Question Toddler unlocking car seat when driving

U

Unregistered

Guest
Hi, my 17 month only has learned how to unlock her chest strap and wiggle out of her seat belts in her car seat. Her sister carseated in next to her is screaming and cannot get it back mid drive. I had too many emergency stops today! Any advise? Can I super glue the chest clip?

Info:
17months
24 lbs
Rear facing
Graco forever
Chest clip
Sits 3 across (big sisters 5 years old, 40lbs in dionos on driver seat and center) toddler is in passenger side. I know it’s not the best but for loading into the suv it’s the only way my body can do it.

Any suggestions? Thank you!
 
ADS

murphydog77

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Hi. Kids do this for a variety of reasons from being annoying little turds to trying to make themselves comfortable because their carseat isn't adjusted properly. Let's look at how the carseat is adjusted first to make sure it isn't a comfort issue.

  • Harness strap slots: her harness straps should be coming from just at or below her shoulders. If they're too low on the 4Ever, the sides of the headwings will be crammed into her shoulders.
  • Harness tightness: the straps should be snug enough so that you can't take a horizontal pinch in them above the chest clip. If they're too tight, kids who have sensory issues will feel crushed. If they're too loose, they're too easy to get out of and a child can fly out of a seat in a crash. I'll post a graphic to show how to do the pinch test.
  • Chest clip: should be right at armpits.


OK, fitment is out of the way. If this is a developmental issue and she's discovered a new "skill" (yay!), tell her she can only help buckle and unbuckle when she's getting in and out of the seat at stops then reward her. It's a bit like dog training, lol. Keep busy toys in the car that she can play with only on drives and switch them out so she doesn't get bored with them. It will take a bit of persistence on your part, but hopefully she'll start playing along with you and be your ally in this :).
 

Attachments

  • Pinch Test.jpg
    Pinch Test.jpg
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