Max 30lbs rear facing correct?!

[Shanora]

Ok, so I went out on my search today looking for the new Triumph (I'll post about that later...lol), and went into Babies R Us in Barrie (ontario), to see if they were getting them in there (I've heard rumors...). While I was waiting to talk to the Car seat Tech, she was talking to a new mom about moving up from an infant seat to a 3-in-1 seat.

While they were talking I was listening...figure it can't hurt to get more knowledge...lol and the mom asked about staying rear-facing....well the tech replied by law its 1 year of age...but we recommend you keep them in the seat until they are 13-14 months old. I spoke up and said "to a max weight of 30 pounds" to which she (the tech) looked at me, and said, no, until you max out the strap for weight....so about 40 to 47 pounds." I just looked at her and said " Uh, no as far as I understand the max weight rear facing is 30lbs....and that it" She then again told me " No, 40-47lbs...." I told her " Uh, I have to disagree"

Now I don't know...but maybe I missed something somewhere, and I want to give her the benefit of doubt here....but REALLY?? I'm pretty sure that its only MAX 30lbs rear-facing (depending on the manual of course).

I was stunned...this poor mom is looking back and forth between the 2 of us, as well as her DH and her parents......I should have said to her, to make sure she reads her manual and follow the guidelines in there.....she didn't know what to do....

Than when I finally was able to ask the tech about the Triumph Advance, I had mention to her that I wanted to keep my DS in it as long as possible, and seeing as its got a higher weight limit I wanted to get this one.....

She looked at me, and said, well when he out grows the 40lbs seat you have, just move him into a Booster.....

I told her "Well a step up in seats is a step down in safety"....She told me I was wrong and that a booster was just as safe as a harness seat......

AHHHHHHH I was so mad when I left there I forgot to get her name, so I could call the store and complain....*sigh*

If she really is certified, am I missing something.....is this all correct....cause everything that I have read states that she is giving wrong information....

*sigh*

[snowbird25ca]

Well, I know that BRU/TRU here in Canada advertises as having car seat techs on staff. However, I'm not positive on if they're trained through the SJA program and I know not everyone who works in the department is certified, so it's possible she may not have actually been certified.

You are correct that there are no seats on the market to purchase that have rf'ing weight limits above 30lbs. In fact, there are only a few seats that have 47lb limits and the 3in1 seat the mom was looking at has only a 40lb limit in the harness, so the employee was giving out incorrect and dangerous information.

You are also correct about every step "up" from rf'ing to ff'ing and ff'ing to booster is a step down in safety. That being said, a child who has outgrown the ff'ing limits of their car seat and is old enough, big enough, and mature enough is safe in a booster seat. It's not that a booster seat is unsafe, it's just that it's less safe in comparison to a harnessed seat. I will say though, that the points of moving from one stage to another offering less safety was not something focused on in class. It is possible for a tech coming out of the SJA course to feel that a booster is just as safe as a 5pt harness provided a child is 40lbs.

I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad experience, but have to admit to being excited at how many of the triumph advance they have on order. :o

Maybe the mom & dad will be confused enough that they'll come online looking for help and get the correct information. You did what you could and there's no need to ever feel bad about trying to correct misinformation in a calm situation like you were in. :thumbsup:

[Patriot201]

The BRUs in the U.S. have MANY MANY errors on their signs. They have all the Evenflo seats listed as having a 30-pound RF limit, the Britax Diplomat listed as having a 33-pound RF limit, and the Graco Snugride listed as having a 20-pound RF limit. :rolleyes:

[Shanora]

I did see their SJA certifications posted...but didn't check the names.....

*sigh* Its moments like that, that really push me to getting certified....lol...(just have to find out where and when...lol)


Yeah I'm excited they have so many on order...however she couldn't tell me when they were coming....as there was no date....but YAY!! Can't wait until I find one to buy!

[hipmaman]

I did see their SJA certifications posted...but didn't check the names.....

*sigh* Its moments like that, that really push me to getting certified....lol...(just have to find out where and when...lol)


Yeah I'm excited they have so many on order...however she couldn't tell me when they were coming....as there was no date....but YAY!! Can't wait until I find one to buy!

Yikes!!!

Even I argue with some techs who are clueless. Too bad I'm only a senior tech and not an instructor or someone who can strip them of their certification:mad: