Moving from group 1 to 2, too soon?

[mrspapalazarou]

Hi can anyone give me some advice please? I have a Cosatto Hug ISOFIX car seat for DD which will adjust right the way up to group 3. My DD is 2yrs 10mths so we are using it in group 1 mode which I understand is suitable for up to 18kg roughly 4yrs of age.

Her weight is 15.6kg so could move to group 2 as 15kg is the minimum, but I know it would be best to keep her in group 1 until she is nearer 18kg.

However, I'm concerned she is outgrowing group 1 because of her height. She is tall, about 102cm and even with the headrest up as far as it will go, the shoulder straps of the five point harness are below her shoulders and not level with them where they should be. So because of that, im not sure if it would be safer to move to group 2.

Has anyone else experienced this problem or does anyone know if there is somewhere/someone I can go to for expert advice?

[UnaOfStormhold]

Depends on who you got it from but I think most baby seat retailers will provide advice on refitting as the child grows. Sounds to me like she does need to move up though, surely it's better to be in a well-fitted higher stage seat than a poorly-fitted lower stage seat.

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

If she's outgrown it by height then she can't use it with a harness.

However, she is too young to use it with a seatbelt (advice is 4years minimum). Check out the Facebook group 'car seat advice uk' to read up on this.

Your safest option is to buy her a 25kg harness seat. Rear facing is still far safer but there are forward facing options - Joie Bold and Cosy and Safe Excalibur. However if your car doesn't have top tether, you can't use these and rear facing is your only other option.

[mrspapalazarou]

Thanks so much both for your advice. Unfortunately I bought it online direct from Cosatto so can't go back to the shop for refit advice. I have contacted rospa who advised to move her to group 2 now but looked at the site you suggested Tea and yes they say not to use booster until 4yrs old!

I'm going to look into those forward facing seats with the harness up to 25kg. Not a bad option for me as I also have DD2 currently rear facing group 0 who I would have had to buy a new seat for at some point anyway. So if I buy one of these now for DD1, by the time DD2 needs it, DD1 should be 4 yrs old and ok without the harness.

Also DD2 seems to be taking after my side of the family and won't be as tall

Thanks for your help

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

Harnessed to 25kg is definitely the safest option for her at this age. Just check you have top tether points before buying anything!