Car Seat Question - He’s grown out of it?

So I decided to ask a couple questions re: our carseat when I was at Baby Factory recently. Luckily the lady who was serving me was an expert in this area (Plunket ...carseats etc etc)

So we have a Safe 'n' Sound Guardian seat, Lucas has been in it since birth basically. He's coming up 15 months. The strap are on the top setting.

The woman tells me I should be looking at the next seats up/booster seats WHEN the shoulder strap slots are below the top of bub's shoulders at the back. So we take him out to the car and sure enough the top of his shoulders are about 1.5cms higher than the strap slot. Apparently this is dangerous? ...not recommended? A sign that he is TOO BIG for this carseat now?

Can I just ask, is this the right thing to go by? I remember when he was in the capsule he grew out of that quickly, and it was the same reasoning. By about 3 months his torso/shoulder height had far exceeded the height of the top shoulder strap slots.

I think my boy has a long torso to be honest, his legs are short ...(mind you, they still fit the length of size 2 pants so can't be THAT short) ...and he's anywhere between 13.5-14kg depending when ya weigh him.

The maximum weight on the carseat he has atm is 18kgs but the lady told me that weight sometimes isn't a good indication, it's whatever comes first (weight or exceeding height of shoulder straps).

Anyone else have any expertise in this or similar experiences?

I'm told this carseat is the type I should be looking at buying.

What do you think?

TIA

Yeah this carseat was the one she demonstrated in the shop. It wasn't just a really good price and fairly reputable brand, it was also really secure ...the unique system it uses to strap into your car. It doesn't use the tether straps, but the shoulder seatbelt of your car interweaves in/out of the car seat and is really stable with a locking clip. And it looked much nicer than the other WAY MORE EXPENSIVE brands ....hmm I sound like I'm already sold LOL

Mum2Lucas wrote: The woman tells me I should be looking at the next seats up/booster seats WHEN the shoulder strap slots are below the top of bub's shoulders at the back. So we take him out to the car and sure enough the top of his shoulders are about 1.5cms higher than the strap slot. Apparently this is dangerous? ...not recommended? A sign that he is TOO BIG for this carseat now?

This is correct - I'm safe to go trained and was amanager of The Baby Factory for 5 years. When the staps are coming from *behind/below* the shoulder that is when they are much easier to come off (and this would be when we would have customers coming in saying their child could 'escape' from the seat and 99% of the time this was the problem) - in fact they often slide off when like this.

As has been said weight isn't always the best indicator to go by, and one of the reasons manufactorers started bringing out the sort of seats you've been reccomended - just remember you only use the harness up to 18kg on these types of boosters after that you use it with the regular seatbelt - but as he's not heavy that should be a while away. If you prefer to stick to the safe n sound brand they do 2 seats similar to the one shown - the Maxi Rider II and the Explorer - but they are dearer.

You are right Jennz, I'd much rather a seat that is held in by the seatbelt AND tether strap system. I went to the trouble of getting it installed in my car for the carseat we have. I've never heard of that brand before though?

I love it though it's stats are very good & looks snazzy lol

Hmmm must go check Kylahs seat. Shes real long and her feet almost touch the back of the seat..

Just pm'd you

Mental note: must check Briona's height in the car seat!!!!

I am amazed at all how tall he is. I flicked to your linky and I am astounded at the (low) price of the recommended seat. Plain old booster seats are at least $70 and that's not with a harness (which you'd definitely need until 2 1/2 or 3yrs minimum) so I say go for it!

http://www.philandteds.com/nz/tott_07_1.htm

I hope this works

Ooo I like that car seat Kels, how much is it at BabyCity?

I wonder if anyone has any deals since its Queens B'day W/e? ...I know Farmers prob will but doubt they stock Phil & Teds. I'd much rather a car seat that is going to last longer

199 is pretty reasonable Kels, considering Safe 'n' Sound try and charge near to $300 upwards for theirs ...

My Guardian seat was $329, but I managed to grab it on spesh for $220 at Farmers, had it all bolted in my car and everything by the time i was 7 months preg. Talk about eager lol