Booster Seats And Sleep: How To Prevent Sideways Slump!

When kids fall asleep in a booster, they still need to stay upright in their booster! Avoid products like these surround pillows-here’s why, and how to keep them safely upright instead!
-Consider putting them back into a highback booster seat, which provides head and torso support.
-Teach them to look up when sleepy so that their head falls straight back onto the vehicle head restraint and their body stays upright.
-If desired, allow them to hug a large pillow in front of them over their safely fitted seatbelt. The pillow can easily be thrown aside and allow the child to unbuckle and exit quickly in an emergency.

[@sophiethewestie]

Hi Emily, we have a KidFit Zip Plus high back booster for my 5-year-old. This high back booster's backrest sits 90 degrees from the seat with no recline, so when he falls asleep, he slumps forward almost with his face down to his knees which I find alarming. The rear seat of the car does allow me to recline by a couple of inches, but the booster sits 90 degrees. I'm trying to decide whether to put a small wrapped-up towel under the front of the seat to allow the booster to recline or to use the retractor shoulder belt to "lock" the belt in position to keep him in the booster. What do you think?

[@countrykidscarseatsafety]

@@sophiethewestie Hi there! That sounds frustrating. Neither of those options would be a safe idea, if the booster is reclined the child can slip down under the lap belt, and locking it is not necessary for a booster rider.
A few recommendations:
1. Is he able to go back into a harnessed seat at his age? One of the criteria for using a booster is the ability to stay upright in their belt, even if they fall asleep. He may benefit from a harness til he’s a bit older.
2. Teach him to look up at the ceiling when sleepy! That can help him stay upright.
3. Consider a different booster with deeper side wings for more support.

[@sophiethewestie]

@@countrykidscarseatsafety Thank you, I appreciate your feedback. We're going back to the 5-point harness until he's older and can stay upright when he falls asleep.

[@countrykidscarseatsafety]

@@sophiethewestie I would say that’s a wise choice!