Keep you pre-schooler in a 5 point harness carseat!

[purplesunshine]

all due respects to you as an intelligent woman, I completely disagree with you. They have performed many test crashes using carseats and have come to some very conclusive recommendations as a result.

We don’t need traffic lights to cross the road, but using them is a heck of a lot safer.

But again these are studies. As with the carpet kid, had he tripped on a normal, low-shag carpet he’d of been fine…but noooo it had to be a recycled-plastic, low pile, hypoallergenic…etc. etc.

There are some basic things. Traffic lights ARE safer than stop signs. A car seat IS safer for a toddler than a booster seat, especally if they’re tiny. That can be established. But the wisdom and saftey of putting a kindergardner in a rear-facing seat can be questioned…especally in a small car.

Kids also grow at different rates. The two year old I nannied was the size of a smaller five year old. She was in a car seat, not booster seat, but it was forward facing. It was the safest thing for HER. Four/five is a good age for a booster seat depending on the child.

As other posters have suggested…smaller women should still be in booster seats according to the recommendations.

The “absolute safest” thing dosn’t always mean it’s whats best. That’s all I’m saying.

 

[Alix1912]

No matter what situation you come up with there is always an exception to the rule, or someone with a story to prove it right or wrong. Yes by and large seat belts are safer, but their are accidents where they complicated things. Yes it would be better if we all faced backwards in our cars and protected oour spines…but it’s not very practical. Yes a handful of kids have died because of mis assembled dropside cribs, but millions have not. Sometimes the best we can do is try to do the best we can to keep kids safe and happy, and go from there.

 

[Alix1912]

Incidentally, how many people who are adamant about kids facig backwards longer, and being in a 5 point harnass longer are OK with Lap children on planes? Just wondering?

 

[Serap]

BUMP…Instead of debating I’d like to get down to business with other parents that are with me that a 5 point harness is better as long as possible.

Can someone help me? Thanks!!!

QUESTION FOR MOM’S AND DAD’S WITH OLDER CHILDREN IN 5 POINT HARNESS:

Which carseat did you go with and why? I am looking for a new seat for my DD who’s turning 4 this August. She is currently 16 inches sitting height and weighs 36.5 lbs.

My options so far are the Britax Frontier, Sunshine Kids Radian 80SL and the Graco Nautilus.

The issue I have currently with Graco Nautilus is that it has not had extensive side impact crash testing. I am not leaning towards it for this reason. It also does not have true side impact protection built into it when compared to the other 2.

I have read that the Radian doesn’t have the head support for sleeping that the Frontier has, so it’s not as comfortable. BUT, the Radian sits lower, so it’s good for a growing child.

The Frontier sits very high…I keep banging my DD’s head when I put her in her current Britax Marathon. But, the Frontier has had extensive side impact testing since Britax has a comprehensive testing facility that Radian and Graco don’t have. The only issue though, is that all testing is done by the manufacturer and is not standardized by the governement.

Which one have you gone with? I live in Canada, so these are my options right now.

THANKS!!!

 

[happymommy]

But again these are studies. As with the carpet kid, had he tripped on a normal, low-shag carpet he’d of been fine…but noooo it had to be a recycled-plastic, low pile, hypoallergenic…etc. etc.

There are some basic things. Traffic lights ARE safer than stop signs. A car seat IS safer for a toddler than a booster seat, especally if they’re tiny. That can be established. But the wisdom and saftey of putting a kindergardner in a rear-facing seat can be questioned…especally in a small car.

Kids also grow at different rates. The two year old I nannied was the size of a smaller five year old. She was in a car seat, not booster seat, but it was forward facing. It was the safest thing for HER. Four/five is a good age for a booster seat depending on the child.

As other posters have suggested…smaller women should still be in booster seats according to the recommendations.

The “absolute safest” thing dosn’t always mean it’s whats best. That’s all I’m saying.

You are right. Our almost 5 year old is in a booster seat. He’s just fine in it. My 9 year old is also in a booster seat, but she’s short Our 11 year old, I don’t make ride in a booster seat anymore, but she is not allowed to sit in the front seat. And believe me, I’m a nut when it comes to my kids being in the car! I’ve seen what 7 year olds look like when they fly through a car window…may God have mercy on my cousin and her sweet little girl…11 years ago we lost them

But I think sometimes there isn’t a best for everyone answer for these things.

