seatbelt VS LATCH system

sarlimes34 · December 2013

need the help of my A14 ladies please!

my sister posted an article on her facebook page about the new studies of not using the heavy winter coats, basically to shut up disbelieving family members. one of her girlfriend posted that she is a "carseat nazi!" and she uses the LATCH system and the seatbelt to hook her carseat, completely changing the tone and direction of the comments. well it just so happens that i got my travel system yesterday and was excited to put it together and had to read the manual to figure anything out (FTM). in the directions with my seat it clearly stated to use either the LATCH system or the seatbelt, not both. upon further investigation, i learned that using both can put extra stress on the base and during a crash could cause the base to crack causing more damage instead of protecting your child. well i commented that it's usually best to check the manual and most say to use one or the other, not both.

so, my question to you ladies is have you, either from personal experience or from your own reasearch, found that using both is recommended? do you prefer one over the other?

Twirple · December 2013

Using both is definitely NOT recommended. I use the LATCH system with DS's car seat, and will continue to use it until the combination of DS and the seat gets up to 65lbs, then I'll switch to using the seat belt.

sarlimes34 · December 2013

she stated that she has a rear facing convertable seat and its twice the protection so she is good. she ended up turning the whole thing around and cussed me out for saying anything!

"well, just because you have a carseat and it says not to do that doesn't mean my seat doesnt, since i doubt you have read every car seat manual out there"

i seriously wanted to TP this bitch through the computer!!

strawberrytree · December 2013

Yes, it is never recommended to use both LATCH and the seatbelt to install. Our seat is installed with the belt, since our SUV only has LATCH on the two rear side seats and not in the middle. Make sure you read not just your car seat manual, but also your car manual to make sure the seat is installed correctly. We're not sure how we will configure things with two carseats- either one in the middle installed with the belt and one behind the driver or passenger side with LATCH, or one behind the driver and one behind the passenger both installed with LATCH.

myschlove · December 2013

Quick question, when you say latch system are you taking about the base or that extra strap that comes with your car seat for cars that don't have a middle seatbelt? Because I always thought that's what that strap was for! And in that case we used the seatbelt but def not both!

Rrrrrachel · December 2013

Yeah never both. Latch isn't for cars that don't have seat belts, it's just an alternative to a seatbelt. They're allegedly easier to use. Both are equally safe, when used correctly, but the idea is that latch is easier to use correctly. Unfortunately, between people doubling up and borrowing outside latch anchors for middle seating positions when they shouldn't, not to mention ignoring the extra weight limits of latch, idk how often it's actually used correctly.

Rrrrrachel · December 2013

Also people who are too concerned with being right to take advice on their kids safety? Not much you can do for them.

myschlove · December 2013

awesome, thanks for the clarification!

MamaFantastic · December 2013

the only thing i have to add (because i agree with everything else) is that LATCH can be used successfully up until a certain weight limit (the limit should be inclusive of the car seat's weight PLUS the child's weight... i forget the exact number though), after which the seatbelt is the safest option. LATCH is only rated to a certain weight point. seat belts protect no mater the weight strain.

your sister needs to read her own manual. challenge her on it... ask her which exact brand and model year she has, and google the online manual for her seat. sounds like she's not going to be satisfied until you show her a link to the exact info that shows both systems should not be used simultaneously.

Emily041285 · December 2013

Which manual has the correct method to go with? I'm guessing the one for my car right? It's relatively new and has the latches in it.

Just wondering which manual would be considered the expert in this case.

MamaFantastic · December 2013

good point, emily. i'd assume you set up the seat in a way that doesn't violate any recommendations for either your seat OR your car (i.e. your seat may say it's rated for 65 pounds on LATCH, but if your car says only 55 pounds, go with the 55 pound rule).

Emily041285 · December 2013

That makes sense. His truck isn't as new and I've never even thought about putting a seat in there. Honestly I wouldn't have known my car had the latches if we didn't put my niece in the car. Her parents usually put it in for us.

Guess I should get the car manuals out. Never thought to do that. Thanks for all the help ladies!

homediva · December 2013

I would be more annoyed that someone used the word nazi to describe strict behavior. Hello, World War II was not something to be taken lightly. I can't stand when people use that word jokingly or otherwise!

