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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to keep my children in car seats even though they're tall enough to go without?

44 replies

suecy · 27/02/2012 17:45

Well, am I?

Both are probably just a bit over 135cm but I figure its safer for them to be in them than not?

At what point would it become less safe for them to be in one?

OP posts:
aldiwhore · 27/02/2012 17:46

I think you'd need to do a bit of research... my son looks weird in a car seat, the belt doesn't sit right, he looks like he's in a precarious position. Therefore we don't use one (and he's legally tall enough).

ifeelloved · 27/02/2012 17:47

I think it's all to do with their weight and where the seat belt goes across them. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon.

AmberLeaf · 27/02/2012 17:48

If they are tall enough to be without one, then isnt it less safe to be in one?

Groovee · 27/02/2012 17:48

I've only just let dd out of hers. She's 12 but so skinny but her hips were sore. She's been over the 135cm for around 16 months.

Bunbaker · 27/02/2012 17:50

DD found her car seat too uncomfortable when she reached the magic height. She was only 8 but too tall to sit comfortably, so the seat went.

Shakirasma · 27/02/2012 17:50

Is it safer? It wouldn't be safe for an adult to sit in one, so there must come a point where they are no longer appropriate depending on the person's size.

Given that the law states 135cm, I would imagine the safe limit is not far over that as it can't have been a random height that the government picked out of the air.

lesley33 · 27/02/2012 17:51

Could be wrong, but I too thought it was less safe.

piprabbit · 27/02/2012 17:51

My DD's carseat has side impact protection and she is 140cm tall, so still a couple of inches shorter than the 145cm tall which I understand is the limit in some other European countries. So I still put her in her car seat, especially on longer journeys.

However, I'm much more relaxed about her taking short lifts from people without a carseat. For example when I drop her at her grandparents, but a change of plan means they want to drop her home but don't have the car seat.

YANBU to use carseats if your children are only slightly over the 135cm and within the recommended weight range for the seat. YABU if they are 6ft tall teenagers.

MrsMagnolia · 27/02/2012 17:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

silverfrog · 27/02/2012 17:54

the seat will have a height and wight limit.

if your dc are within these limits, then they are probably safer in the seat than out of it.

when the law was changed, it was originally proposed that the height of 150cm wa sused, as that is the (average) height which an adult seatbelt is designed around, iyswim. but it was thought to be too extreme, and so the lower height limit was used.

go by the guidelines of the seats you have.

Sparklingbrook · 27/02/2012 17:55

It confuses me that a lot of parents are in such a rush to dispense with them. I still use one for DS2 (9) as the seatbelt lies properly.

Some of the parents I know see them as babyish, and something to be rushed out of. Confused

Kellamity · 27/02/2012 17:56

It's all about where the seat belt sits across their hips. It should sit across the bony prominences of the hips hence why the need for a booster seat is determined by height.

MrsMagnolia · 27/02/2012 18:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kellamity · 27/02/2012 18:11

If it wasn't on your hips it would squish your internal organs surely!?

Sparklingbrook · 27/02/2012 18:13

What about the shoulder strap being across the neck? I though that was a no-no as well?

imnotmymum · 27/02/2012 18:13

My Son tall but only 8 but he not in one but again up to you would say they would have made height different if it was more safe at 140 for example

Kellamity · 27/02/2012 18:14

Yes that's right it should be across the shoulder and no where near the neck.

Kellamity · 27/02/2012 18:16

"the lap belt goes as low as possible from hip bone to hip bone - not across your stomach" - from the Direct Gov Uk website.

JugglingWithTangentialOranges · 27/02/2012 18:18

Booster seats can be good though to add to the safety and make the belt sit right - DS likes his as he can then see out of the window better Smile

JugglingWithTangentialOranges · 27/02/2012 18:19
  • He's a smallish 10
lesley33 · 27/02/2012 18:20

As an adult, the seat belt goes across my neck Sad

Ineedacleaneriamalazyslattern · 27/02/2012 18:20

Dd is only 8 but already well above the 135cm and generally still uses a booster seat. In some cars the seat belt still sits on her neck but in mil micra the seat belt sits comfortably.
I prefer it for her comfort as much as anything else but in mil car she actually looks more comfortable out of it.

Sparklingbrook · 27/02/2012 18:21

That's what I mean Juggling.

'Little Jimmy no longer needs a care seat' Erm, are you sure, he can't actually see out of the window. Hmm

Hulababy · 27/02/2012 18:36

My DD is 9y and above the recommended height. but she generally still uses a booster cushion in our cars, especially if sat in the front seat,

From experience, esp in back seats infact, if you are short - I am only 5 feet - the seat belt cuts across your neck. In an accident this must hurt. So I prefer DD to remain in a booster to lift her slightly. It's safer and so I prefer to keep using one to keep her safer, obviosuly.

However, if we go in hire cars, on with grandparents. etc and a car seat doesn't fit as well or we haven't got it then I don't worry and we go without. I don't send her with car seats to use in friend's cars, etc.

Hulababy · 27/02/2012 18:37

Although the law is 135cm the recommended height is 150cm.