My DH and I were talking last night about this thread. Remembering riding without seat belts, riding in the front seat on the arm rest. He used to ride in the back of his parents pickup truck as they came from Pittsburgh to visit his grandparents…on the high way!

Safety laws have come a long way and so have carseat, but we also have to remember that cars are safer than they used to be too. We were hit two years ago on our way home from Church. We saw it coming, but due to snow piled along the road, we couldn’t get out of the way. The car was crunched up pretty good, but none of us were hurt at all. The kids hardly moved!

Incidentally, how many people who are adamant about kids facig backwards longer, and being in a 5 point harnass longer are OK with Lap children on planes? Just wondering?

How about school buses with no seatbelts! Can someone explain why I have to have him in a carseat, but he can be picked up by the school bus in the fall for kindergarten and there are no seatbelts?

 

[kristacecilia]

What car seat is your 7 year old using? I’d like to know b/c I need to buy a bigger 5 point harness seat.

The Britax Frontier XT

 

[Belle10]

I’ve seen what 7 year olds look like when they fly through a car window…may God have mercy on my cousin and her sweet little girl…11 years ago we lost them

How about school buses with no seatbelts! Can someone explain why I have to have him in a carseat, but he can be picked up by the school bus in the fall for kindergarten and there are no seatbelts?

Yeah, this. DD1 will start kindergarten in the fall, and I’m terrified of her riding the bus. I’m trying to reassure myself that you hardly ever hear of school bus accidents, but it’s still scary!

 

[kristacecilia]

Incidentally, how many people who are adamant about kids facig backwards longer, and being in a 5 point harnass longer are OK with Lap children on planes? Just wondering?

I don’t fly with my children, too expensive.

HOWEVER, that last time I flew I had a 13 month old who was a lap baby. I was very uncomfortable with it. I wished we had paid for the extra seat and brought his carseat along.

Statistically, though, you are much less likely to be in an airplane crash than a car crash. That is the only thing that made me feel better.

Now, said 13 month old is 7 years old. Since he has 3 younger siblings now, airlines are too expensive and I don’t have to worry about it. However, if I did win the lottery and was able to afford flying, All my children’s car seats would be brought along and used.

 

[happymommy]

Yeah, this. DD1 will start kindergarten in the fall, and I’m terrified of her riding the bus. I’m trying to reassure myself that you hardly ever hear of school bus accidents, but it’s still scary!

They happen. Normally just a fender bender, but still!

 

[Serap]

They happen. Normally just a fender bender, but still!

I have an issue with the whole school bus thing too.

Same with coaches though…they don’t have seatbelts for adults either

I had my then 15 month old on my lap on a plane and I was very uncomfortable about it. I kept thinking that if anything happened, he would go flying ouf of my arms (while he slept). I’m glad it was a short flight.

The thing with airplanes though, if that there is a crash, even the likely hood of me living is very low

 

[Serap]

The Britax Frontier XT

I’m leaning towards this one too.

I don’t like the Nautilus too much b/c it’s not re-inforced with steal the way the Frontier is. In Canada, it’s only a $40 difference too. The Frontier has 2 extra inches for sitting height also.

I am still hmmm and haaaing, between the Radian XT or the Frontier…help anyone?

 

[gatewood1988]

My husband is a school bus driver for the district out here and I asked him that question. He said that they make the seats high enough that a kid will not go flying forward also the the ways that the bus is made are to also make sure in the case of a rollover, the bus won’t roll too much and kids won’t get tangled in a seatbelt and choke themselves.

 

[Alix1912]

My sister’s choir was involved in a horrific accident with School Buses when she was in High School. One of the drivers of the two buses fell asleep at the wheel and rolled the bus. Thank God not the one my sister was on, but it was a bad accident, no one was killed, again Thank God. However 2 kids were seriously hurt. One was a pianist with a scholarship to Julliard and got cut on the glass and severed a nerve in her hand…she can’t play anymore. The other has a huge gash running down her face now. It was awful. The kids were more injured by the broken glass than being thrown around.

No matter what there is nothing completely safe.

 

[Serap]

My sister’s choir was involved in a horrific accident with School Buses when she was in High School. One of the drivers of the two buses fell asleep at the wheel and rolled the bus. Thank God not the one my sister was on, but it was a bad accident, no one was killed, again Thank God. However 2 kids were seriously hurt. One was a pianist with a scholarship to Julliard and got cut on the glass and severed a nerve in her hand…she can’t play anymore. The other has a huge gash running down her face now. It was awful. The kids were more injured by the broken glass than being thrown around.

