 mph) he is in a high back booster so the belt sits at the correect height.

[breezy]

mindee of 11 is tiny and on a no back booster seat, she hates it as none of her friends are, theres no way she'd use one with a back on! Her mum is good though, told her it was better to feel silly than be seriously injured or worse in a crash.