[melodypond]

Hoping to get some advice re the best restraints for my little people.

I have a 3 year old who is 112 cm and 18.6kg. He is in the Babylove Ezycombo and while checking the seat instructions about something else I see that the maximum weight for this restraint is 18kg.

So I guess I am in the market for a new restraint for him.

I also have a 5 month old, 8.5kg - not sure on length but is on the bigger side. She is still in her capsule but looks very cramped in there and I think it is time to move on to a bigger seat - would prefer a convertable that I can keep RF as long as possible then FF.

I am a bit overwhelmed by choice at the moment but my biggest concern is safety, then cost obviously. I find it hard to work out which seats are currently the safest - I think the CREP are not current?

We have a Hyundai i30 which has a reasonable amount of space in the back seats but its not a huge car.

Would be grateful for any advice!

Thanks

[lsolaBella]

So long as you 3yo still fits heightwise (ie shoulders no more then 2.5cm above top shoulder strap) as although officially they put 'up to 18kgs' on the seats for inbuilt 5pt harnesses they are tested with 22kgs test dummies, I would continue to use the Ezy Combo in 5pt harness mode.

http://www.ntc.gov.au/filemedia/bulletins/...ildrenFeb08.pdf

A child restraint is technically safe for 97% of children up to 4 years old based on their 22kg test rating.

http://www.infa-secure.com.au/faqs/index.p...&artlang=en

forward-facing (Type B) child restraints with an inbuilt harness are tested above the recommended weight (18kg) with a 22 kg dummy used which is equivelent to an average 6 year old child.

http://www.childrestraints.co.nz/documents...ax_Bulletin.pdf

Convertibles and Convertible Booster seats provide a harness for children up to 18 kg. These
seats are tested to 22 kg so staying in them a little longer, say to 20 kg will not overload the seat **

(** we cannot recommend these higher weights for occupants but we can tell the consumer
that they are tested to this weight.)

The above is why the 2010 standard seats now have height markers rather then weight limits as mentioned above 97% of 4yo are below 22kgs in weight (which is what the seats are tested to.



As for bubs, personal preference is for New 2010 Standard SnS Compaq. It has nice high RF and FF markers so will last longer in both modes compared to other seats (even the Meridian).

As you saw CREP are behind the times with all the new 2010 standard seats out on the Market.

[melodypond]

Thank you IsolaBella, your info is so helpful.

I was looking at the Compaq for my bub so will likely go with this one after reading through these forums I see it appears to be a highly recommended seat.

You seem very knowledgable about car restraints so I wonder if you can help me :-

The reason I was looking at the instructions of the Babylove Ezycombo was that I have noticed that the buckle tongues do not clip into the buckle until both tongues are in. That is, if I put one tongue in the buckle, there is no click, and it easily comes out again, until I have put the other tongue in - it will then click securely.

I purchased this seat when I was 8 months pregnant and being the large kid my 3 year old is, my partner was always putting him into the seat for me so I wasn't lifting him. So it was only recently I have noticed this possible problem with the buckle. I have looked and am unable to find the answer as to whether this is the way the buckle is suppose to operate - none of my other seats do this. My partner can't remember if its always been that way.

I will contact the manufacturer for clarification but wonder if you know? I do not want to use the seat if the buckle is potentially faulty.

Thanks for your advice!

[lsolaBella]

I don't have an EzyCombo but like you all seats I have used have independent clicking of buckle. Try removing the buckle and rinsing it.

Cleaning the Harness Buckle is page 45 of the manual

http://www.babylove.com.au/files/IYNYOI728...yCombo_2010.pdf

[melodypond]

I don't have an EzyCombo but like you all seats I have used have independent clicking of buckle. Try removing the buckle and rinsing it.

Cleaning the Harness Buckle is page 45 of the manual

http://www.babylove.com.au/files/IYNYOI728...yCombo_2010.pdf

Thank you!

[rrt1000]

I have the babylove Ezycombo, I think your buckle might be faulty, as ours buckled in seperatly. I would give them a call or email.

The seat can be used upto 26kgs, and the harness 18kgs. Like the previous poster said, you should be able to continue using the harness,I think all of these type of seats have a 18kg limit on the inbuilt safety harness. Our child used it till she was around 20kgs, we mainly swapped over to the seatbelt because she was getting too tall for the straps to fit comfortably, but she was 4 and a half, so it was ok to do so.

Good luck

[melodypond]

Thanks rrt1000, I am fairly sure it is faulty and the fact that yours doesn't do it suggests it is. I can't think of a reason it would not click in with just one tongue in.

Thanks!

[g_uzica]

Thanks for bringing up the issue regarding the buckle as I've just realised that one of my buckles could be faulty too!!

I'm cleaning it for the second time now, but I'm not holding out that it'll work, now off to call SnS about a replacement.

[rrt1000]

Thanks rrt1000, I am fairly sure it is faulty and the fact that yours doesn't do it suggests it is. I can't think of a reason it would not click in with just one tongue in.

Thanks!

Your welcome!