Question I'm sure there is a good reason but ? ? ?

kidnurse · Jun 19, 2012

If chest clips are "precrash positioners", why do we get so upset at "belly clips"?

TechnoGranola · Jun 19, 2012

Because it isn't keeping the harness on the shoulders if it's at the belly. Worst case, a belly clip could allow the harness to fall off the shoulders and a child to be ejected. Of course the risk is minimized with a properly tightened harness.

Sent from my iPhone using Car-Seat.Org

thekatie · Jun 19, 2012

When I asked this ages ago, I was told the biggest reason is that the sternum is strong enough that in a crash, the clip won't hurt a baby / toddler / child, but if it's against the stomach, the crash forces could really injure the kid. And of course that it keeps the harness straps in position, but a chest clip isn't absolutely necessary for that (I asked after the Britax recall where parents were instructed to just remove the clip until a replacement was sent).

TechnoGranola · Jun 19, 2012

I was thinking of cases like the TF where the straps are very widset on many infants. I got the seat when DD was almost 2 and the straps would slide off her shoulders without the chest clip bringing them together. That is the first seat I was ever so thankful that chest clips were standard here.

Sent from my iPhone using Car-Seat.Org

ketchupqueen · Jun 19, 2012

Of course, where they're not, they don't design the straps so wide.

I'd say the TF is one of the exceptions. Most seats have straps that are close enough together they sit on the shoulders fine without (except on some very small or skinny kids.)

bobandjess99 · Jun 19, 2012

some of us don't

honestly, with very few child/seat combinations, IF the harness is tightened properly, the chest clip isn't all that important, IMO. I tend to allow my kids' to be much lower than what is commonly favored on this board, although still above "belly clip" level.

carseatcoach · Jun 19, 2012

bobandjess99 said:
some of us don't

honestly, with very few child/seat combinations, IF the harness is tightened properly, the chest clip isn't all that important, IMO. I tend to allow my kids' to be much lower than what is commonly favored on this board, although still above "belly clip" level.

Yeah. Belly clips aren't on my list of things to panic about. I use(d) chest clips properly, and teach proper use, but IMO there are usually much more important things to worry about.

An Aurora · Jun 19, 2012

I agree, belly clips aren't high on my panic list, although I do hate to see them over the xiphoid as I can envision it causing liver damage, but I think that's extremely unlikely.

ketchupqueen · Jun 19, 2012

I do mention where they should be when showing parents, but they don't panic me unless the straps are obviously loose and malpositioned with the chest clip low.

Question I'm sure there is a good reason but ? ? ?

kidnurse

Active member

TechnoGranola

Forum Ambassador

thekatie

New member

TechnoGranola

Forum Ambassador

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

bobandjess99

Senior Community Member

carseatcoach

Carseat Crankypants

An Aurora

Senior Community Member

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Sponsors

Forum statistics