New phase-DS is getting arms out of car seat straps

KDR1979

My kids are still rear facing (32 months old). We have Britax Boulevards and they can RF until 40lbs.DS head measurement has always been 90-98th percentile and our pedi recommended keeping him RF as long as possible.

Well, his new thing is slipping his arms out of the straps. It makes me so nervous! I think his straps are appropriately tight. I think he likes to lean forward to look out the window.

Any suggestions on how to stop this??

eyenigh

Something isn't right if he can get his arms out. If the straps are at his shoulder blade and secured with the chest clip at armpit level, it should be nearly impossible to move in such a way to get arms out. If you think he is properly buckled in, do you have him in a puffy coat or jacket that he's compressing to make more space?

KDR1979

Nope, he is never in a winter coat while in the car seat. chest clip is up high. He can push the chest clip down though.

ASmallWonder

If he can move the chest clip it's possible for him to wiggle out, unfortunately.  However, he's at an age where it has to be treated like any other undesirable activity.  You can try putting a button up shirt over his harness if he can't do buttons.  At least, it may slow him down (technician )

thechickencoop

He shouldn't be able to lean forward if his straps are tight enough.  If he wants to see out the window could you try positioning one of those mirrors for him?  It sounds like he just needs to be tightened in more so that he can't wriggle free.

eyenigh

KDR1979 said:

Nope, he is never in a winter coat while in the car seat. chest clip is up high. He can push the chest clip down though.

Ah, yeah, pushing the chest clip down definitely makes the difference. To preface this, I am extremely pro-extended rear facing. My son is huge and I kept him rear facing in his Clek Foonf until he was about 29/30 months when he was within an inch of the height limit. If he was a small kid, and it was going well, I'd have kept him rear facing longer. However, to me, if it was a matter of him being rear facing and getting out of his straps when I couldn't see him, I think I'd consider flipping him to keep an eye on him. The change of perspective might cure him of escaping, too. You've made it well past 2, which is definitely good.