Car seat question

[oxfordcircus]

We're having a problem keeping our 20 month old in her car seat. We have a car seat with a "clip" at chest level that acts as the 4th and 5th points of restraint - it's not a buckle that clicks, the belt just slides into place. The baby thinks it's fun to undo the clip and slide out of the seat, which is obviously unacceptable. Isn't there a product that makes the clip child-proof...something short of buying a whole new car seat? Thanks for any advice.

We're about to embark on a 13 hour drive to WDW. We can't have the little one popping out of her sit like a piece of toast.

 

[dman11]

Duct tape!

 

[staci]

Ours locks and it was the cheapest on they had at the time at walmart (I think around $40). 5 pt harness. DS is 26 months and has not ever been able to get out.

Just in case you cant find anything to keep her in .............. I agree duct tape would keep her busy but might be kinda hard to get her out each time!!!

 

[frayedend]

That's a tough one. I don't think they make them completely child proof due to the fact that you may need to get them out quickly. I had the same problem but luckily after a few corrections it stopped. I pulled the car over and said we were not moving until the seat belts stayed on. Not so easy the younger they are. Good luck!

 

[tjmw2727]

I posted a similar question about my neice last summer. She was 2, tiny, and very flexible. She would slide the chest clip down far enough so she could then roll her shoulders down one at a time and get out of the carseat. My SIL ended up buying a new seat with a chest clip that buckles instead of slides and my neice can't undo this. They went to TRU and tried out several seats before decding on one. My SIL then had it inspected by a specialist and found out she had been using the shoulder straps too loose as well.

Lots of places offer free carseat checks, that could be a place to start. Otherwise try tightening the straps and as a last resort look into a seat with a chest clip she can't undo. Since she is just 2 there are some great seats that will be great now and can convert to a nice booster to last her until the 8/80 range. (Helps justify the cost of a new seat!)

TJ

 

[oxfordcircus]

My SIL then had it inspected by a specialist and found out she had been using the shoulder straps too loose as well.

Lots of places offer free carseat checks, that could be a place to start. Otherwise try tightening the straps and as a last resort look into a seat with a chest clip she can't undo.
TJ

No matter how much we tighten the belt, she still manages to get out. She's just figured out how to solve the clip no matter how we present it.

 

[staci]

No matter how much we tighten the belt, she still manages to get out. She's just figured out how to solve the clip no matter how we present it.

I would probably just get a new one then that had a chest clip that buckles instead of slides.

 

[tjmw2727]

I would probably just get a new one then that had a chest clip that buckles instead of slides.

Yep, that is was my sis in law had to do. We considered velcrow to keep the clip from slipping but allow the parent to move it. Anthing else seemed to compromise the safety of the seat so my sis in law decided since DN was too young to teach this it would be better to bit the bullet and buy a seat.

TJ

 

[safetymom]

My youngest did that with his seat. I just took a day and we went out. Every time I saw he did that I stopped the car and told him no and put him back in his seat. It didn't take too many stops until he stopped getting out of the seat.

You don't want to interfere with the proper working of the harness by using duct tape or other means to keep the straps on his shoulders.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

What about putting a smock or button-down shirt on backwards, after you buckle Houdini in? It would make it harder to get to the buckle, but not compromise the seat.

 

[sskem96]

Gotta love the straight jacket idea! I don't know what kind of seat you have, or if any other companies make something similar, but thought I'd pass this on. I think it's what you're looking for if it's compatible with your seat.
http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.co..._Id=372780&sku1=k_s1_71668552&is_baby_depot=1

 

[oxfordcircus]

Gotta love the straight jacket idea! I don't know what kind of seat you have, or if any other companies make something similar, but thought I'd pass this on. I think it's what you're looking for if it's compatible with your seat.
http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.co..._Id=372780&sku1=k_s1_71668552&is_baby_depot=1

HOORAY!!!!!!!! I knew that eventually someone would have a simple, sane and premanufactured solution to my problem. Thank you, sskem96. I searched and searched, but couldn't find this. I thought One Step Ahead would have something similar, but they don't. Thanks again. $6 sure beats buying a whole new seat!

 

[ZanneMarie]

I would probably just get a new one then that had a chest clip that buckles instead of slides.

I don't want to put a 'bad' thought in your mind but my DD was able to unclip the chest clip when she was absurdly young -I think she was about 16 months old? We had to go for behaviour modification----every time she unclipped we pulled over to the side of the road as soon as we could safely and clipped it back up and told her 'No'. We had to stop 4-5 times the first trip. And then just occasionally for the next week or so but she did stop. We had to occasionally remind her and stop again off and on after that but for the most part she got it. I also had the thought that the clip might have been getting 'loose' or easier to unclip because of use so I called the car seat manufacturer and they sent me a new clip. Of course by the time I got it I had pretty much trained her but I still changed it-made me feel better.