Child Car Seat Question...

The Mad Rapper · 5 Jul 2010 at 20:07

This is loosely a Motors question, apologies if it should be in GD...

Can anyone recommend a forward facing child's car seat which will accept a child in excess of 18 KG, but which offers a 5 point harness? Maxi-Cosi & Britax seem to force you to use the car seat belt in excess of 18 KG.

Morba · 5 Jul 2010 at 20:14

You mean a booster seat style, rather than full on car seat?

The Mad Rapper · 5 Jul 2010 at 20:20

Morba said:
You mean a booster seat style, rather than full on car seat?

Not a booster seat, no. At the moment he has this:

But it means using the 3 point car seat belt. What I am hoping for is a seat which is suitable for his weight plus a margin for growth, say to 25 KG or so, but which offers a 5 point harness. The problem is that he's almost 2.5 years old, but is in excess of 18 KG, so his previous Maxi-Cosi seat is no good - it's only rated to 18 KG

monkey_boy · 5 Jul 2010 at 21:24

The Mad Rapper said:
This is loosely a Motors question, apologies if it should be in GD...

Can anyone recommend a forward facing child's car seat which will accept a child in excess of 18 KG, but which offers a 5 point harness? Maxi-Cosi & Britax seem to force you to use the car seat belt in excess of 18 KG.

Recaro are the same and their seats are the safest of all the major brands. Why are you looking to change the seat?

Morba · 5 Jul 2010 at 21:37

Fella, we got one of them for my boy and find it more than ok, though he is 5!

The Mad Rapper · 5 Jul 2010 at 22:41

monkey_boy said:
Recaro are the same and their seats are the safest of all the major brands. Why are you looking to change the seat?

Because I'm just concerned he isn't as secure as he could be. I may be being over-protective of course, but I'd just like the peace of mind.

The Mad Rapper · 5 Jul 2010 at 22:42

Morba said:
Fella, we got one of them for my boy and find it more than ok, though he is 5!

Thanks Morba. I know it should last him a while, I'll persevere with it for a bit and see how he gets on. He is happy enough in it, it's me that has the problem.

Morba · 5 Jul 2010 at 23:34

yeah. my boy is quite mobile in it tbh. i would imagine a less controlled 2 year old might be out of it more often.
can understand why you would want a 5 point still tbh.

BigglesPiP · 6 Jul 2010 at 00:37

Surely once it has it's own belt it's no longer a booster seat? So what you're looking for is a large full on child seat. What's the reason the 3 point harness and booster seat aren't ok?

Morba · 6 Jul 2010 at 00:38

BigglesPiP said:
Surely once it has it's own belt it's no longer a booster seat? So what you're looking for is a large full on child seat. What's the reason the 3 point harness and booster seat aren't ok?

not as safe and tbh, a 2 year old will easily climb out.

BigglesPiP · 6 Jul 2010 at 00:47

Judging by my nephew I can understand that point, he also moved to a booster seat at an early age, 2 years old in fact. We just supervised him and made sure he always kept the belt right. He only ever tried to get out of it when we weren't moving, or it was touching his neck, now at 3 he behaves perfectly. If you can't find the seat you want I have 2 tips:
- Make sure the belt is comfortable.
- When we're bored in the car waiting for mummy to come out of the shop, get out of the car.

Morba · 6 Jul 2010 at 00:52

generally with my boy its a case of making sure the most (or only) interesting thing he can do is in his hands already

The Mad Rapper · 6 Jul 2010 at 09:23

Thanks guys - he's well behaved when he's in the seat and we're moving, but he's recently reached the 'I'll do it!' stage. As soon as park he wants to undo the seat belt and open the door by himself. He knows not to touch the seat belt when the car is moving, but even still!

Bar · 6 Jul 2010 at 09:28

You could try something like this:

http://www.babyboom2000.co.uk/products/Safety-1st-Seat-Belt-Adjuster.html

Gives it a bit more support and holds the seat belt more appropriately so it wont rub on his neck.

Do you not have the child safety lock on in the rear doors?

The Mad Rapper · 6 Jul 2010 at 09:33

Bar said:
You could try something like this:

http://www.babyboom2000.co.uk/products/Safety-1st-Seat-Belt-Adjuster.html

Gives it a bit more support and holds the seat belt more appropriately so it wont rub on his neck.

I'll have a look, thanks

Do you not have the child safety lock on in the rear doors?

Yes, and it's active too

It also works on the rear windows as well which is a bonus.

Fr0dders · 6 Jul 2010 at 09:35

what your looking for is a group 2 car seat

unfortunately they are all standardized and group 2 car seats (18kg +) call for the use of the normal seatbelt in the specification. Even the recaro group 2 seats use the 3 point seatbelt.

You'll just have to teach him not to undo the seatbelt.

Why ? because the law takes the point of view that adult seatbelts fitted to the car are more secure than the 5 point restraints fitted to the seat, so the sooner they are in proper 3 point seatbelt the better.

Nowadays of course, you cant get group 2 only. just group 2/3 with group 3 being a booster seat. You just remove the back and use the base as a booster.

Fr0dders · 6 Jul 2010 at 09:39

The Mad Rapper said:
But it means using the 3 point car seat belt. What I am hoping for is a seat which is suitable for his weight plus a margin for growth, say to 25 KG or so, but which offers a 5 point harness. The problem is that he's almost 2.5 years old, but is in excess of 18 KG, so his previous Maxi-Cosi seat is no good - it's only rated to 18 KG

You wont find it

all the seats are categorized into groups. Group 1 is the type of seat you had previously up to 18kg and using a 5 point harness. A group 2/3 seat is the only other type of seat available apart from a booster which is purely group 3.

Because its all standardized etc.. theres no variation. Good for ensuring you know what your buying, bad if you want something different.

The Mad Rapper · 6 Jul 2010 at 09:43

MrLOL said:
You wont find it

all the seats are categorized into groups. Group 1 is the type of seat you had previously up to 18kg and using a 5 point harness. A group 2/3 seat is the only other type of seat available apart from a booster which is purely group 3.

Because its all standardized etc.. theres no variation. Good for ensuring you know what your buying, bad if you want something different.

Yes, that seems to be the position from what I can see. Thanks.

Maccapacca · 6 Jul 2010 at 09:57

We have a silver cross explorerfix seat for my daughter which is excellent quality and easy to use and will definatley be moving on to the navigator, although pricey their range is very comprehensive and should see you well for years

Fr0dders · 6 Jul 2010 at 09:59

that group 1/2/3 seat will need converting for use with group 2/3 - ie bits will have to come off etc.. i'd have thought the 5 point harness would come off when converting to group 2 ?

and why do you need the navigator when the first one is approved for group 1/2 and 3 ?

Child Car Seat Question...

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