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4 year old, newborn, and carseat placement...

post #1 of 85
2/26/08 at 12:55pm
Thread Starter 
I sort of asked this in a thread before, but wanted to just make sure as I'm expecting babe in two months.

So... four year old in *centre*?? Newborn in bucket seat in side? Is that right? It sort of defies my instincts to protect my more vulnerable baby, but the rationale is that the bucket seat provides more protection, right?

My housemate told me to double check as she thinks I should clarify that my older child is not a toddler, but a 40 lb four year old. So, should my 40 lb four year old be in the centre, or the side?

And, while I'm at it, her carseat is one of those that has a 5 point harness or the option to just use a seatbelt and use it as a booster. Which of those should I be doing? I have no latch in my car and the carseat is installed just with a seatbelt, if that makes a difference.

Thanks mamas!

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post #2 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:06pm
Yes I would put the 4 year old in the centre.

Also, even if your car seat is installed with a seatbelt, it has to have the top tether too in Ontario. If your car does not have a top tether bolt, bring it to a dealership who can put one in either for free or 20 dollars.

I would still keep a 40 pound child harnessed. It used to be that harness went up to 48 lbs here, but now it is 65 pounds- of course all depending on your car seat limits.
post #3 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:12pm
With your current seat, you need to take the harness straps out ASAP, since your 4 yo is at the weight limit. I would definitely recommend harnessing past 40 pounds in a higher-weight seat.

As for placement, this is a matter of hot debate among techs. I personally am among the "least protected goes in the middle" camp, in which case your 4yo would be in the middle, since she is FF.
post #4 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:13pm
Thread Starter 
Uh, it has to have the top tether? I had no idea. Wow.

I actually think my new car has a top tether, but on the side. Do I need that for the bucket seat?

i suck at carseats.

My carseat does hold up to 60... or maybe 80? lbs. But it converts to a booster. As long as she fits in the harness, it should be safe I would think.

I should call the dealership... I've been driving around for years with no tether. I wouldn't have the faintest idea how to install a carseat to a tether.
post #5 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by an_aurora View Post
With your current seat, you need to take the harness straps out ASAP, since your 4 yo is at the weight limit. I would definitely recommend harnessing past 40 pounds in a higher-weight seat.
Okay, why harness straps out asap? She is hovering around 40 lbs, has been for awhile and probably will be for awhile yet. I dont see how it is an emergency or a safety issue that she is harnessed? Unless I'm missing something.

Thanks for the help mamas!
post #6 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thismama View Post
Uh, it has to have the top tether? I had no idea. Wow.



My carseat does hold up to 60... or maybe 80? lbs. But it converts to a booster. As long as she fits in the harness, it should be safe I would think.
If you are in Canada, they are required. If you are in the US, they are very strongly advised. Read you manual, but the "100 lb limit" is in booster mode. It will only harness to 40 pounds. You absolutely can't use the harness past the 40 pounds.
post #7 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by an_aurora View Post
With your current seat, you need to take the harness straps out ASAP, since your 4 yo is at the weight limit. I would definitely recommend harnessing past 40 pounds in a higher-weight seat.

As for placement, this is a matter of hot debate among techs. I personally am among the "least protected goes in the middle" camp, in which case your 4yo would be in the middle, since she is FF.
Did I miss something? I didn't see that her car seat was a 40 lb limit?
post #8 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:17pm
What seat is your dd in? Most seats that turn into a booster only harness to 40#. If she's that, she needs to either use the seatbelt and use the seat as a booster or you need to find her a new seat that harnesses past 40# (there are plenty of options now). I would reccomend finding a new seat, but you do what you have to do. If you have to turn it into a booster, she needs to have a lap/shoulder belt so might have to go on the side since I doubt you have lap/shoulder belt in the middle. In that case, baby would go in the middle.

From the sounds of it, your dd needs her seat turned into a booster ASAP!
post #9 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by the_lissa View Post
Did I miss something? I didn't see that her car seat was a 40 lb limit?
She said it's a combo seat, that converts to a booster. ALL of these seats, with the exception of the Apex and the Nautilus, only harness to 40 pounds.
post #10 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by an_aurora View Post
If you are in Canada, they are required. If you are in the US, they are very strongly advised. Read you manual, but the "100 lb limit" is in booster mode. It will only harness to 40 pounds. You absolutely can't use the harness past the 40 pounds.
Are you sure?

My car seat manual says you can harness until 48 pounds, and I've seen that you can harness some seats until 65 pounds.
post #11 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:19pm
Thread Starter 
Um, I have no manual. Loooooong lost.

I see, though, the point about the harness not being strong enough to harness past 40 lbs!! Geez. That's scary. She is right at 40, maybe 39, not 41 even so I feel fine about the harness for now but that is really good information.

I don't really want to get another carseat. It must be safe to have 40lbs+ children in booster seats, no? Since it's legal and all...
post #12 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by an_aurora View Post
She said it's a combo seat, that converts to a booster. ALL of these seats, with the exception of the Apex and the Nautilus, only harness to 40 pounds.
I have a convertible seat that harnesses to 48 pounds.
post #13 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:19pm
It sounds like your dd needs her seat switched to a booster ASAP. Almost all combo seats (especially if you haven't bought it in the last year) only go to 40# w/ the harness and then you can use them as a booster after that. She will need to be on the side where you have a lap/shoulder belt and then baby can go in the middle. No, neither the booster or the infant seat will need a tether anchor.
post #14 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by the_lissa View Post
Are you sure?

My car seat manual says you can harness until 48 pounds, and I've seen that you can harness some seats until 65 pounds.
SOME seats, yes. Not combo seats. Canada has different weight limits on some seats.
post #15 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by the_lissa View Post
Are you sure?

My car seat manual says you can harness until 48 pounds, and I've seen that you can harness some seats until 65 pounds.
I should figure out the brand and look it up on the net. It goes til at least 60 lbs but I don't know what my particular harness would hold up to weight wise.
post #16 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by the_lissa View Post
I have a convertible seat that harnesses to 48 pounds.
You're in Canada, since OP didn't say we are assuming she's in the US. All but 3? combo seats here harness to only 40#.
post #17 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by thepeach80 View Post
It sounds like your dd needs her seat switched to a booster ASAP. Almost all combo seats (especially if you haven't bought it in the last year) only go to 40# w/ the harness and then you can use them as a booster after that. She will need to be on the side where you have a lap/shoulder belt and then baby can go in the middle. No, neither the booster or the infant seat will need a tether anchor.
OMG this thread is confusing the hell out of me.
post #18 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:21pm
She is in Canada. We live near each other. That's why I mentioned the top tether being the law here.
post #19 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thismama View Post

I see, though, the point about the harness not being strong enough to harness past 40 lbs!! Geez. That's scary. She is right at 40, maybe 39, not 41 even so I feel fine about the harness for now but that is really good information.

I don't really want to get another carseat. It must be safe to have 40lbs+ children in booster seats, no? Since it's legal and all...
Legal, but definitely not recommended. I would feel MUCH better with that child in booster mode than using the harness past 40 pounds. Where are her shoulders in relation to the top slot?
post #20 of 85
2/26/08 at 1:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by thepeach80 View Post
You're in Canada, since OP didn't say we are assuming she's in the US. All but 3? combo seats here harness to only 40#.
We're good friends IRL, me and the_lissa. Sorry, that would totally not be obvious from this thread! And my 'banned for being canadian' tag is long gone.

I'm in Canada.
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Mothering › Mothering Discussion Forums › Parenting › Family Safety › 4 year old, newborn, and carseat placement...