*I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Chicco. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating. Opinions are my own.
We take car seat and booster seat safety and education, very important around here. I have my daughter still in a booster seat and will be for a while, even though she is now 7. She is super tiny for her age! I also have a two-year old (who is SUPER tiny for his age), still in rear facing car seat and will be for a while! I am always trying to keep up on the safety and education that goes with booster and car seats.
My two-year-old is using a Chicco car seat. I absolutely trust it and know that I am keeping my little one safe, while he is riding in the car. This car seat grows with my child, so I am in love with it. I am going to have to purchase the Chicco KidFit Booster Seat for my daughter, just because I really like the Chicco Brand.
The Chicco KidFit Booster Seat grows with your child too, while protecting them in the car. Booster seats are a crucial part of transitioning a child out of a car seat. Our transition from a car seat to a booster seat was pretty easy. My daughter was obviously ready for one and wanted to be like her big brother, who had already been in a booster seat for a while now. She was SO excited!
Due to drastic rule and regulation guideline changes, it can be hard to stay up to date
with the correct usage of booster seats! I am constantly checking up on guidelines and I ask my friends too, if I am still doing it correctly. I always want to make sure my kids are the safest possible, when in my car.
Why Choose The Chicco KidFit Booster Seat?
It is always important to do your homework when shopping for a car seat OR booster seat. I always look for all the pros (and cons) and I shop around. I also ask my friends and family members with babies. Chicco is the maker of the #1-rated KeyFit Infant Car Seat and NextFit Convertible
Car Seat, so when I found out they were launching a new booster, I was intrigued. We already used Chicco, so we know the brand and love them already.
One thing I have noticed with Chicco, is that they make the whole car seat/booster seat experience an easy one. They are user-friendly and easy to figure out. The KidFit Booster features LATCH attachment with SuperCinch one-pull tightener to help keep the seat in place for easier in/out for kids. I love that feature! Also, if you have super messy kids (who doesn’t???), then Chicco makes it easy to clean up those gross messes with the removable, machine-washable seat
pad and armrest covers. Genius!
Kids LOVE cup holders. The Chicco KidFit Booster Seat has space-saving cup holders that fold away when not in use and are removable for easy cleaning! Another awesome, ‘save-mom-some-major-time‘ feature that I adored!
With the addition of the KidFit Booster Seat, Chicco now offers the full range of car seats
to accommodate every age and stage! I really liked hearing this good news!
Most Parents Don’t Know They Are Using The Wrong Car Seat!
I found the below infographic EXTREMELY helpful in figuring out whether your child is using the right car seat/booster seat. Know the ages AND stages!!!
Click Infogragphic To Make Larger
Helpful Booster Seat Safety Tips
‘Big Kids’ Need Car Seats Too!!
Once your big kids grows out of their convertible car seat, they still need a booster seat. Start out with a booster seat that has a back on it with head rest. The head rest is very important because it will help protect your child in a crash. When it is time for a backless booster seat, make sure your child is in position where a headrest is built-in to ensure continued head and neck protection. That usually means a middle seat is not a good option.
My Child Does Not Need A Booster Anymore
Are you sure about that? Keep in mind that seat belts were built with adults in mind, not children! This is parents BIGGEST mistake when it comes to booster seats. They think their child just does not need one anymore, when they DO! A booster seat is the ONLY way to make sure that seat belt fits your child properly.
How Does The Seat Belt Fit?
In order to have a proper fit in a booster seat, the seat belt needs to fit properly. This is probably a no brainer for many people,but you would be surprised how often this is over looked! In order to fit correctly the lap belt will lie flat across your child’s upper thighs, not across the soft abdomen, and the shoulder belt will cross over the middle of his or her shoulder. Also make sure you child keeps the seat belt where it needs to be. I don’t know how many times I turned around to look at my daughter and her seat belt was pulled loose because she thought it was uncomfortable! That would have defeated the WHOLE purpose of her even wearing a seat belt!
My Child Is Too Old For the Convertible Car Seat!
Most children, younger than 5 years old, are not old or mature enough to sit without a full harness. Since you are the parent and know your child the best, don’t make the switch harness to booster seat until YOU are confident your child will sit still and safely, without the full harness.
It Doesn’t Matter, I Am Only Driving Down The Street
Oh YES it DOES matter! Your child’s safety should ALWAY ALWAYS ALWAYS matter!! Never not buckle them in or have them properly buckled up in their car seat or booster seat because you feel you are only ‘driving down the street’!! ANYTHING could happen at anytime. BE PREPARED and do it right!!!! 61 percent of crashes involving children occurred 10 minutes or less from home!!
