Source
r/Parenting•
greywindow

Desperately need help with car seat

Toddler 1-3 Years

Hi

Every time we have to remove the car seats it takes us several hours to reinstall them.

They are still rear facing. The issue is trying to pull the strap to tighten the seat. We try the push down on the seat and pulling the strap, but the strap does not actually tighten.

I'm pulling so hard that my hands are bleeding. But the seats still move like 6 inches.

I really hate installing the car seats. We don't know anyone else with kids that could help us.

Is there a trick to this?

Edit: we have multiple brands of carseats and have the same issue will all of them, leading us to believe it's the technique.

Posted Nov 12, 2022, 7:12 PM UTC

118
greenpotatoes9•

So the seats should move less than an inch on the belt path (side to side). The front of the seat should lift up freely, that part isn't attached. The back of the seat (where it touches the car seat) should not lift up.

If you can't get a good install with LATCH, then install with the seat belt. It is equally as safe. LATCH is supposed to be a convenience, but it sounds like the opposite in your case.

Alternatively, you can look for a seat with rigid LATCH (they literally push straight on, no tightening necessary), or something like a Britax Clicktight that installs only with the seatbelt.

What vehicle are you using, and where in the vehicle are you installing the seats?

If you take the seats out of the car, extend the LATCH straps, then pull the tightening strap, can you see the LATCH straps get shorter? If not, your seat is broken.

3
0112358_•

Have you watched any videos? I think this is the one I watched that was very handy. Essentially showing you how to knee on the seat to push it down while pulling on the strap. Also push the forward seat all the way forward to give yourself more room. And there was something about how to position your arms for the best leverage

https://thecarseatlady.com/rear-facing-installation-tips-tricks-and-videos/

And while you probably don't want to buy a new seat to fix this The premium version of Graco has an automatically tightening latch thing. I have it and it's super nice. No pulling on the strap at all, just push the seat down

2
greywindowOP•

Yup followed these instructions. The problem I'm having is pulling the strap to tighten doesn't actually do anything.

1
0112358_•

Is the strap moving at all when you pull it? Does it tighten while being pulled, but then not stay tight (perhaps an issue with the strap itself).

Maybe skip the LATCH system and install via the car seatbelt instead? It's just as safe as the latch and perhaps would work easier for you?

1
greywindowOP•

No it doesn't tighten at all when I pull the strap, regardless of how loose. Same issue with all 4 of our car seats. I just bought a new one and it's the same exact thing.

If I push the release button, I can pull some through. But not enough to actually tighten it.

1
0112358_•

Definitely sounds like an issue with your technique.

But happens if you take the car seat not in the car and just play with the tightening mechanism. If I recall correctly there's a strap from the car seat to the LATCH thing, and the tightening strap. If you pull in the tightening strap the strap between the car seat and the latch should shorted. And stay shortened until you unlock the mechasem entirely.

Either that strap is not getting shorter (aka for a tighter install), or the mechanism that's supposed to hold the strap tight in place is not actually holding/locking it

1
Fun-Attention1468•

What car seat do you have? Have you tried using the anchors instead?

1
greywindowOP•

We have Graco and Costco. We use the latch for both. Same issue for both in both of our cars.

1
Fun-Attention1468•

Oh ok the Graco is a fucking pain. The anchors on it suck, so we used the seatbelt.

The thing about the Graco is it has that snap in the center right? So you need to tighten it, but not too much, and then snap it down.

The whole "move a half inch thing" is also hard to do. You're supposed to push with your non-dominant hand, close to the front of the car seat. If you push toward the back, toward the front of the car, you'll have a leverage advantage and it'll always move.

If you want to be 100% certain though, do what we did. Call your local police station, and they can actually have a cop check the car seat to see if it's in properly and moving too much, or if it's good.

1
tigervegan4610•

Have you tried threading it through under the armrest so you’re pulling it at an angle? Is this with LATCH or seatbelt?

1
greywindowOP•

Yup that's how we do it, with the latch.

1
tigervegan4610•

Where are you checking tightness? Handshake strength at the belt path or at the top of the car seat? Maybe a video of what’s happening would help people advise you?

1
greywindowOP•

They are still very loose. I can move it a few inches at the base and even lift it a bit. I just can't understand why pulling the strap to tighten them doesn't actually tighten them.

1
Sumraeglar•

Call the fire station to see when you can have someone help you install your car seat. They can probably show you tricks to make it easier. We did that with both our kids and it was SO incredibly helpful. They do installs and safety checks but not all fire stations have techs to help so call ahead.

1
greywindowOP•

I might just do that. There is one right outside of my neighborhood.

1
Happy-Abrocoma8356•

Please only do this if there is a certified car seat technician at the fire station. Many do not have them so be careful as they could install the seat wrong and make it worse. Use the link below to find a certified tech in your area!

https://portalskcms.cyzap.net/dzapps/dbzap.bin/apps/assess/webmembers/secure/manage?webid=SKCMS&pToolCode=CERT-SEARCH&pAdd=Yes

1
Puzzled_Internet_717•

I've had trouble getting the latch system tight enough, so I just use the seat belt.

1
shelbyknits•

If they’re in and out a lot, they can be secured using the seat belt instead of the latch system, and that’s much easier.

1