[steph]

Do any of you have experience with this? My dd, who just turned three has figured out for awhile now how to unclick the top portion of her carseat (it a Britax). She's not yet strong enough to undo the bottom portion. Key word - yet . It used to be she'd just do it when we were ready to get out of the car, but now, she's decided that she doesn't like it when we're driving and will undo it and twist around to see whose driving behind us

. What on earth can I do? I've asked her a dozen times not to do it, which of course only makes it more fun to do! I've tried explaining why we need our seatbelts on but it sounds like this to her

.... HELP!!! I've got a year and about 6 pounds before she's old/big enough for a booster seat instead.....

 

[ombra*luna]

I do have experience with a child who could undo his carseat, but it was a long time ago. I was driving my minivan with my son (who's now 11 but was two or three then) in the back seat, and suddenly someone in a car nearby started gesturing for me to look back. I looked back and he had gotten out of his carseat and was standing on the seat waving to the people in other cars. It had just never occurred to me he could do it, I had a little trouble sometimes getting that latch undone. It was one of those Fisher-price seats with the shield and the one button, that were very popular back then. I don't see them nowadays (took an 8 year break between babies so I don't know why that it, maybe b/c of kids getting out?)

Anyway, back to your question, I remember reading on another board that some (maybe your) carseat manufacturers sell an attachment of sorts that covers the latch on the seat so the child can't undo it. Like something that goes around it that's made of fabric or something, and they can't get it off - maybe you can check with the manufacturer and see what they suggest.

 

[PadmaMorgana]

if it is the chest clip, can you rethread it so it faces backwards? it might be harder to undo.

another suggestion is to stop the car EVERY time and tell her the car doesn't go until she is clicked in. this may work if you are going somewhere fun, like the library or the park (the advice from the parenting site said McD's....uh...no). you might want to leave a little extra time, ro more depending on the subbornness of the child.

 

[kerc]

i agree with above posters. I'll add that my dd can wiggle herself loose enough in the britax to get one arm out. When that happened, I did my best scared mommy voice and said something like "we all wear our seatbelts in the car. erin needs her seatbelt on NOW" I went on to say something like erin scared mommy. I think I scared her pretty good too because she hasn't done it since (cross my fingers).

 

[luv my 2 sweeties]

My ds learned to unlock the bottom latch on the Britax. It's a great seat, but not very child-proof, IMO. Anyway, I keep a bandana in the car which I can thread around the latch and tie so that he can't press the button. (I'm sure you could do the same with the top buckle.) He hates having that bandana on there just on principle -- it's not a comfort issue -- so he agrees to leave it alone. If he unbuckles while we are driving, I stop immediately and put the bandana on for the rest of the trip. It solved the problem really fast -- he never unbuckles while driving anymore. When we stop, I've taught him to ask first before unbuckling himself. Good luck!

 

[Mama J Rock]

This is why I love MDC. What great suggestions Mamas!!

 

[thoesly]

Just got these links from one of my autism groups. Don't know if they'll help, but they may be worth a look:

www.seatbeltbuckleup.com
www.BuckleGuard.com
www.buckleboss.com

 

[steph]

Thanks mamas for the input - something's gotta work!!!