No matter what there is nothing completely safe.

yes, but there is such a thing as common sense and following guidelines set out by our government and companies that have done extensive research.

I can drive drunk and still not have a car accident.

 

[Alix1912]

yes, but there is such a thing as common sense and following guidelines set out by our government and companies that have done extensive research.

I can drive drunk and still not have a car accident.

True…I’m not saying disregard warnings, I;m just saying nothing is ever completely safe no matter what.

 

[surfinpure]

Until my pediatrician tells me to turn my seven-, five-, and two-year-old around and lock them all in a 5-point harness (just the toddler’s in one right now), I’m not going to. I think rear-facing is an especially bad idea for toddlers, because both of my boys have nearly choked themselves to death on random bits of food or other unlikely objects they’ve gotten hold of in the car. Frankly, I don’t trust them if I can’t see them, and while we’ve only had one accident with a child in the car, I’ve had to swerve and pull over multiple times to remove some OBJECT from a child’s mouth or throat.

So no, no rear-facing tots for us unless and until the doc says so.

 

[kristacecilia]

Until my pediatrician tells me to turn my seven-, five-, and two-year-old around and lock them all in a 5-point harness (just the toddler’s in one right now), I’m not going to. I think rear-facing is an especially bad idea for toddlers, because both of my boys have nearly choked themselves to death on random bits of food or other unlikely objects they’ve gotten hold of in the car. Frankly, I don’t trust them if I can’t see them, and while we’ve only had one accident with a child in the car, I’ve had to swerve and pull over multiple times to remove some OBJECT from a child’s mouth or throat.

So no, no rear-facing tots for us unless and until the doc says so.

My kids aren’t allowed to eat anything in the car unless they are forward-facing. We make frequent, long car trips and this has never been a problem.

I don’t give my kids anything to play with that they might choke on unless I can trust them not to put it in their mouth.

We have never had a choking incident in our car… and I have a 7, 5, 2 year old and a 10 month old.

All of them are rear-facing except the 7 year old, and he is still in a 5 point harness. Safely.

 

[surfinpure]

My kids aren’t allowed to eat anything in the car unless they are forward-facing. We make frequent, long car trips and this has never been a problem.

I don’t give my kids anything to play with that they might choke on unless I can trust them not to put it in their mouth.

We have never had a choking incident in our car… and I have a 7, 5, 2 year old and a 10 month old.

All of them are rear-facing except the 7 year old, and he is still in a 5 point harness. Safely.

Ever have a kid eat part of a carseat? I have. Twice.

And yeah, I feed them in the car. I give them toys. I’m a typical mom. Kudos to all of you who can stick with strict rules in the car.

 

[happymommy]

My kids aren’t allowed to eat anything in the car unless they are forward-facing. We make frequent, long car trips and this has never been a problem.

I don’t give my kids anything to play with that they might choke on unless I can trust them not to put it in their mouth.

We have never had a choking incident in our car… and I have a 7, 5, 2 year old and a 10 month old.

All of them are rear-facing except the 7 year old, and he is still in a 5 point harness. Safely.

Yeah, I never let my kids eat in the car. Not worth the risk or the mess!

However, I have never kept my kids in a 5 point harness that long. As I said in another post, my almost 5 year old is in a booster seat, and has been for awhile now and does just fine. I can’t imagine having him rear facing still.

yes, but there is such a thing as common sense and following guidelines set out by our government and companies that have done extensive research

But I have to start to wonder about the companies and their extensive research…could it be they just want you to keep buying carseats?
I for one don’t put a whole lot of trust in our government to tell me anything to do with my kids. And yes, it comes down to common sense and my common sense tells me that my 11 year old doesn’t need a 5 point harness! Really my mother-in-law should still be using a carseat because of her height and weight!

 

[Serap]

Just want to clarify a couple of things. My DD is forward facing and is turning 4 in 4 months. She has been FF since she turned 22 months. My DS is 16 months and will be foward facing when he turns 2.

I’m in the anal, but not so anal category.

I plan on keeping my DD in a 5 point harness until she is around 5.5 when my son outgrows his Britax Marathon and needs to go in the Frontier (which I’m buying for DD this year).

My dd will then go into a new booster seat b/c they are a lot cheaper than buying another Frontier.

So I guess I’m luke warm anal

I do personally think that the parent should do his/her best to ensure car safety and follow guidelines that have emerged from extensive research, but also within reason so that it also works for the family.