Car seat dilemma

[ComeOVeneer]

DS is a big boy. He will be 2 in a few weeks, but he is too big for his car seat. His head is above the height of the seat and the straps at their most adjusted are about a 1/3 of the way down his back. I popped into Halfords this morning for them to check it - they said his head wouldn't be protected from side impact as he was too tall, and the straps should come from above his shoulders down the front of his body. As they are they could cause damage to his shoulders in an accident.

He isn't yet 15kg, so isn't heavy enough for the next stage car seat but I was told he would be safer in one of those rather than the one he is in now, so that is what I have bought. Is this right? Also how on earth am I going to kep him in the seat?

How heavy is he? Could you not get one of the seats that is booster seat shaped but also has an integral harness?

Something like this one

DS1 has been in his Maxi Cosi Rodi since being just over two. He just came in to the weight catergory, and it was much comfier for him with because he is so tall.

We have had strict words about using the seatbelt, and not touching it. TBH he has never been bothered with it. Now he is 3 he understands how its undone, but still never touched it on any journey. Infact he's better in this one, than his harness which he used to slip his arms out of.

I think you've done the right thing, but you could always go for more info, maybe from the manufacturers if you feel unsure. ?

Thanks bozza that looks perfect. I haven't taken the new one out of the box yet so will return it tomorrow.

Is you child in the second stage sear, rather than a "baby" car seat? If so, it should last until about 3 but of course if your child is taller/heavier then average it can cause a problem. My son went from the maxi cosi to the rodi when he was 3 and I worried about him having no harness. My car seat man is fabulous and I won't go anywhere else and he said that my child was safer with a seat belt than a harness as he was at risk from chest injuries if in a crash.
If you aren't happy with what the assistant has said you need to phone the car seat manufacturers or try another store.

We have a Britax Evolva 123 Ultra which has a harness and converts to a high back booster later on. Did ok in the Which? guide too. Here but got a better deal at Boots.com !

He is currently in the Britax eclise, but is simply to big, I suspected hewas because recently I have been strugling to get him in and the straps are at max. length but only just do up. I just now he will be a nightmare with anadult seat belt. He aready takes his arms out of the straps with a 5 point harness.

I've been looking for his style of seat to, although my Dd is 3 but still too small to go into a high back booster but we need to get another seat for a new car.
The only decent ones I have seen are the Britax one (although there are two models one of which is much more padded) and the Recaro start and sport which you get in Halfords. There are a couple of other but they use the adult seat belt only which isn't much use for a little one. These all go from 9mths to 12 years so there should be no probems with his weight in them.

cov you would probably be better going for Lizs suggestion - she is always clued up on car seat issues. I just linked to that one to give you an idea of what I had in mind.

How tall is your DS? DS is 90cm & we just got the Britax Evolva, as we needed to get anotehr seat for DH' car, and it was obvious if we got another stage 2 seat he will be too big for it before he is 4 (he's 2.8).

It has the integral harness and adjustable height and already I have put it on quite a high setting so the straps come from his shoulders.

HTH

I think you have to take those weight restriction and the Height ones into consideration together...iykwim...one of those Recaro young sport seats or seats like that will be perfect

we have the one on the right as you look at the three pics. My DD started off using the harness but has just gone on to just the seat belt. The seat is great and will last until she no longer needs a seat.