Squeaky McMurdo
New member
Any ideas? Before I became more informed about car seat safety I had a tiny safety pin on one side of the harness right below the clip. Is this acceptable?
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Keeping child from pushing chest clip down
- Thread starter Squeaky McMurdo
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turtlemama
New member
I don't know how comfortable you would be with this (and call the manufacturer first to ok it with them) but I just removed the chest clips on my seats. This only works if you make sure the harness is tight every time. You don't want to be able to pinch any slack horizontally at the collar bone, and I find it helpful to also make sure you cannot fit more than 1 finger under the harness at the collar bone. You have to check for tightness every single time though. Also make sure to pull out all the slack from the hip area before checking for tightness.
I called the manufacturer of my seats first to make sure they didn't have a problem with me not using the chest clips. Safety 1st says it is ok not to use them.
Also the reason I did this is because from what I have read on here, it is safer to not have a chest clip at all than it is to have one on the belly or neck.
I have also heard that attaching a piece of velcro to the chest clip makes it uncomfortable for the child to touch and they will leave it alone.
I called the manufacturer of my seats first to make sure they didn't have a problem with me not using the chest clips. Safety 1st says it is ok not to use them.
Also the reason I did this is because from what I have read on here, it is safer to not have a chest clip at all than it is to have one on the belly or neck.
I have also heard that attaching a piece of velcro to the chest clip makes it uncomfortable for the child to touch and they will leave it alone.
ajewel
New member
How old is the child in question? If they're over 2, then it's a discipline issue. If they're under 2 (or are developmentally delayed/autistic, etc), then I would either:
a) move the shoulder pads from the shoulders and put them under the chest clip (although some people don't like this option, it can be a good temporary solution)
b) put a zip up coat on the child, unzip it (but leave it on), put the child in the harness, then zip the coat up OVER the harness (safety pinning the zipper on the coat if necessary)
c) use the scratchy side of the velcro on the clip, but make sure it doesn't interfere with the clip at all.
d) give toys to distract from the chest clip.
I think there's one or two more tips I've forgotten, but those are a start any way.
If the child is old enough to understand DON'T TOUCH IT, then it's a discipline issue. Any time you see the child messing with the clip, immediately pull over & don't move the car until the clip is in the proper position. Explain to your child that the clip should not be played with, and the car doesn't run unless (he or she) is properly buckled in their seat.
a) move the shoulder pads from the shoulders and put them under the chest clip (although some people don't like this option, it can be a good temporary solution)
b) put a zip up coat on the child, unzip it (but leave it on), put the child in the harness, then zip the coat up OVER the harness (safety pinning the zipper on the coat if necessary)
c) use the scratchy side of the velcro on the clip, but make sure it doesn't interfere with the clip at all.
d) give toys to distract from the chest clip.
I think there's one or two more tips I've forgotten, but those are a start any way.
If the child is old enough to understand DON'T TOUCH IT, then it's a discipline issue. Any time you see the child messing with the clip, immediately pull over & don't move the car until the clip is in the proper position. Explain to your child that the clip should not be played with, and the car doesn't run unless (he or she) is properly buckled in their seat.
Squeaky McMurdo
New member
She'll be 3 next month. She's starting to understand and it only happens occasionally, mostly when we've stopped and Daddy gets out while I wait with the kids in the car. She'll do it in her sleep too. I just don't like her touching the clip at all because my husband isn't the best at adjusting anything and she's on his side of the car.
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