Has anyone used a seat belt extender like this with their booster seat? If you have any safety information please share. We are expecting baby number 2 next week and we have installed the infant seat base in the center and have our 4 year olds booster seat on the side. It is really hard to reach the seat belt buckle for the booster seat because the infant base is in the way. I saw this extender and wanted to give it a try but wanted to see if anyone else had experience with it first?
watermelon / 14467 posts
@Mrsbells: From what I'm reading, no booster allows the use of a seatbelt extender.
ETA: Can you install the booster on the opposite side to make it easier to buckle? Alternately, you could install the infant seat on the other side and leave the center position free. I've also been in the Car Seats for the Littles group and they usually recommend having your least protected child (in your case, your child in the booster) in the center position because that is the most protected seat position.
squash / 13199 posts
@avivoca: thanks, i'm looking online but not finding anything definitive. Please share any links if you find anything solid
watermelon / 14467 posts
@Mrsbells: Here's one:
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=208369
What type of booster do you have?
squash / 13199 posts
@avivoca: Thanks I'll check out that link. we have this Graco turbo booster
watermelon / 14467 posts
@Mrsbells: The manual for your booster says that you can only use the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt to secure the child to the seat. So I would assume that that means that a seat belt extender is a no-go.
watermelon / 14467 posts
@Mrsbells: No worries, I'm having to figure this out too! Our car is small (Nissan Versa), so there is no way we can have one in the middle and one on the side. Our DD1 will be FF on the passenger side and DD2 will be RF on the driver's side unless I can't drive with the car seat behind me. Then they will switch. Hopefully we will get a larger second car soon.
squash / 13199 posts
@avivoca: Yeah we have thought about having the infant seat behind the passenger side to make it easier to reach the buckle, although I like it in the middle since I'm convinced the middle is the safest spot. Also by keeping it in the middle I can sit in the back sometimes if DH is driving
watermelon / 14467 posts
@Mrsbells: Well, they say the safest spot is the one where you can get the best install, if that makes you feel better. If you are going to have one in the middle, I'd put your older child there since they are least protected being FF.
nectarine / 2018 posts
The middle is the safest spot which actually means you would want your forward facing child there ideally. Rear facing offers so much protection in a crash that a forward facer benefits most from being in the middle.
Though proper installation trumps all, which for many means installing both outboard.
Avivoca is correct, no booster would allow the use of a belt extender. You can cut a section of a pool noodle and place it around the buckle to help it stand up more.
squash / 13199 posts
@catgirl: @avivoca: Good point. that will actually solve the seatbelt issue too. Thanks for pointing that out
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 1 |
| Posts | 1 | 3 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
11 comments