We just moved my son into the seat belt with a high back booster. We are all having trouble getting the seat belt into the latch. I literally have to lean all the way over him and the booster seat to hold the seatbelt latch part while putting the buckle in. What a PITA! Our latch is on a "flimsy" short seat belt so the problem is getting it to stay still to buckle the buckle in. It's a two hand job. My question is - do they make anything to hold the latch part in one position/make it not flimsy/attach to the booster somehow? At this point I'm ready to go back to the harness because of how hard it is to buckle him in. He's tried to do it himself but gets frustrated because of how hard it is for him to do and I want to double check it anyways. It's a Britax Frontier 85 so it sits pretty high up off the seat.....thanks for any suggestions!
The pool noodle! See that's what I was looking for and I just couldn't word it right. I don't even know if I could find a pool noodle in Illinois right now but that will be on my to do list this weekend LOL. We have the booster latched in with the cars latch system so it doesn't move around when he gets in it but the cars seat belt latch thing is impossible to reach/hold on to so I have to practically climb on top of him to get it clicked in. I thought the booster would be easier than the 5 point but not so much! Thanks Mamas!!!!
I use a pool noodle to held the latch part in place. Works great. The kids can buckle themselves because it stays put. You have to replace it every once in awhile but you only cut a small piece so just keep the noodle you cut.
:)
I'm not entirely sure I understand your question. When you say "latch," are you referring to the car's seatbelts or the "latch system" that carseats can be hooked to?
I'm guessing you are referring to your car's seatbelt that adults would also use (and not the "latch system"). You might want to look into buying a different carseat. It sounds like your carseat doesn't fit your car.
Booster seats can be a bit of a pain. I've had to slide my son's off-center so that I can buckle him in. Usually once I get him buckled in I can slide the seat back to the center. My boys are very "independent" (stubborn), so it's very important that they be able to buckle themselves in without my help.
i dunno...i just thought that was kinda the way things are....lol. still easier than a 5 pt harness, imo!
i will say that my son was 5 before he could buckle himself...so...i just did it for him. we really celebrated when he was finally able to start doing it himself :)
I have found that sometimes when the kids get in their boosters they push them over a bit and cover up the buckle part. you need to pull the seat over a bit to plug it in and he'll have to learn to be careful when he gets in and eventually he will be able to buckle himself in.
I have a really slim booster (Recaro Vivo) and it is still a PITA in our Corolla. The problem is that the "buckle receptor" isn't long enough or doesn't stick out far enough.... I don't think DD will ever be able to buckle herself in.
It has gotten easier as we get more practice doing it... not going to buy a new car because of it!
BTW if the thingy is long enough but just wobbly try taking a rubber band and fixing it to the armrest of the seat.
Good luck.
Yeah I was kinda wondering if maybe the seat was just too big for your car. I know Britax is a good brand but maybe you'll have to find something skinnier! My daughter's high back booster fits perfectly in the seat and she can easily get the seatbelt on and off by herself. It's so helpful!! I believe ours is a Graco, been a while since I really paid attention, and it was ranked very high in safety ratings.
I am confused why you have your Britax Frontier85 on booster mode if he still fits in the harness? I can't imagine wanting to buckle a booster each day, yikes!!! If your child is at least 6 and 40 lbs., and can sit properly, a booster can be safe option.
But, you have the highest harnessed seat on the market. Unless he's outgrown the harness (maybe age 8 or 9), use it. You'll thank yourself. And he'll be in position 100% of the time so you won't have to worry.
I have read that this seat does not fit well as a booster for kids until they nearly outgrow the harness, so I imagine for most kids it's best as a booster for ages 8 to 11. Until then, use the harness and stay sane! :)
Yeah, the booster is wide or gets pushed over against the buckle receptor latch thingy. My son now knows that when he is having trouble, he has to get up and slide the booster over just a little bit and try again. He can get it every time now.
