unlatching chest strap- Britax..HELP!

july29bride

My 21 month old is now obsessed everytime we get in the car to unlatch the chest strap of his britax marathon and take his arms out... Any suggestions on what I can do?!!! It is driving me crazy as well as it being not safe at all! Thanks!

emiliemadison

Some kids realize it's fun to get a reaction for doing this, so make sure that the only thing you do is to say "No, that's not safe" and redo it and dont make a big deal. To help prevent him doing it, try putting his coat or a zippered sweatshirt backwards over him after he's buckled, so he doesnt have access to the clip.

However, if your LO can actually get his arms out of the straps, the harness is too loose. The chest clip is just a pre-crash positioner, intended to keep the straps in the correct place, and will usually break during a crash. But if the straps are tight enough, then your LO shouldnt be able to get his arms out of the straps anyway. The harness should be tight enough that you cannot pinch any of the strap (top to bottom) when you test it right at his shoulder. "Snug as a Hug". That might solve the entire issue right there

july29bride

Thanks so much for the info. When you say put the coat or sweatshirt backwards over him.. what do you mean by that?  I do have the harness really tight but somehow he literally squeezes his arms through it.. hmmm...

emiliemadison

By backwards, I mean:

Buckle him in, then turn his coat around so that the back of the coat is now in the front, then put his arms through the sleeves so that it's on "backwards"!    This is actually the safest way for a child to stay warm in the car in the winter anyway, since they should not wear coats under their harness straps.

july29bride

Awesome! Ill try that.. thanks for your help!