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Car seats

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Original poster

5 point harness seat for 4+

19 replies

fraggle73 · 10/08/2011 12:29

My 9 month old is ready to move on to the ext car seat, so we were going to move her into my son's maxi cosi. I am now looking for a new seat for him but ideally would like a 5 point harness. Can you get them for this age group?
I have heard/read that 5 point harness is much safer than the adult seatbelt.

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Catslikehats · 10/08/2011 12:33

Phil and Teds do two style of seats that use a 5 point harness from about 2yrs (I have one of each). My DC's 5 & 6 now use them with the adult seatbelt but the harness would be fine for a 4 yr old. They also convert to boosters

BertieBotts · 10/08/2011 12:34

I wouldn't move the 9 month old yet - rear facing is much safer than forward facing. Is her head touching the top of the seat yet? This solves your harness problem too :)

Giddly · 10/08/2011 12:58

Agree with Bertie - also doesn't matter if head is over the top - as long as tops of ears aren't. Also fine if legs can't be completely straight.
Tou can't by car seats from 4 years (i.e. equivalent of high backed boosters) with 5 point harnesses as over a particular weight they become dangerous and a normal seatbelt is safer. A number of 5 point harnesses will still fit an average 4 year old though (think the max is often 19kg).

BertieBotts · 10/08/2011 13:40

I thought it was the top of the head in a rear facing seat, tops of ears in forward facing. It doesn't matter where her legs are.

aswellasyou · 10/08/2011 13:47

The only forward facing car seat with a 5 point harness after 15kg is the Britax Two Way Elite. There are group 1/2 or 1/2/3 seats that have a five point harness so if your son is under 15kg but too tall for the harness on his group 1 seat he can still use a harness in those seats. But I agree with the others that you really shouldn't be moving your baby into a forward facing seat at only 9 months.

Catslikehats · 10/08/2011 13:57

phil and teds tott

phila and teds tott xt

I don't know if these are only supposed to be used until 15kg with the harness but the harnesses certainly still fit bigger children.

Giddly · 10/08/2011 14:33

I was told top of ears for both, but happy to be corrected if there's reputable stuff out there saying different

brachy · 10/08/2011 20:40

My DD was harnessed in a Britax Elite until a few months after her 6th birthday. She would still be in it had she not outgrown it height wise as she is still 17kgs.
My DS is refacing in the 2-Way Elite at nearly 2 years. I love this seat, it is so versatile and lasts years.

TruthSweet · 12/08/2011 03:46

It's 1" of shell above the head for a infant carrier but tips of the ears for extended rfing seats/forward facing seats unless your manual says otherwise.

Legs can be bent (and rfing toddlers/pre-schoolers definitely have their legs bent!) safely and are not an issue.

sazm · 12/08/2011 11:43

most harnesses only do up to 18kgs,which means if you have a tall lightweight lo then these are a good solution, but if they are over 18kg you use a seatbelt,i think the only one different is the britax special needs one that does up to 25kg harnessed.

TruthSweet · 12/08/2011 17:45

The Britax Two Way Elite does to 25kg harnessed rf or ff and it has a very tall back compared to most Group 1 seats so if you had a tall/light or even a tall/heavy child it would take them to high back booster age.

sleepevader · 14/08/2011 09:43

Hi Just for info neither of those phil and teds and suitable past 18kg. I emailed bambino direct and preciouslittleones about the misleading info after checking the manual on phil and teds site (no longer available) which said harness only to 18kg.

I emailed them three times- neither replied and neither changed info on website. They clearly dont care about car safety

Catslikehats · 14/08/2011 09:49

Thanks for looking sleepevader

Just to note 18kgs is 2st 11lbs. My tall 6.8 yr old weighs 3 stone (she doesn't use harness) so I would imagine these seats suit most 4 yr olds.

FrumpyPumpy · 28/08/2011 21:55

Please can I ask...

DS is 2.6, 16.5kg, tall (ears at top of group 1 seat). Wanted a high back booster wIth 5 point harness, but are we only going to be able to use until he puts on 1.5kg?

FrumpyPumpy · 28/08/2011 21:59

Sorry, was being lazy, have looked up now.

aswellasyou · 28/08/2011 22:00

The only seat you could use forward facing with a five point harness past 18kg is the Britax Two Way Elite which costs about £200. Have you looked at his growth chart to see how long it's likely to be before he gets to 18kg?

RandomMess · 28/08/2011 22:02

Forward facing seats with impact cushions are actually safer in an accident than forward facing with 5 point harnesses as less of a strain is taken by just their necks.

aswellasyou · 28/08/2011 22:04

They still only go up to 18kg with the cushion though unfortunately.

RandomMess · 28/08/2011 22:04

indeed

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