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Buying Booster Seats for Energetic Toddlers

You may have heard all about baby car seats and how they can help protect your baby from harm. But when you take your toddler out shopping for the best baby seat for her, and see that she's too big for them, what do you do? Not give up and go home, certainly! For toddlers, booster seats provide just the same amount of protection as infant seats do for babies... and you definitely need one of these, especially if your little tyke is the kind who just can't leave daddy or mommy alone to drive in peace!

Experienced parents know that kids are just like that... sometimes they can't keep their hands off interesting things, or stop talking and sit still exactly when they're told. This can get stressful at home, but even much more stressful in the car! Young parents, especially young professionals, tend to be worrisome and high-strung... and toddlers just love taking advantage of this! One technique to getting them to sit still, snug and safe in place is to buy them comfortable booster seats.

How do you know when your child has outgrown infant car seats and is ready for the "big kids' chair"? He or she has to be:

1. Younger than 8 years old and smaller than 4 feet and 9 inches
2. Unable to sit with knees bent over the edge of your car/vehicle's seat without slouching
3. Unable to sit with his or her back straight against your car/vehicle's back cushion
4. About 40-80 pounds or over 40 inches, which makes him or her too large for a convertible infant seat

There are three types of these seats: the belt-positioning booster, the high-back booster, and the shield booster. The first type relies on both lap and shoulder belts to secure your child in the seat, and comes in high-back and backless models; this is best for older children. The second type sometimes comes with a five-point harness, which provides your child with full body protection... although once he or she gets too big for it, the harness is removed and replaced with standard lap and shoulder belts, for greater comfort. The third type comes with a removable shield that adds protection to the lap belt.

The most effective booster seats are the forward-facing ones with a full harness. These seats are attached to your car/vehicle's belt system and tether, much like infant seats for younger children. If you do a lot of road traveling with your little one, remember the old adage: "Better safe than sorry."