when to switch to a booster seat over a toddler seat??

My child is and always has been "big for her age.." she is currently 40lbs (as of a few weeks ago) and over 42" tall (measured back in November) she is still in her toddler seat. My question is, when should o switch her to a booster seat instead? She will be 4 in less than a month. I'm in no rush to do one over the other, just wanna make sure I'm utilizing the correct seat with her measurements. I know every state is different, but would it be safer for her to be in a booster seat now? She's bigger than most kids her age and is the same size as most 5-6+yr olds! :/ T.I.A!

a seat with five point harness is safer. My daughter's seat harnesses to 45lbs, so check your seat's max limits, she may be just fine staying in it for a few more months!! As for height, the general rule is once their ears hit the top of the shell they are too tall for the seat, or if the highest straps are below their shoulders.
My daughter turns 5 in May, weighs 43lbs and I JUST put her in a high back booster, because the straps were getting too short.

I'd keep her in a 5pt harness as long as able. A lot of seats go up to 65lbs and like 50ish inches or something.

oh and she doesn't sound big for her age, lol my daughter was 40lbs at 4 years old and is not big for her age.

It's not as much about size as it is about maturity. Even if the lap and shoulder belts fit properly, she needs to have the maturity to sit properly in her seat at all times without fidgeting. Most kids aren't ready for a booster until 5-6 or older.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Household 6:</b>" It's not as much about size as it is about maturity. Even if the lap and shoulder belts fit properly, ... [snip!] ... maturity to sit properly in her seat at all times without fidgeting. Most kids aren't ready for a booster until 5-6 or older."</blockquote>



Good point! Thx  

<blockquote><b>Quoting Ivana, expecting #3!:</b>" oh and she doesn't sound big for her age, lol my daughter was 40lbs at 4 years old and is not big for her age. "</blockquote>



Yes, she def is big for her age.

My son is the same size and he's still REAR facing.

Kids should be kept in the safest seat available for their age. A child that size could be rear facing or forward with a 5pt harness (RF is safest at all ages).

Legally she can sit in a booster as of her birthday (4yrs AND 40lbs) in most states, but we all know following legal minimums are not the safest way to go---most states still allow you to turn an infant at 12months AND 20 lbs!