to think this advice can't be right?

[AmIGoingMad]

DS is 2.6. He's really tall for age and weighs 17.5kg so we need a new carseat to replace his maxi cosi axiss.
Mothercare assistant told us that due to his weight and height we should get hog back booster which is used with 3 point adult seatbelt as there's nothing in between that's suitable. This can't be right can it?

And just to confirm the Recaro Young Sport is the same (harness only up to 18kg).

I'll check for you and let you know later

I do know offhand that part of the reason for using 5-point harnesses is the pelvic bone isn't mature enough (especially at 2 years old) to support the body in a car crash. So it's really not safe enough to just stick him in a 3-point harness.

I'll check with an expert and post again this evening.

I think its bloody awful that if you have a larger two year old the cost of the correct carseat is over £200

It suddenly crossed my mind last week that the 0-4 year seat we had was only up to 18kg and ds3 was probably over that, we had to go out and buy a new one the next day, so had no time to save. Don't know what people do if they need two carseats.

I totally agree moomins- it's outrageous! Also the fact that some US versions are good for higher weight limits to the UK ones also seems crazy!

Thanks to all for responses on this. I feel clueless and also feel that you can't really give much trust to the advice given in the shops.

foreverondiet, the Recaro seat in this link is the same (harness up to 18kg only) if anyone is after a car seat that harnesses beyond 18 kg, these seats also tend to be ERF (extended rear facing) they are best contacting one of the companies on the below link.
rearfacing.co.uk/buyersguide.php

Hope this helps :-)

There has been a lot of research and it has been proven that rear facing up to 4 years old is five times safer :-)

The 18kg is just the current limit they are tested to. They may be suitable above this, but I wouldn't want to take the gamble. Even if the same model is sold in the US and has a higher limit, that doesn't mean it is manufactured the same here.

The regulations are changing in the next few years I believe.

OTOH, at 2+ they do put on weight much more slowly than they did as babies, and it may take 6 months or longer to gain 0.5 kilos. I would keep him in the current seat but keep weighing him, when he actually gets to 18kg, then get either a high backed booster or an extended weight 5 point harness seat. You could start putting money away now in case the cost is higher.

I know the freakonomics book is often quoted on here, that states that any child over 3 is just as safe in a booster seat as a harnessed seat. I think there are issues with them staying still etc but generally if they are the weight limit I would not worry about a 3 year old or even almost 3 year old in a full size booster seat.

Have you thought of a kiddy car seat?

Sent erf the same? All over £200 and what's a kiddi car seat?

Oh yes I've seen those, they have a cushioned bar type thing at the front, although I think at £200 id probably go for something with a 5 point harness instead

We have the bolster cushion types though not that specific brand. After 18kg or when there is a need for a height adjustment or both the bolster has to come off. Hence why DD is in the high backed booster now. It may not be the best safety wise but I dont see how hunching her and squidging her behind a bolster is all that safe either.

I contacted Graco about this a while back.

They said:

"The Nautilus is manufactured for the UK and the US markets.

Any child seat used in the UK must conform to the standard ECE R44.03 or R44.04, which is usually denoted with the letter E in a circle and a number (the number indicates the country in which the seat was tested and approved - the UK is 11).

The standard applies Europe-wide and therefore European manufactured seats will be an 'appropriate' restraint within the meaning of our laws and can be sold and used in the UK.

Seats designed for the US market will not meet European/UK compliance laws, as things such as chest clips are illegal and fire retardancy will not be the same.

Under no circumstances would we suggest “adapting” a US car seat to comply with legal requirements in another country. The method of fixing car seats into cars will vary between countries.

There are modifications to the UK version of shell to make it compliant, so they are not exactly the same."

I thought age did come into it though? Eg neck muscles are less developed and head to body ratio is different so yes he is a larger toddler but he will still be a toddler with a toddler's neck and head to body ratio.

did your child's head come over the top of the seat? ds was well within the weight limit for some car seaats but far too tall. we had to go for one with an adult seatbelt.