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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Using the middle lap belt for older minded children okay or not ?

16 replies

rainbow71 · 17/01/2008 11:51

Hi I have a lap belt in the middle row of seats in my car that I currently use for under 3's. During the holidays I will have 3 under 8's (but over 4) and 2 over 8's each day. I have never used the middle lap belt for older children as I wasn't sure whether it was allowed and if it's safe enough. The problem is if I don't use it we will be unable to use the car during the hols for trips out etc. What do you all think is it ok to use lap belts for older children ie. over 8's or not. Using my front seat is not an option because of the airbag. Please give me your thoughts. Many thanks.

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NAB3wishesfor2008 · 17/01/2008 11:52

Do you mean you use the lap belt with a seat for under 3's?

Original poster

rainbow71 · 17/01/2008 11:52

yes, sorry I should have said it's a Britax.

OP posts:

LadyMuck · 17/01/2008 11:55

I don't think that it is our thoughts that are the issue, but I do think that it is worth explaining the situation to the parents.

NAB3wishesfor2008 · 17/01/2008 11:55

How old are the over 8's. I think it is baout 12 before they can come out of seats depending on their height.

looneytune · 17/01/2008 12:10

I personally wouldn't. I've JUST started using it for a proper car seat but I wouldn't risk it with a mindee but that's just me. I suppose if the parents want you to and they do themselves then it's probably up to you but I wouldn't be sure on the LEGAL side iyswim

waltzingmatilda · 17/01/2008 12:16

Depends on size of oldest child. I would consider putting the biggest child in the front seat despite the airbag. If child is reasonably big and front seat pushed back as far as possible this could be the lesser of two evils.

Not illegal to put child in lap belt only (again would put biggest child there).
Also not illegal to put in front seat - is only illegal for babies. And the bigger the child, the less risk in putting in front seat.

Obviously neither of these two options is the best option if you have other seats available. And if they were not my own children I would feel obliged to discuss with parents and take it from there. Would the smallest of the under 8's still be within the weight limits for the Britax seat with a lap belt. I think they can cope with a child up to about 4 yrs old.

Original poster

rainbow71 · 17/01/2008 12:17

Hi I just wondered whether it was just me that didn't like using them or if all childminders and parents didn't use the lap belt for children. I've been told lap belts are designed for adults hips and not for children but then some people think they are ok for children I just wondered what the general view is.

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Original poster

rainbow71 · 17/01/2008 12:24

Hi waltzing, thanks for replying. Unfortunately the two youngest are four, one of which is the size of a 6 yr old and the other is used to using the next seat on and is presently in competition with the other one over everything so using the Britax car seat not an option unfortunately or problem solved. I was considering having the front air bags disabled by the garage but to be honest I'm not normally this busy and don't want to do it if I'm not up to these numbers during most hols.

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NAB3wishesfor2008 · 17/01/2008 12:28

I am sure I read somewhere that lap belts are awful if you have a smash as they ruin the insides?????

Original poster

rainbow71 · 17/01/2008 12:32

yes I heard it can seriously damage a child's spine if your involved in an accident.

OP posts:

ConnorTraceptive · 17/01/2008 12:39

I wouldn't use one as an adult or for a child tbh.

Think you need to speak to parents and only do so if they are completely happy for you too.

NAB3wishesfor2008 · 17/01/2008 12:43

Ask about insurance though should an accident happen. I would get written permission too.

Ineedaholiday · 17/01/2008 12:44

In my old car I had written permission from one of the parents to one of her 5 yr old twins use the lap belt in the car, used to use it with booster cushion.
I didnt like doing it but if I hadnt we couldnt have used the car. (had my own 7 yr old in front seat,no airbag fitted, and my 6 yrold in other seat), one of 5 yr olds was obsessed with trying to open car door so couldnt put him at door cos he would try to climb out window too.
When I bought a 7seater proper seatbelts in the middle were one of the things the car had to have (along with being diesel and a full size 7 seater)
Talk to the parents to see how they feel.

shoshe · 17/01/2008 12:55

Hi rainbow, I have these on my lap belt, as then the 4 year old are strapped in by the harness. would that be a option, (you can use them without the harness as well or just as a booster seat. I have 3 stage 2 seats and 3 of these as well as a plain booster, that way all the children are covered, (my 6 year old still fits in this one with the harness.)

Original poster

rainbow71 · 18/01/2008 12:37

Hi all,
Thanks for your advice.
Shoshe - I looked at putting one of these car seats in the middle before but when I checked with various shops they all said they were not suitable for the lap top as the back isn't fixed firmly to the seat and so the child would still be thrown forwards in an accident as the whole back would come forward. This is just the type I could do with though but with a solid fixed back that doesn't come away and form a booster, but has a wider seat for older children. At the moment I have a Britax renaissance but this will not take my four year olds as the seat and back is too narrow.

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Mum2Luke · 18/01/2008 16:07

I would probably only put my 17 or 14 yr olds in the lap belt and a tall enough 8,9 or 10 yr old in the front who did not need a booster.

I have a VW Sharan but because it is a T reg, its only got a lap belt in the 2nd row middle seat, the rest being 3 point seat belts. There are some Britax seats that you can use with the lap belt on the market in Mothercare but they are quite pricey and I wasn't sure about them if you braked hard, whether it would stay in and not launch forward.

When parents sign the contract, they have to sign permission forms to say whether they can go in the car in appropriate seats for the weight of child and then you are covered on insurance if anything happens.

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