Andie
09-21-2008, 03:50 PM
I received this pm at one of my mom groups:
"hello, i saw your replies in dec 07 mommies group and wanted your opinion/help. my daughter's car seat base was inspected by the fire department and everything, but i notice that it shifts because of the hump in the back seat. her base has been taken out and used in other cars, but i never adjusted the seat belt so it should be right back where it needs to be. but if i sit in back with her, i can push her whole set-up over a couple inches to make room for myself. she sits in the middle cos i believe that's the safest spot for her, and she wouldn't be able to sit behind driver/passenger anyway because of room. do you think i need to pad it with towels or something? i didn't realize that it was "ok" to do that if needed. and, we just don't have the money right now to get a whole new seat- plus, she still fits just fine, even though she's beginning to be too tall for the head rest (which is removable). thanks for any help- it's too overwhelming to try and sort through all the info available, and it's nice when i can ask someone who has a child the same age as mine."
I replied back with this:
"You shouldn't "pad" it with towels. The only time a towel is ok, is one, rolled up under the base to help with the recline. Was it tight after the FD installed it? As long as it moves no more than 1 inch at the belt path, it is an acceptable install-if you can move it 2", it sounds like it is too loose. Can you try reinstalling and tightening the base yourself? Also, are you sure they were certified techs at the FD? Sometimes they try to help, but are not techs-they may not know the "tricks" a tech may know. If you cannot get the seat installed correctly in the middle, you may have to put it on the side, the safest place is where you can get the best install. What vehicle do you drive and what seat do you have? I can go ask at my other car seat board, if you don't mind, and get more ideas/suggestions."
She has this seat:
http://images2.cafemom.com/images/user/gallery/post_1098774_1222024377_med.jpg?imageId=9694476
I'm assuming it is a snugride.
And a '98 Jeep Grand Cherokee. She said she tried a couple FD's and just assumed they knew what they were doing. She is going to try and tighten the seat, she said that it moves at the back of the car seat, not the belt path, so I assured her this is ok. She also says she can't remember it being loose at before they moved it, so I'm hoping if she goes out and reinstalls it, it will be ok. I have no experience with a Grand Cherokee or the hump she is talking about. I will be sending her the link to find a CPST in her area, but in the meantime I'd like some advice from you guys on this.
Thanks!
"hello, i saw your replies in dec 07 mommies group and wanted your opinion/help. my daughter's car seat base was inspected by the fire department and everything, but i notice that it shifts because of the hump in the back seat. her base has been taken out and used in other cars, but i never adjusted the seat belt so it should be right back where it needs to be. but if i sit in back with her, i can push her whole set-up over a couple inches to make room for myself. she sits in the middle cos i believe that's the safest spot for her, and she wouldn't be able to sit behind driver/passenger anyway because of room. do you think i need to pad it with towels or something? i didn't realize that it was "ok" to do that if needed. and, we just don't have the money right now to get a whole new seat- plus, she still fits just fine, even though she's beginning to be too tall for the head rest (which is removable). thanks for any help- it's too overwhelming to try and sort through all the info available, and it's nice when i can ask someone who has a child the same age as mine."
I replied back with this:
"You shouldn't "pad" it with towels. The only time a towel is ok, is one, rolled up under the base to help with the recline. Was it tight after the FD installed it? As long as it moves no more than 1 inch at the belt path, it is an acceptable install-if you can move it 2", it sounds like it is too loose. Can you try reinstalling and tightening the base yourself? Also, are you sure they were certified techs at the FD? Sometimes they try to help, but are not techs-they may not know the "tricks" a tech may know. If you cannot get the seat installed correctly in the middle, you may have to put it on the side, the safest place is where you can get the best install. What vehicle do you drive and what seat do you have? I can go ask at my other car seat board, if you don't mind, and get more ideas/suggestions."
She has this seat:
http://images2.cafemom.com/images/user/gallery/post_1098774_1222024377_med.jpg?imageId=9694476
I'm assuming it is a snugride.
And a '98 Jeep Grand Cherokee. She said she tried a couple FD's and just assumed they knew what they were doing. She is going to try and tighten the seat, she said that it moves at the back of the car seat, not the belt path, so I assured her this is ok. She also says she can't remember it being loose at before they moved it, so I'm hoping if she goes out and reinstalls it, it will be ok. I have no experience with a Grand Cherokee or the hump she is talking about. I will be sending her the link to find a CPST in her area, but in the meantime I'd like some advice from you guys on this.
Thanks!