Are there any seats that are easy for a child to tighten themselves?

Nedra

Car-Seat.org Ambassador
I think the title says it all. Are there any harnessed seats that a child can tighten for themselves? Is it possible to teach a child how to perform the pinch test on themselves and have them be in charge of tightening? At what age?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
ADS

AllieK

New member
For my kids in MIL's car we just don't loosen the harnesses when they get out. I help buckle them in a few times a week and make sure it's still tight enough. MIL now knows if the harness doesn't fit she needs to take off the kids' hoodies.

DS is 3yrs 9mo and he can buckle himself when he's willing. 75% of the time he refuses or claims "it's too hard!!" even though he easily does it the other 25% of the time. So far, I've seen him do it in the Maestro, Nautilus and MySize.
Posted via Mobile Device
 

Keeyamah

Active member
I wonder if teaching them to use a foot to help push the adjuster strap down. Grab it with hand, place foot on strap, push down with foot, since most need a downward motion to tighten.

As for age, my oldest was 5 before he would even try to buckle a harness and he had been buckling a booster for a couple months. He still, at 6, can't unbuckle a harness, for himself (not that he is in one anymore) or his younger brother. But his younger brother, at 3, is trying to buckle himself, just lacks the coordination and strength right now.
 

jjordan

Moderator
I rarely loosen/tighten the harness, so once a kid can buckle themselves then they are pretty independent.
 

Nedra

Car-Seat.org Ambassador
I rarely loosen/tighten the harness, so once a kid can buckle themselves then they are pretty independent.

In this case, I am thinking of a situation where the seat wouldn't always be used for the same child.
 

Dillipop

Well-known member
My niece is 5.5 and can harness herself and tighten the graco nautilus. She can harness herself and semi-tighten the britax frontier but I need to finish it.

My almost 5 year old can harness herself in the frontier, truefit, and foonf but is unable to tighten herself in any of them.

I would say that the foonf would be super easy for a kid to tighten themselves. That adjuster is smooth.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Carrie_R

Ambassador - CPS Technician
My nanny kids seem to be able to do this reliably in my ProSport. They usually move to it when they go FF, so shortly after their 4th birthdays, and I teach them how to loosen/tighten/buckle/unbuckle. Current NK just sometimes has trouble if the straps twist when he puts his arms in.

I don't have them pinch test themselves - I usually check - but as long as they tug the adjuster until it stops moving they're usually fine or very close to fine.
 

Keeanh

Well-known member
Nautilus is super easy to adjust. That might be your best bet. If it's the same kid using it, though, just leave the harness between uses.
 

babyherder

Well-known member
My cousin (he's 6 or 7 and super tiny) tightened the nautilus on himself so fast that I didn't even have a chance to try. It was probably tighter than I would have made it.
 

seb3244

New member
My average sized 3 yr 3 month old can tighten harness and tighten herself in her clek fllo. It is awesome. Although I still check it every time of course. If the straps get all twisty she will ask for help.
Tightening it is super easy. I think I could put my finger in the loop and tighten it with my pinky.
 

Nedra

Car-Seat.org Ambassador
Ok, good to know about the Foonf/Fllo and Nautilus. I'm wondering if the Go Hybrid would be good for this too -- because the hip straps pull up instead of down?
 

Baylor

New member
I never really played with the harness except when they had on more clothing or less. They knew how it was supposed to feel and would tell me if it was too loose.

Loved the Nautilus. They are great for almost all kids.
 

aeormsby

New member
I'm not sure the go would be easy for kids. Possibly, but there are two and it's important to pull the slack down from the chest area first.

My DD used to get her old MA tight using her foot like the PP described. IME this is something that completely depends on the kid's motivation though, DS was never interested in even attempting to tighten his seat.
 

Nedra

Car-Seat.org Ambassador
I'm not sure the go would be easy for kids. Possibly, but there are two and it's important to pull the slack down from the chest area first.

Yeah, this was something I thought about too (the question of "would it be easier to pull the slack up to the shoulders, or down to the hips?")
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,655
Messages
2,196,895
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top