Educate Your Child Too!
Your child probably asks lots of questions, I know mine do! Sometimes we get frustrated because those questions just keep going and going, LOL. But, it is very important to educate them too, about seat belt safety. If they complain of a seat belt, booster seat or convertible car seat, seat belt being uncomfortable, of course go look and make sure it is correctly installed/on. But if it is and they still complain, they need to be told why it is so important to wear a seat belt/sit in a booster seat/sit in a convertible car seat. . Set the expectation that just like a helmet is needed for riding a bike, a booster seat (etc..), is needed for riding in the car.
If You Are Ever Unsure
If you are ever unsure of a car seat, convertible car seat, booster seat or installation of any of the mentioned, certainly seek the advice of someone who would know, like a local child passenger safety technician.
Share These Safety Tips!
I hope these safety tips helped you out or if you are not in need of these safety tips I hope that you will share them with family and friends who could use them! You can not only help ensure a child’s safety, but you could also help save a life (or two!). So feel free to share this helpful article! Thank you!
Connect with Chicco on Twitter and Facebook Too!
Did you find this article helpful? Why or why not?
Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty says
Such important information – our son LOVES his booster seat, which is great since he’ll be in it for a long time!
April Decheine says
Great tips, my daughter has a four month and researched her car seat and when to turn it around. They did not have this sort of education when my kids were little.
Debbie L. says
Very good post – I often wonder what is the right size and age to move kids into the nest size seat.
Amanda O. says
Car seat safety is so important! I always check safety ratings before I purchase a new one.
Chrysa says
I love the easier in/out feature. That was always such a pain when my nephew was still in the car seat.
Shell says
I’ll have to take a look at how the seat belt is fitting on my kids. Thanks for the info!
Ann Bacciaglia says
This is a very helpful article. It has been many years since i have had to think about car seat safety. It is so important to stay up to date on the latest laws.
Chrystal @ Nevermore Lane says
The graphic is very helpful. I know a lot of parents have questions about their carseats this makes it easy to understand.
Debbie Denny says
This is great info. Very important to know.
[email protected] says
I still have 6.5 year old in a car seat. And I am glad that I do because he had no injuries when someone hit my car from behind.
Jeanine says
This is really great and SO important. So many just don’t care or take the time to read up on information and safety for kids. Sharing this for sure.
Rosey says
We’re about to switch to the booster function of our car seat. I’ve never used a booster before, so I’m happy to have read the lap belt doesn’t go over the abdomen. Maybe it’d have been evident when I hooked the seat up, but in my mind I had it going like I wear mine!
Veronica says
Well I am glad I don’t have to worry about this anymore 🙂 The kids are 13 and 17, but I remember how I used to worry about this when they were little
Crystal says
My kids will probably be in high school before they meet all of the requirements to get out of boosters. But I’m adamant that they have the proper protection. Even if they do have to do calculus homework while sitting in it.
Theresa says
You really explained everything so well! My kids are a bit too old for a car seat, but my niece is expecting in 10 weeks and I think this would be very helpful information for her. I’ll be sharing the link with her!
Jenni E. {Sweet Pennies from Heaven} says
We’re big fans of Chicco too! I passed the older seat off to my niece for her little boy and am excited to get the new booster for my son. They really make great products!
Lisa Bristol says
This is a fantastic post. I will share this great information with my friends with kids.
Mary O'Malley says
This was very good information. I appreciate the detail you went in to as well. Thank you for sharing it.
Amy D says
I wish my kids car seats had remove able arm covers too! They are always spilling things sad getting sticky.
Felicia says
This is so important! Thank you so much for educating and making everyone aware.
Catherine S says
This is really great information. Car Seats have sure upgraded since my son was little.
Christie says
Thank you for the great safety tips! Booster seats keep changing, it’s important to stay on top of the latest
Liz Mays says
It’s helps to know the age/weight threshold for these seats. It’s good to be careful with your kids’ seating arrangements.
Nicole says
I printed out the graphic for hubby. He has no idea why the kiddo needs to sit in a booster still even though he’s only 4… smh
Pam says
I love that this booster seat has cupholders! My kids would have loved that when they used one.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Here in Ma, it goes by weight, not age. So next summer, even though my little guy will be 8, he is still going to be in a booster because he’s a peanut. Unless he has a huge growth spurt.
Krystal says
Great, great post! Knowing when to move up a size and how to install a booster seat is so important.
Jaime says
I love the graphic with this. My son is in a convertible car seat, and he’ll be in that seat for a while. I didn’t realize the age requirements for the booster seats until recently.