how to stop DS slumping forward when asleep in HBB

[bonzo77]

DS is 18kg and 4.3 and has just moved into a HBB: this one. But when he fell asleep in it today he was slumping forwards and flopping to one side. I woke him up as it looked awful. Is there anything that I can safely use to keep him upright in his seat? I've seen this kind of thing. It seems ideal but I am always wary of "add ons" that could potentially make the seat less safe.

[bonzo77]

Bump.

[snappybadger]

How funny - I was just coming on to ask about the same product! A friend recommended the Beltupp to me today, but I can't seem to find much about it online i.e. independent safety reviews. Wondering if it's as bad as those houdini strap type things, or if it really is a good, safe product. Would love to hear from anyone with some knowledge of the product.

[heather1]

Yes it looks awful, mine slumped too. We had a seat that could be slightly tilted backwards but it didn't make any difference. They are fine and no lasting effects. I don't think there is much that can be done about it.

[tallulah]

We have the same seat and DD used to fall forwards as soon as she went to sleep. Have you reclined it as far as it will go?

As they get older they do stop leaning forwards. DD is now 7 and until reading your OP I'd forgotten she used to do this.

I don't know about the belt thing, but can only think that if it was a good idea the seat would already come with one?

[bonzo77]

I don't think I can recline it, but I'll look. To my embarrassment I realised that I'd not put the head rest as far down as I could have. Now I have, the eyelet that you pass the shoulder strap through sits in a much better position so that might help. When I was a child (30 years ago) we had booster cushions and my dad installed harnesses for us. It's such a shame that they don't do group 2 or 2/3 seats with a 5 point belt. Actually, they do, but one is £599 (yes, really) and the other one is an ERF seat and also very expensive.

The web site says the belt has been crash tested and passed to ECE044/04 by an independent tester, who does exist as I googled them. But as a PP said, if they were such a good idea the seat would already have one.

[AliceMum09]

I was going to suggest using a decent booster with good, deep head and body support - but I see from your link that you already are!

In that case, I think it's just going to be a matter of reminding your son to rest his head to the side if he feels tired. Over time he'll get the hang of sleeping upright! My older two (aged 8 and 5) got the hang of it pretty quickly, and don't slump at all.

[HelicopterDad]

You can recline the Kidfix seats by putting your hand into the little pocket on the seat and pulling back. It doesn't recline by much but every little helps.

We are well behind the Americans on this issue too. They have some lovely harness to booster seats made by Britax - harness up to 70 lbs. It's a shame they don't make them for the UK market.

I have the same problem with my twin boys. It would be even worse with the backless boosters - they should be outlawed before a child reaches about 7 in my view.

I would suggest that you write to Britax to ask what they think of the Halford product. I wouldn't assume that just because Britax don't fit them as standard that they are somehow unsafe.

If you are on twitter, @BritaxUK usually respond fairly quickly. Otherwise, email to [email protected]

[ZenNudist]

I have same car seat & same problem. Thinking of getting one. Surely they wouldn't be allowed to sell it if unsafe?

Do all HBBs do this? Let children slump forward when asleep? I think the halfords product is better than the alternative of driving such an unsafe way with sleeping child.