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Original poster

Finding it difficult to lift toddler into car seat

16 replies

Chocolateheaven123 · 21/12/2018 17:50

My son is nearly 22m but is very long for his age. He's still rear facing and not ready to turn it around yet. I'm suddenly finding it awkward to lift him into the seat. Because of his length, I have to "scrunch" him up to fit him through the gap to get him into the seat. He lands awkwardly and I often bump his head on the top of the door frame Blush

If he was forward facing, I imagine there's more room or he could climb in then up, but I want him RF for a bit longer.

Just to add, he doesn't complain but it also can't be comfortable for him. I'm also 4 months pregnant and have a bad back, and DS is also a little lump so it's all quite difficult.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions? Guess I'm just looking for some thoughts or is it just me? Confused

OP posts:
Zebedee88 · 21/12/2018 17:54

I haven't actually seen the proper rear facing seats before but is it possible for you to lift him onto the backseat on the other side and ask him to climb in his seat? Then you can just buckle him in?

overandunder9 · 21/12/2018 17:56

I would definitely recommend the seats that rotate - they make life a lot easier.

KatharinaRosalie · 21/12/2018 17:57

22 months, can't he climb in himself?

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Families
Jackshouse · 21/12/2018 17:58

Get him to climb in.

Stuckforthefourthtime · 21/12/2018 17:59

Children often need to scrunch when rear facing. They can be comfortable in quite yoga style poses!
Most of mine rear faced until over 3, once it gets uncomfortable they will definitely and loudly tell you Smile
Can he climb in via the opposite side of the car so you don't need to lift him? Not on a main road, obviously, but in a car park or at home that should help.

CurlsLDN · 21/12/2018 17:59

Could you keep a plastic step (the potty training kind) in the footwell, to help him clambour up himself?

tatyr · 21/12/2018 18:03

I had SPD when pregnant, and started teaching my toddler how to climb into the car (used a bathroom step, had a box in the foot well and had some loops on the front seat headrest to help her pull herself up into the car.
Requires cooperation/bribery but should be doable. Because it won't get easier the more pregnant you get.
I also used to encourage toddler to get in a better position to be lifted (getting up into sofa/chair as I couldn't lift from the floor, and did the cot to bed changeover a bit earlier than I might have otherwise, so I didn't have to lift her in/out of cot.

Original poster
Chocolateheaven123 · 21/12/2018 18:09

I may just have pregnancy brain but do I get him to climb in? Can't think of where he could 'boost' himself up?? If he was FF, then he can easily climb in then step on a stool or something but with RF he's coming from the side.

As for getting in the other side, I'll give it a go but my parents live on a busy main road and we are there often so that will be difficult (we live on a no-through road and have a driveway) plus we'll be having another car seat that side in the next few months with the new baby.

OP posts:
CemetaryGates · 21/12/2018 18:10

Get a spin 360 seat, they make life so much easier!

Cherries101 · 21/12/2018 18:11

Kids can climb anything provided they don’t have any disabilities. Make it into a game. My dn often climbed into rear facing herself and then I would adjust her if required. She loved it.

sar302 · 21/12/2018 18:16

Joie 360 spin seat. Best thing ever!

randomsabreuse · 21/12/2018 18:21

What seat is he in? My DD was climbing into a cybex Sirona at that age - she just did sill to rear seat to car seat then rotated herself. Less need to scrunch if they're climbing themselves. Of course non-co-operation is a problem regardless...

Original poster
Chocolateheaven123 · 21/12/2018 20:16

I'll try and get him to climb in from now on. Luckily he's loves climbing and if I stick some chocolate in front of him that should definitely do the trick Grin he's pretty good and doesn't complain or struggle, just can't be very comfortable.

Thanks every one Smile

OP posts:
Gimmeesugar · 21/12/2018 20:36

Mine stands on the edge of the car foot well then climbs up - you can give their bum a push!

CurlsLDN · 22/12/2018 11:22

My ds is forward facing but has never stepped into the footwell then into the seat. Kids don't go round things, they just climb over what's in front of them!

Step stool on pavement/child steps onto door frame, pulls himself up, you give him a shove on the bum and he'll go head first into the seat, then wriggle himself round from there

onestitchaway · 22/12/2018 11:40

Same with my DS (just 2). I have the spin car seat and it isn’t any easier. Always bump his head Xmas Blush. Have never thought of making him climb in! Game changer

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