My 20 month old WILL NOT stay in her car seat???

Question

I even went and bought one with the big padded lap bar, its harder to get out, but she still gets out! While driving down the road, she will get out, What can I do????

Answer 1

You may need to revert to the type that has lockable shoulder and crotch straps. My son was this way and we had to go back to that type for a while until he understood that the car seat was where his butt belonged while in the car.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Get a 5 point harness. My 5 year old daughter can get the center clip across her chest undone, but still doesn't have enough strength to push the button for the main buckle part of it.

The straps should fit snugly, you shouldn't be able to get more than 2 fingers between the straps and her shoulders.

The seats with the padded lap bar aren't nearly as safe in accident either, I'm surprised you where even able to find one, most stores don't carry them and very few are even manufactured any more.

IF she's still undoing the chest clip then I recommend duct tape. I've done it with my kids before. Anytime someone has managed to get out of their seat I immediately pull the car over and buckle them back in, I'm stern and let them know that it is NOT an ok thing to be doing.

Answer 3

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littleangelfire81
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I would never be quite as harsh as another answerer was, but I agree, this really is more of a discipline issue than any other. If she can get out of one seat, odds are she'll figure her way out of any seat on the market. Does this mean she shouldn't have to use one? Absolutely not! Here's what's worked for other people with the same problem:
Get ready to go somewhere that she likes to go (park, chuck e cheese, mcdonald's, ice cream, whatever) and tell her that's where you're going. Tell her that in 5 minutes you're going to go out to the car and put her in her car seat so you can go. When you put her in her seat, tell her that she doesn't get to go unless she stays in her seat. When you get in to drive, repeat that to her. The first time you see her trying to get out, pull over the car ASAP and tell her "Do you want to go to the park? Then you STAY in your seat. Or we will go home." If she still tries to get out - you guessed it. Turn around and go home. She's a little young, but after a few times of doing this she WILL get the message.

Make sure the harness is appropriately tight - to where you can't pinch together any fabric lengthwise (one finger on harness at shoulder, other finger below it, pinch). If you can pinch anything together, it needs to be tighter. That will make it harder for her to get out of. Make sure the chest clip is at armpit level, this makes it harder to get out of as well. Ditch the overhead shield (OHS) seat - it is not as safe as a 5 point harness seat.

Answer 4

How is she getting out of it?

You definitely want to use a 5 point harness seat and make sure the chest clip is at armpit height and the harness straps are tight enough that you can't pinch a horizontal fold at the shoulders.

Also try the link below for wonderful techs who can help you find a seat and solution.

Answer 5

I would say she has a problem doing what you need her to do. It's your responsibility to teach her that she needs to stay in the seat. It's either that, or do not take her in the car. Think how bad you would feel if something happened to her. Not trying to rag on you but, how is her behavior when not in the car seat?

Answer 6

Baby stores and even the larger toy stores will sell a plastic locking device to keep the belts buckled, even as the child tries to undo it. Well worth the reasonalble price to keep your child safe.

As some people have already pointed out, between you and the child, ONE of you has to be the adult.

Answer 7

someone has to win - good advice from a doctor 15 years ago

Answer 8

I don't suppose duct tape will work here...

Answer 9

Two words........DUCK TAPE>>>> :]