Car Seat Advice for large Toddler

[kj2023]

My toddler is reaching the limits of his car seat (Maxi Cosi Mica - 18kg/105cm). He's currently 16.4kg and 100cm and will be 2.5 at the end of this month.

We went to a car seat shop today and were advised by their trained staff that he should now be moving into a high back booster as he is now 100cm. I mentioned his age and she said that age has nothing to do with it, to just consider his measurements.

This does not sit well with me and I dont think he's ready to be using a seat belt and not be fully harnessed. Am I right in thinking this? I'm in Ireland and finding it difficult to find the best information on this. Hesitant to go to another shop before I've a bit more information.

A lot of the harnessed seats can only be used to 18kg. Can anyone recommend a safe seat that he can be harnessed until he is of a heavier weight? He is forward facing.

Thanks in advance
K

Hi, you've definitely been advised wrong by the shop, although he is the correct height for a HBB he's much too young yet.

At 100cm and 16.5kg, he does have a little while to go in the Maxi Cosi, so no rush. He will probably be fine in the seat you have for at least another 6 months.

But you probably will need a larger harnessed seat longer term.

For forward facing, the most popular choice is Joie Bold. This has a harness up to 25kg and then turns into a booster. You might also be able to find Cozy n Safe Excalibur, Cozy n Safe Hudson, BabyAuto Dupla Isofix or Enfasafe Event FX, but Joie Bold is usually the easiest to get hold of.

There are some rear facing options too up to 25kg like Britax Max Way Plus and Axkid Minikid. Rearfacing.ie will be able to advise you here.

When you get the Joie Bold (or any forward facing 25kg seat) be aware that it must be fitted using top tether, as sometimes people miss this but it is an essential feature for the safety of the fit :)

We had giant toddler as well. We got the Axkid Minikid which kept him rear facing until four. https://www.google.co.uk/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwiP447Qu5KAAxVJ-O0KHV_QDNgYABALGgJkZw&sig=AOD64_0QIpyDfuvws5yZpT-HjVclVSVXog&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjysInQu5KAAxXrTUEAHa3xA_0Qwg8oAHoECAUQDA&adurl=

At 2.5 his skeleton isn't sufficiently developed to handle to pressure of a regular seat belt in a collision, regardless of his weight. There are a number of 5 point harness seats that have a weight limit of 25kg. Rear facing is ideal if possible.

Rear facing is 5x safer so we went for an extended rear facing BeSafe Stretch.
I have a high centile 20 month old but no way would I want her in a HBB anytime soon!

My dad kindly took my car in for a service recently and the mechanic told him that after 15 months babies should be forward facing. Crazy that they are allowed to dish out advice like that.

I can recommend the Joie bold, we had to buy in a panic situation as other seat broke while on holiday. My daughter is 3 and I wanted a 5 point harness that would last a good while longer. I really like the seat apart from the bit you clip the strap into falls down when you put them in the seat.

Buy an axkid and keep him RF until 5/6 if you can It is so much safer

Go for an extended rear facing seat.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond, especially Bertiebotts for the detailed information. Lots to review.

I'm going to take some time to research into the recommended seats before making any decisions. I've a bit of time before I've to choose.

Also, I'm aware that rear facing is much safer, which we did until very recently, but our drives became impossible with screaming etc. We stuck it out for as long as possible but forward facing is now what works for us.

Thanks again
K