I need car seat help!!

[jblue2018]

Hello!
Right - I need help and quick! My little girl is 17mo and always has been an escape artist. We moved her from an infant maxi cosy to the joie 360 When she was 1. We love the new seat and she sleeps well in it when she’s tired. HOWEVER - when she’s awake she’s worked out how to wriggle out her arms from the top straps so she just has a lap belt.

Let me try and explain. We have the seat with no inserts. The straps are in the right place on top of her shoulders. She doesn’t wear a coat in the car. I pull it veryyyy tight (maybe why she doesn’t like it?!). But she’s a slim thing and there is a gap of about 3 fingers between her belly and where the straps meet the clip - even when they are so tight at the top. Does this make sense?! Any tips?! How do I stop it?!

Thanks 🙈

[BabyG08]

You can but separate buckles and they sit further up the straps like this one if this would help

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076PCXGNK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fab_83yCFb2P82FC5?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[SacreBleeurgh]

Try the BeSafe belt collector - this is crash tested and safe. Lots of other products on the market aren’t, so proceed with caution!

[BertieBotts]

Yes Besafe belt collector, or five point plus.

This is such a common issue, you aren't alone!

I would also check you have the harness at the right place. The headrest should be just above her shoulders with the bottom of it no higher than her chin. You can slightly move the harness pads down in the Joie as well. They are on velcro attached to a separate strap, undo that and move them down a centimetre or so so that they start on top of her shoulders.

[SacreBleeurgh]

This is an extremely reputable and reliable supplier of car seats and car seat accessories - I’d actually be inclined to trust any of the items in this section if they think they are safe enough to sell:

incarsafetycentre.co.uk/accessories/additional-restraint

[BertieBotts]

The Joie seats have a massive gap at the tummy. It's safe as far as accidents go, but makes escaping very easy. You can also try putting the wedge cushion back in as this will push her out to meet the straps better.

No need to pull it as tight as you can, just tight enough that you can insert two fingers at the top of her shoulder and not turn them.

[jblue2018]

Thank you all. I have purchased the 5 point anti escape system which looks good!

[Lockdownseperation]

Are you pulling the straps right around her middle before you pull down the strap which tighten over her shoulders?