And don't get me started on people using car seats incorrectly.

michaelad3 · December 2013

It doesn't matter which system you choose, but for the love of God, please make sure it's in tight! A car seat should not move. It should not rock from side to side! Sorry for the mini rant.
One nice things about seatbelts is that once they are locked, they continue to tighten with any movements, so they are usually pretty secure. Latching systems are just as secure, but you need to make sure it's really in there tightly

kwolslager · December 2013

Our car was made the year before they started putting latch systems in regularly. So ours doesn't have it even though the newer versions of our car do. So we just use the seat belts

But when I had DD1 I did own a car with a latch system. I used the latch and not the seat belt. Of course never both! it's really dangerous to use both.

cwm11985 · December 2013

I'm currently using the seatbelt; the middle seat of my car doesn't have LATCH (in fact, you really need to double check your car's manual...it APPEARS that latch is set up for my middle seat but after reading the manual it turns out those latches are for the outside seats only).

Serenla · December 2013

jellysparkles said:

I've never owned a vehicle with a LATCH system, so it's never been an issue for me. (/useless comment)

It isn't useless, your gifs add a lot to any discussion

.

RedDawnsRevenge · December 2013

https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152099334427767&id=56869167766&set=a.100366537766.88730.56869167766&source=46&__user=100000531820537

So I guess my car seat manufacturer says we should be using both with my seat. I have it incorrectly installed!!!

ckred27 · December 2013

I love the LATCH system, its going to be one of my main desicion makers when I decide which minivan to go with. Which one has LATCH for 4 of the back seats.....using LATCH and seatbelt kinda makes me thinking of trying to use two condoms for twice the protection.....[sorry crude joke

]

RedDawnsRevenge · December 2013

@lalamama81 I agree it's a bit vague. It seems that everyone is confused on the Clek site too.

Rrrrrachel · December 2013

I don't see how it could be that you HAVE to when not every car has latch, and certainly not in every position.

snowclouds · December 2013

Using both is NEVER recommended. All car seat experts as well as car seat manuals will have a bunch of warnings stating to use one or the other. Latch is the preferred one as it is anchored to your car, but if you can't get a tight enough fit with latch then using the seat belt is the safest option.

ETA: Most newer cars don't have latch in the middle seats so if you're installing your seat there you'll have to use the seat belt. The latch system is 2 metal clips that are in your seat which are bolted into the frame of your vehicle.

RedDawnsRevenge · December 2013

snowclouds said:
Using both is NEVER recommended. All car seat experts as well as car seat manuals will have a bunch of warnings stating to use one or the other. Latch is the preferred one as it is anchored to your car, but if you can't get a tight enough fit with latch then using the seat belt is the safest option.

Well that's kind of why I posted the link. My car seat manufacturer Clek and Ford ( I do not own a ford) recommend both. I'd check my owners Manuel's for my Fiat and my Suzuki but my daughter has hidden the keys....

boxerbabylove · December 2013

This is related to the Latch method and its safety. I guess with this knowledge I'm thinking I feel safer with the seatbelt rather than latch.

In 2014, new federal standards will require carseats to have another label. This label will limit the use of lower anchors to a maximum weight for a child. This child’s weight limit printed on each carseat, plus the weight of the carseat, must be 65 pounds combined, or less.

Thus, for any child seat that weighs over 25 pounds, it cannot be used with the lower anchors once the child is above 40 pounds (or less).

https://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/what-parents-need-to-know-about-new-child-car-seat-latch-rules.html

https://carseatblog.com/20202/weight-limits-the-death-of-latch/

summershanty · December 2013

A great group on FB for all seat belt related questions is Car Seats for the Littles. And yes, the Foonf is one of the only seats I know of that allows you to use seat belt and lower anchors IF your car also allows it.
https://www.facebook.com/CarSeatsForTheLittles
Also, Car-seat.org is a great forum for getting advice on installs and seats.

Want a personalized experience?

seatbelt VS LATCH system

Re: seatbelt VS LATCH system

Choose Another Board

Search Boards