car seat problems-help!!!

[anderlee]

My 20 month old son keeps wriggling out of the straps that go over his shoulders. The only straps thats keepin him in is the ones round his waist and between his legs. He keeps twisting round and bending over.

If there was an accident-god forbid, he would jerk forward. i have tried mothercare and halfords for any suggestions but no success. Any ideas pleese????

[Lily_b]

I had this problem with DD. There is a product out there which wraps around the shoulder straps and velcros together. It used to be available from the Great Little Trading Co, but I've just looked and cannot find it - it was always out of stock anyway and kids can learn how to undo velcro quite easily.

I had previously been in contact with the local police station to get advice about this, and they suggested the following idea:-

to buy a clip buckle like those on rucksacks and a wide webbing strap, sew the bucle on with strong thick thread and then sew one side into one shoulder strap. The webbing was clipped together around both shoulder straps and tightened as much as possible (yes, it brought the straps to almost meet in the middle, but it worked).

[aims1202]

He's young enough for you to be able to distract him from doing this. If he gets out of the straps just stop the car and put him back in properly and then talk to him about something else, give him a new toy or give him something of yours to play with. A little bag with lots of interesting objects inside will keep him occupied for a while. Give him a snack or play music and sing really loud to him! Anything that takes his mind off getting out of the straps. Every time he gets out of them just put him back in with out saying anything about it. He'll soon stop.

[Lily_b]

With all due respect, distracting the little darling enough to avoid this happening will only work if you do not give the road sufficient attention.

I do not know about anderlee's son, however my DD was back out of the straps in 20 seconds flat (on a slow day). Consistent pulling over to put the straps back on would not get you very far on your journey. A preventative is required, especially when a child's life could be at stake.

[anderlee]

thanks lily b, i agree. I couldnt keep stopping the car. I would never get anywhere and he would still keep wriggling. Will try your other idea.

[maxine55]

i also seem to have this problem with my 18 month grandson. no matter what i do he keeps getting out of his straps . seems to be quite a widespread problem would have thought the manufacutres would have thought of this when they designed the seat straps.thought about using reins in his car seat as well but if there was an accident he would not be quickly released so thats no good but will try the above suggestion from lily-bany thing to make them safer whilst travelling!thank you

[Lily_b]

No problem.

The other advantage is that as the buckle is visible, (God forbid you are in an accident) others can see how to undo it.

[aims1202]

Well it worked with mine! If you do this right from the beginning of the journey, giving them other things to take their mind of it, it will work. They only do it because they know you don't want them to and they want to get your attention. If you ignore what they are doing and distract them they won't do it. If they are busy doing something else you wont need to stop the car all the time. Surely its worth a try! If it doesn't work try something else!
(Lilyb i meant stop the car first and get out to put them back on!)
You can talk and sing to a child while concentrating on the road. Small children will be amused for a while with a new toy or object. Have a selection in the front next to you so when he/she is bored with one give them another!

[anderlee]

The situation has got worse!!!! He is now reaching round the back of the car seat and pressing the button on the seatbelt so it comes undone!!!!!! Might have to rethink the situation xx

[Lily_b]

In Halfords they used to have a cover for the main seat belt buckle which clips onto the belt, you could try that.

aims1202 - I was not presuming you tried to put the straps on whilst driving. anderlee has asked for suggestions which I have provided with what worked for my DD.