Swivelling a car seat so it faces side window

[Carriedthemfar]

I’m just wondering if this is unsafe, or not. My three year old keeps reaching across and hurting the baby and in desperation I’ve resorted to spinning his seat so he’s facing outside rather than looking straight ahead?

Car seats are tested for safety based on the child facing a certain way should there be an impact. You shouldn’t fit it incorrectly like that, who knows what would happen to your child if there was a crash? -it’s madness.

Absolutely this is incredibly unsafe, how is it even properly secured? The whole point of a car seat is it has specific front vs side vs rear impact protection!

I haven’t fit it incorrectly. It’s a seat that swivels and I’ve just turned it so it faces the window. However overall point taken.

It is secure, it’s one that swivels.

No, please don't.
They are designed for transport forward or rear facing. Not side facing.
Find another way to keep baby safe. Is the toddler straped in tightly enough? I'm trying to picture how they are accessing the baby - assuming one of them isn't in the middle of the car.

OP I know the type of car seat you’re talking about. It won’t be safe due to how injuries happen and acceleration/deceleration forces happen during abrupt stopping and crashing in the front to back and vice versa directions. (I’ve worded that poorly but hopefully it vaguely makes sense!)
When I did research on car seats there was an amazing very very well informed poster on here who seemed to know loads- will try and dig their name out of old posts x

He always manages to get out of the straps. I haven’t found a solution to this.

He always manages to get out of the straps. I haven’t found a solution to this.

Doesn't sound safe to me, sorry.

Assuming the babies rear facing, they can go in the front with the airbag turned off, then they're out of reach of the toddler. Does mean if there's a second adult, they need to go in the back, but should only be a year or so before toddler is old enough to be told no, and maybe past the new sibling jealousy.

The poster I’m thinking of is @bertiebotts

OK, work on keeping him in his seat. It's not safe to have him out of the restrains either.
Things to check: no coat or bulky top layer, shoulder straps at the top at the correct height, straps tightened enough. If none of that works, there are additional clips you can get, but you need to make sure they are approved, and not just buy a random one off the internet.

I know - I’ve never had his coat on and have tried everything feasible but he always ends up slipping his arms out and leaning all over the place, it’s awful.

Does the car seat "lock" in that position? My swivel car seat only locks in rear or forward facing. Doesn't sound safe though!

Sorry but you also really need to fix this. How old the toddler? Mine did this a couple of times at around 2.5, we pulled over to re-strap, and absolutely read her the riot act. Did the trick for us, possibly the shock of it being one of only thing I'd ever been shouty mum over.

Or if they're two little to understand, you can get chest clips. They have safety concerns of their own but less so then the child being unrestrained.

I understand why you did this but it's not the solution. My son can undo his car seat buckle but we've taught him he's only allowed to do it when the car is stationary. He needs boundaries and consequences for his actions for this behaviour as it's unsafe.

He doesn’t care a jot for the riot act. Finds it hilariously funny in fact

We’ve got the chest clip (Houdini strap?) just pushes it down and wriggles out.

Well first of all you give your 3 year old an absolute bollocking for misbehaving and putting other people in danger. Sod all your bloody useless gentle parenting. If that really doesn't work, turn your airbag off and put the baby in the front seat.

The straps are not tight enough ...remove his coat and pull them so you cannot pinch and strap it shows you in instructions. Make sure for rear facing it is below his shoulders for forward just above.
Are the seats next to each other?
If he gets out stop the car and refit be very firm in tone.

@Fizzadora honestly, he would love it if I did that. He laughs his head off, it’s just his favourite thing to do. I’ll have to see about how to move the baby to the front.

@jannier i know thanks. He’s literally never had his coat on in the car, I’ve followed all the advice about keeping the straps on and he always gets out.

Could you try explaining that you really want to take him to the park/soft play or whatever, but can't drive there if he's not safe in the car. Then if he gets out the straps, stop, re-fit, then go straight home. He'll probably tantrum all the way home, but it's the natural consequence of you not being able to safely drive to fun places.

Read the instruction manual. It will be tested according to this. I find it very unlikely it would have been tested facing sideways.

He just doesn’t care @Sprogonthetyne . Plus, even if it did work it only works if you are going somewhere he would want to go. Reason does not apply here.

Whilst moving the baby to the front sorts the immediate issue of baby being hurt, it doesn't stop the issue of the toddler getting out of his straps, and you really need to sort that bit out to solve both issues.

Are the straps adjusted to the right height? He shouldn't be able to slip out if they are. If they are too low it can happen though.

@SpringOfContentment - I’m completely out of ideas. Behaviour has been very difficult of late, as much as I hate to say it I can’t control him at all. I know I’m inviting abuse with that admission but it is the truth, he doesn’t answer when spoken to or just shouts NO, laughs if you are firm / shout, doesn’t care about toy removal or loss of privileges. I even considered smacking the other day which I’m so against but I’m out of ideas but I don’t even think it would work.