If I don't have LATCH in my car, what do I do?

Question

I want to purchase the Fisher Price safe voyage deluxe car seat. Its been rated well for safety and everyone that has one likes it. The problem is, every review I see on ANY car seat says that the seat really doesn't seem secure without LATCH holding the seat in.
Now, I'm getting really worried. My car doesn't have latch. Neither does my husband's truck, or her grandparent's vehichles. Our cars are 98 and older, but theirs are newer. I ead on consumer reports that you need to make sure a car seat doesn't move and inch in any given direction when you install it. Her infant seat moved ALL OVER the place because it couldn't be used with latch. The whole thing flipped upwards! And the police told me it was installed right! What am i going to do? Do I ahve to go out and get a new car or what??

Ummmm, I was being sarcastic. Sorry, I can't afford a new car. Its kinda disheatening to see my first answer saaid to do just that. Would be nice, but, no can do. I guess I should feel like a bad mom cause I can't afford a new car, because a 98 or older is "un-safe"?

Answer 1

You can absolutely use the seatbelt safely, and most car seats come with a metal locking clip to use on the seatbelt to make it more secure.

In some cities, you can go to your local firehall to have a carseat properly installed - you might want to find out if anyone does that in your area.

Answer 2

I just wanted to say that both of our cars are older than '98 so we don't have latch. LATCH is easy and convenient, but you can still get a good installation without it. Call around to your fire department or health department, I know that where I live they do free car seat inspections and will help you install your seat. I know you said the police said it was OK, but I'd go find someone else to help you. another thing that helped was a towel under the seat, it helped our seat not move so much. Look into the extra belt clips the other answers mentioned.

We use the Graco Snug-Ride, which is the highest rated infant car seat in Consumer Reports.

Answer 3

I own the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Convertible Car Seat and love this seat. Anyway, i do have the LATCH system. I know that you can install it without the LATCH system. My niece owns the same car seat and she does not have the LATCH system. You made a good choice by buying this seat. Go to the police station and have them help you install the seat. Just make sure that it doesn't move side to side, or up and down more than an inch. Please go to this website to learn more about car seat safety: www.kyledavidmiller.org.

Answer 4

The main thing about LATCH is that it is EASY!!! (relatively speaking)

Otherwise, as you can see from some of the long answers, it can be difficult to get the seats in good and tight. Additionally, for some reason the rear facing position seems even more difficult.

For your first car seat, you might want to look into finding a place that installs them for you. I think our local Children's Hospital does it by appointment only on certain days.

While they are not cheap, I can tell you that the Britax car seats seem to be a little easier to put in yourself than may others. This mainly comes from the way the seat clamps onto the belt after you have it in place compared to the clips you have to position first, then try to buckle the belt (they work, but #@&! it's hard.

Answer 5

It will move around even if it "looks" like it's installed correctly. You need to put the seat in and put your weight into the seat to make sure it is pressed securely into the cushions of your car. then run the seat belt through and pull it tight.
You then need to unbuckle the seat belt but be sure you keep ahold of it so you know where it was tight exactly and place the metal lock clip about three inches from the seat belt buckle. If you don't see one on the back of the car seat you can buy them for about 3 dollars from any baby shop or online from the car seat manufacturer. The locking clip is what will keep the seat belt from getting loose and allowing the car seat to move around. After the clip is on the seat belt put your weight back into the car seat and rebuckle the seat belt.
It is more involved installing a car seat using the seat belt but it is doable. Also your car seat should have came with instructions. That instruction manual will have directions and pictures to show you what I explained above. If you don't have that onhand you can go to the manufacturer's website and download a copy of it for free generally.
In the end if you can't get it tight then you need to return the carseat. Not every car seat will fit every car configuration.

Answer 6

If you don't have a latch ( my fiancee doesn't either) the manufacturer puts a clip in the box and it secures the seatbelt to keep it tight and taught so the car seat doesn't move around. It works well for cars/trucks without latches. A clip in my opinion is a bit more affordable than going out to purchase a new car with a latch.

Answer 7

You should be able to install a seat without LATCH using the seatbelts. Check your seat, there may be a little metal brace that detaches from the seat and anchors the seatbelt more securly (Evenflo seats have this).

Answer 8

go to the red cross they will help you install the seat so that it can be used safely. if they cant get it to install correctly they will usually give you a new one that is safe. good luck

Answer 9

You should get a new car. Car seats are most secure with LATCH - seat belts will just have the car seat flopping around and are very dangerous. Besides, newborn babies shouldn't be driven around in old cars. Get something newer but not too expensive like a Toyota Corolla or a Honda Civic. They are economical too.