2yo nearly 3yo can unbuckle car seat

[ecossegirl91]

My little one who is nearly 3 has recently started pushing the button and unbuckling themselves from their car seat.
Ive tried pulling over (when safe and annoyingly not always possible) and rebuckling and emphasising sternly it’s unsafe.
I’m also happy to try turning the car around and returning home if we are going somewhere fun but this method won’t work when we are going to nursery.
I could also try taking away a favourite toy but I’m not sure if he would understand the direct link between involving the car seat and removal of his toy?

I’ve seen the cybex car seat which doesn’t have a typical 5 point harness and a lot of the comments seem to be that it’s good for escaping children. Anyone any experience or advice?

current car seat lasts until 4 so not a big deal if I need to get a new car seat provided it would help.

www.halfords.com/baby-and-child/car-seats/child-car-seats/cybex-pallas-b-i-size-car-seat---pure-black-halfords-exclusive-217507.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&_%24ja=tsid%3A%7Ccid%3A17136607329%7Cagid%3A%7Ctid%3A%7Ccrid%3A%7Cnw%3Ax%7Crnd%3A17918878640392917770%7Cdvc%3Am%7Cadp%3A%7Cmt%3A%7Cloc%3A9046949&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17141165404&gclid=CjwKCAjwisnGBhAXEiwA0zEOR0zJlZtciRapCD7ozcsgNiWRHZIgHtFZcAj2GoJjhdUnjYcn3CN3DhoCQuIQAvD_BwE

At nearly 3 I would try going with saying he can’t unbuckle it until you say he can. Make sure you remind on every journey he must not press it until you say he can. Always lwt him unfasten himself at the end of each journey.

We had this problem and I bought a thing recommended on here called Houdini Stop.

"Saying he can't unbuckle it until you say he can." 😂 Oh @Teachingagain I am happy that worked for you.

I also employed the ‘lose my shit’ method when DD2 did it in the middle of the dual carriageway. I am not a shouter generally, but I really let it rip and she was absolutely stunned and has never done it again! For safety stuff like this, I would have no reservations about doing so again.

I see it’s already been suggested but just another vote for trying to stick the rough side of Velcro to the button so it feels horrible when they touch it.

This how I am handling it for my 2.5 year old since he learnt a few weeks ago to open the buckle. He understands that car seats are to keep him safe when moving.He gets to unbuckle himself when we park.
Most kids this age understand concept of danger but they also want some level of control.

There are clearly two types of children 🤣 those who listen when you explain clearly and do what you ask those who did whatever the F they want!!
I also see two separate ways children escape from their seats - unbuckling and sliding/contorting out of the straps

Anyway, for us the Pallas has been a way safer option because all the extra buckles didn't work and he doesn't do what we ask him to!!

we had a kiddy car seat that utilises a body shield and the car seat belt? Also better as their shoulders are free which actually reduces whip lash. Cybex look similar….

I do find this advice really frustrating. When my then toddler used to do this he found my ‘anger’ funny. It doesn’t work for all toddlers but for some reason on here the answer is always to get furious, get angry, get more angry. But for a lot of toddlers the reaction makes it worthwhile.

If you have an escape artist I think preventing them escaping if you can is best.

Agreed, you're bound to have the smug posters who deploy their gentle parenting in dangerous situations and apparently it always works for them, of course it does, until it doesn't 🤣

Not saying losing your shit always works - clearly not, but the point is you have a responsibility to keep them safe and with some kids this means putting things in practice - like extra safety buckles or different car seats.

That age is definitely old enough to explain to and understand as long as you keep it short and direct.
I like the idea of telling him how clever he is to learn how to undo it but he must wait til you say so.

My second did this. I ended up buying a Houdini strap. We didn’t go in the car much, fortunately.

Me too, DS3 did it on the motorway, the little sod. As soon as I could pull over, I shouted until he sobbed. I felt dreadful about it but my heart was racing and the adrenaline couldn’t stop me from reacting with fear. He’s never done it again.

Both my children did this! My youngest one has that exact same car seat and he's never gotten out of it! He's 4 and still has plenty of room with the shield on! I'd really recommend that seat xx

The top straps can be helpful if they escape by getting their arms out, they are no use if they escape by pressing the buckle. Those top strap things (all of them) are designed to open if you crash/aren't crash tested so they won't hold the straps closed on their own. Covering the buckle somehow is the best way to prevent access if behavioural methods don't work and you can't change the seat. Ideally temporarily. Try also not to put pressure onto the straps or move them into a different position - they are designed to spread crash forces across the stronger parts of a child's skeleton.

It does make sense to try solutions which don't add additional risk first. OTOH it's definitely true that the no-added-risk solutions don't work for all children!

The Pallas seats are as safe as any other forward facing seat.

I did a emergency brake with one of mine she never did it again obviously don't do it at high speed

We had a cybex pallas 2 and loved it although our child went straight into it from the first baby seat at 9 months, so I can't tell you if he was a natural un-buckler stopped by the seat, or whether he just never would have been with any seat.

Rf is obviously so much safer however a ff child that stops escaping is 100% safer than a rf one that isn't strapped in . I swear you need nerves of steel with toddlers they really are a law unto themselves but you aren't alone I'd imagine its something every parent has dealt with at some point .

Switching to forward facing has mostly solved my carseat woes. When possible, we sit second parent in the back and then still rear face.

Now the little blighter has realised that forward facing she can reach the car door handle and tries to undo that. I've told her she mustn't when the car is moving, so now she waits til traffic lights. Thank goodness for the child locks...

I had never shouted at my toddler before. The first time they tried unbuckling themselves in a moving car I pulled over and shouted. Shocked them so much they never did it again and refused to allow the car to move if anyone was not strapped in.

We didn't have an escapee child but we did have the car seat with the bumper cushion and found it fabulous. Mine loved they could rest a book on it or you when on longer journeys like a little table! And then you just stop using it when they can go into a high back booster only. Definitely go for it!

Buy a lock car seat that locks with a key so you little toddler can't unbuckle with out you parents

Yeah rather than emphasising sternly I just proper yelled at him when he done. He got fright and hasn’t happened since.
I’m not sure a lock car seat would be safe - what if we get in an accident and you are looking for a key. There’s a reason that car seats are one click to get them out