My not-yet-3-year-old is over 105cm.. not ready for 3 point seatbelt??

[OneTrackMindToday]

As the title says really - she's not 3 until January but already over the height limit for her existing RF seat (although it still fits ok for now). So looking for a new one in the next month or so. But EVERY seat I've come across has three point harness only for over 105cm? This can't be safe at such a young age, she'd wiggle right out of it!

Has anyone had this, and if so can you suggest a seat or where to look?

I've considered ERF (e.g. Axkid Minikid) as I know it's so much safer, but we only have a hatchback size car (Skoda Kamiq) and my very tall husband's knees are up against the dashboard with her Joie 360 (I think) RF seat as it is, so genuinely don't think an ERF would fit in our car.

You're right to say she needs more restraint than a seatbelt/high back booster at not quite 3. Even just three is a bit too young for a booster seat.

The Axkids (ERF seats) can be more compact than spin seats because they are a bit more upright and don't have the isofix base. I am not sure if they are smaller than the Joie because that is one of the smallest spin seats. But if you have an Axkid stockist near you, you could try one out. Fitting it in the middle might also be worth a shot as it impacts less on the driver and passenger seat. You could try the Avionaut Sky as well, IIRC that is compact.

If you wanted to go forward facing there are only a few options. The older Cozy n safe Hudson or Excalibur, not the i-size ones, or the old Joie Bold R or the new Joie i-Irvana Max (must be max version). Personally my vote would be for the Irvana because it meets the newer safety regulation and it's easier to fit with just isofix and top tether, whereas the others need isofix, top tether and seatbelt.

If you have the original Joie 360, then there's no height limit on it BTW - she can use it as long as her shoulders fit under the headrest and she's under the 18kg weight limit. If it's the Joie i-Spin that you have, then it does have a 105cm limit or 19kg. Have a double check on the labels on the seat and see if you can find out which one it is. Original Joie 360 doesn't have the pop out wing things on the sides, this is the easiest clue. But still, it sounds like you will need a new seat sooner rather than later.

Oh in fact, here, I just found this post showing an Axkid Minikid and Avionaut Sky installed in a Skoda Kamiq: https://www.facebook.com/allaboutcarseats/posts/avionaut-sky-vs-axkid-minikidskoda-kamiq-2021both-car-seats-available-at-wwwalla/3025795831016914/

Yes I had 2x axkids in a tiny car, I think on the recommendation of you Bertie!! And also had v tall kids. I think we did have to have the seat quite far forward but it was doable.

This is such useful advice, thank you! And I don't know how you came up with that Facebook post, my google searches for Kamiq+Axkid were totally unhelpful!

I did actually come across mention of the i-Irvana Max on a Reddit post after I'd made this post, so that's probably top of my list at the moment, but that All About Car Seats (FB post) looks to be fairly near me so I think I'll see if I can try out an Axkid and see how it fits

A million thanks, you seem to be the resident car seat expert @BertieBotts

Definitely try to test the seats in person if you can. I had tall kids and found that the main issue was the height of the straps, not the headrest.

Our tall 5 year old is currently in an Axkid Minikid 4 Max and has loads of room. It can be installed very upright, or more reclined and can be installed with varying amounts of legroom.
It is swapped between cars - Kia Sportage, VW Golf and Skoda Fabia and we have no issues with it in any of them ☺️

I personally wouldn’t have a child as young as yours forward facing.

Thanks, that's really good to know! I don't want her forward facing if it can be avoided but was thinking it might be necessary. I've contacted the car seat company linked above so hoping to test an Axkid soon

Hi, we are in a very similar predicament and wondering what you decided? I have a just turned 2 year old who is 103cm and 18.5kg. She's outgrown harness seats but I don't want to put her in a booster as she's still so little. Unfortunately ERF is not a option for us atm due to budget.

@Bluebellsfortwo unfortunately we absolutely blew the budget on an ERF (BeSafe stretch) which due to our small car will only last a couple of years but was the best option for us. If we weren't going for ERF I would have bought the i-Irvana Max which is forward facing but with 5-point harness to 25kg

Thanks for replying @OneTrackMindToday , it's frustrating how expensive RF seats for bigger children are. For us the car seat would only be used very ocassionally so can't justify spending £500 on it. Plus, the car itself is tiny so that's another limitation. I think I will look into the Joie Irvana one

@Bluebellsfortwo You can get a decent ERF seat without spending £500. Not sure what your budget is but the Britax Max Safe Pro is currently on sale for £189. It’s suitable for up to 36kg and 125cm. It’s a great seat. It’s Plus Tested as well. My tall 5 year old is in one and finds it super comfy

link for the seat although I think you can’t choose the colour for the sale!

https://www.pramworld.co.uk/britax-romer-max-safe-pro-jade-green/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19588117415&gbraid=0AAAAAD_X_9SvAFqKbOQnPzPZRnRtCe4H-&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsY3LBhCwARIsAF6O6XhGgzcgnYsMnd0yZ4XgIJ1i0aHq2dqyR9h3vzlKymu6Qa0WnB8Br7UaAltdEALw_wcB

edited as I got the height limit wrong

@Bluebellsfortwo very annoying, the finish seems much cheaper than Joie so hard to know where the cost comes from, other than that they're not as widely used. Oh well. Hope you find one that works for you!

That's great, for us I used the service someone recommended above as I was concerned whether it would actually fit - a cheaper one didn't. That was the only reason I didn't buy online. That's an excellent price for ERF though

We have one each of the old Joie Bold R and the newer I Irvana Max, for a 4 year old and a 5 year old. Both were in Joie I spin before those.

The I irvana is definitely easier to move and fit just because you don't need the seatbelt as well. Other than that, they are equally comfortable for the children and easy to use. We like them both. Both kids still around the 19 to 20 kg range, so still in 5 point belts for a while yet.