Has XP put DS in the wrong car seat?

[Newbeginning1]

It's one of the ones like a booster seat with a back but it doesn't have a seatbelt that goes over his arms and shoulders and then clips in the middle between his legs like the maxi cosi I have. DS is 2. The other car seats that just do up with the seatbelt like booster seats are from about 3.5 arent they?

[Calamityboo]

Yeah, up until they are about 4 (I think) they should be in a seat with a harness that is strapped into the car, it is just unsafe before that age as dc's are just too small for the normal 3 point seat belt.

[Newbeginning1]

Thanks calamityboo. I knew I was right but I just wanted to make sure before I kicked off.

[QIelf]

Isn't it to do with a child's height and weight?

[SoupDragon]

It is "roughly 4" and actually depends on weight.

Two seems unlikely though.

[Newbeginning1]

Thanks QIelf and Soupdragon. I never knew it went on weight as well. DS is a chunky monkey but not that much of a chunk to need the next one up.

[TruthSweet]

If he is under 15kg he needs to be harnessed (Seat belt probably activate in an accident) and if he is under 18kg it's best practice to be in a harnessed seat.

At 2y I very much doubt your little boy has the development to understand why he has to sit still and not play with the seatbelt/reach for a dropped toy or drink/climb out of his seat/etc. Nothing wrong with that though as most children haven't reached that point until 4 or more.

[Newbeginning1]

Thanks everyone, you've all given some super advice. My DS is roughly 2lbs away from 18kg which is the limit for his seat so it looks like (and I hate to admit it) XP was right to put DS in the other seat. Now I just need to start the hunt for another car seat but I hate the thought of him being just restrained by a seat belt. Like you say truthsweet I reckon DS won't comprehend not to reach for stuff etc which worries me.

Ho hum....

[TruthSweet]

If he is 17kg at 2y then a seat like a Britax Two Way Elite would be a good bet, in fact it's the only seat under £600 on the UK market that will harness forward facing until 25kg (the TWE is £200 and the only other seat is a Britax Traveller Plus which is a SN seat and is ENORMOUS) and £600).

My 2.5y is still rfing (she is 12.8kg and will rf until 4y) and my 4.4y is harnessed in a Two Way Elite forward facing (she is 17kg) and is very comfortable in it. She can ride safely in a high back booster but as we have the option of harnessing her I'd rather do that until we needed the seat for DD3.

In a harnessed seat, you the parent are responsible for the child's safety, in a booster the child is responsible for their own safety. Do you trust your 2 year old to make safe decisions? I know I don't trust mine although she isn't cloistered or bubble wrapped I just keep the knives and cleaning products out of reach as I am making that safety choice for her rather than trusting her not to drink the bleach and stab her sisters!