Has XP put DS in the wrong car seat?

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It's one of the ones like a booster seat with a back but it doesn't have a seatbelt that goes over his arms and shoulders and then clips in the middle between his legs like the maxi cosi I have. DS is 2. The other car seats that just do up with the seatbelt like booster seats are from about 3.5 arent they?

Yeah, up until they are about 4 (I think) they should be in a seat with a harness that is strapped into the car, it is just unsafe before that age as dc's are just too small for the normal 3 point seat belt.

Thanks calamityboo. I knew I was right but I just wanted to make sure before I kicked off.

Isn't it to do with a child's height and weight?

It is "roughly 4" and actually depends on weight.

Two seems unlikely though.

Thanks QIelf and Soupdragon. I never knew it went on weight as well. DS is a chunky monkey but not that much of a chunk to need the next one up.

If he is under 15kg he needs to be harnessed (Seat belt probably activate in an accident) and if he is under 18kg it's best practice to be in a harnessed seat.

At 2y I very much doubt your little boy has the development to understand why he has to sit still and not play with the seatbelt/reach for a dropped toy or drink/climb out of his seat/etc. Nothing wrong with that though as most children haven't reached that point until 4 or more.

Thanks everyone, you've all given some super advice. My DS is roughly 2lbs away from 18kg which is the limit for his seat so it looks like (and I hate to admit it) XP was right to put DS in the other seat. Now I just need to start the hunt for another car seat but I hate the thought of him being just restrained by a seat belt. Like you say truthsweet I reckon DS won't comprehend not to reach for stuff etc which worries me.

Ho hum....

If he is 17kg at 2y then a seat like a Britax Two Way Elite would be a good bet, in fact it's the only seat under £600 on the UK market that will harness forward facing until 25kg (the TWE is £200 and the only other seat is a Britax Traveller Plus which is a SN seat and is ENORMOUS) and £600).

My 2.5y is still rfing (she is 12.8kg and will rf until 4y) and my 4.4y is harnessed in a Two Way Elite forward facing (she is 17kg) and is very comfortable in it. She can ride safely in a high back booster but as we have the option of harnessing her I'd rather do that until we needed the seat for DD3.

In a harnessed seat, you the parent are responsible for the child's safety, in a booster the child is responsible for their own safety. Do you trust your 2 year old to make safe decisions? I know I don't trust mine although she isn't cloistered or bubble wrapped I just keep the knives and cleaning products out of reach as I am making that safety choice for her rather than trusting her not to drink the bleach and stab her sisters!