Car Seat 101: Differentiating Booster Seats And Child Car Seats

We’ll stop you right there if you think that booster seats and child car seats are the same. Sure, they are indeed vehicle components and are very important for children. But they have similarities and differences that might surprise you.

And guess what? You are in luck, for today, it’s all about finding the difference between child booster seats and child car seats. You will get to find out and learn more and differentiate these two car parts with ease once you finish reading. So let’s get into it.

Getting Into The Basics

A car seat is a specific structure inside your vehicle that carries the weight of a passenger while also granting comfort and safety.

There are numerous types of car seats, each highlighting a set of features and functions. There are regular seats, child booster seats, all-in-ones, and so much more

The Contenders: Booster Seats And Child Car Seats

So now, let us find out what separates booster seats and car seats to end such a debate once and for all.

Booster Seats

A booster is a seat resting at the back vehicle seat.
It can come with a specialized latch system that keeps it secure during travel. The latch also ensures that the seat does not move during usage.
A booster seat has a feature that allows the passenger to stay in an upright and stationary position.
Booster seats are ideal for protection against side impact.
Booster seats work best for passengers at least five years old without having to slouch, lean over, and play with the belt.

Child Car Seats

A child car seat comes with a harness system – usually four or five – that works to secure the passenger to the car seat.
Child car seats, just like booster seats, can keep your passenger in an upright position.
You can customize child car seats with additional features to adjust how you want to secure or protect the child.
Child car seats also come with a feature where you can customize them to provide postural adjustment for the passenger.
You can convert most child seats into booster seats.

So, Which One Should I Be Using?

There are a couple of determinants you must consider to know what seat you should be using. Check them out below.

For Booster Seats

The passenger must be mature enough not to mess around with the seat. This matter means that there should be no slouching, leaning, and no playing around with the booster seat overall.
In general, boosters begin at four years of age. But you may choose to use one once your kid reaches the age of five.
Your passenger should be at least thirty-five to forty pounds.

For Child Car Seats

Check your passenger’s height and weight before placing them on the seat.
Ensure that the harness would not make your little passenger uneasy or uncomfortable at any time.
You can opt for an all-in-one seat which is one of the most recommended seats on the market. And as you can set it front or back facing. Plus, you can convert it into a booster in the future.

Are You Still Confused? Don’t Worry One Bit

It can get very confusing when it comes to the world of cars and car seats. And a lot of car owners have a hard time finding which one is which.

To make things less complicated than they should be, a booster seat is a seat you set up on top of a pre-existing car seat. The item holds the passenger in place, but it is the vehicle that does the restraining. And a car seat is a restraint that comes with a built-in harness system.

Things To Take Note of When Using Seats

Never allow your passengers to slouch any moment. The action can be a hazard to passenger safety and security. In addition, slouching causes a myriad of problems – the belt will get loose, the passenger will be prone to impact from accidents, and so much more.
Also, setting up the harness with care leaves no risk of the child submarining. Submarining is where a child tends to slide from under and off of the restraint.
A well-secured passenger in a seat is bound to be a lot safer and injury-free should a crash or accident happen.
The harness will do no good if the passenger is not sitting properly.
Never use a car seat that is more than five years old. The item might have been through a couple of accidents, improper usage, and so on. It might even have some missing parts, which can make it more dangerous.
Always refer to the instructions given by your car seat manufacturer.
Every car seat is unique in its term. So not all of them will easily fit into your vehicle. It would be wise to test the item first before you hand over your cash.

To Finish Things Off

It is a swell practice to better work on some research before you purchase a type of seat. Doing so will not only allow you to save on some precious cash. But it will also guarantee your passenger’s safety once you get on the road and here are more tips to avoid a car accident.