Today at someone's house dd jumped on the scales and it appears she is around 18kg.

Currently she is in a S&S Guardian, fully harnessed etc.

I'm not sure what to do next. Its max is 18kg, but I don't want her out of a harness yet. She is only 3yo!!! My ds2 is only just out of a harness!!

I remember someone (Hippy Chick?) mentioned testing is done to 22kg with Britax/S&S products. Is this right? And does it apply to all S&S products? Do you have a link?

I do have a S&S Maxi Rider (2002 version) which I could put her in, but I don't think it would make much difference, as its max is 18kg too.

I don't really want to fork out for *another* carseat (we have five including boosters, with the Maxi Rider in booster mode in dh's car for ds2, but I can change it to harness if dd goes in there - but I don't think she is ready for a booster yet either...

Suggestions?

Once my son hit 18kg we used the Maxi rider with a protecta (?) harness - the harness tethers also.

First off everyone's scales are different. There's about a 1 kg difference between our GP's scales and our scales, and about the same between the GP's and the paed's.
Then you have weight of clothes to add to it - I know jeans versus shorts, full nappy versus wet can account for around 500g.
So you have at least a 1.5kg variability to start with.

Then I think, and I could be wrong, the weight thing with carseats is not so much that it's going to snap in an accident if you kid is a couple of kg over the max but more that if you are under the minimum it might not be anchored properly because the child's not heavy enough to hold it down as well as they otherwise might.

If she was too tall for the seat then that'd be different as the supports in a crash aren't in the right places but weight's not such a biggie unless you are under the min.

If she's not ready, developmentally, for the freedom and responsibility for a booster, and not physically big enough then I'd hold tight for a bit. One one off weight on random scales probably isn't accurate enough to make this kind of decision on anyway.

We used the tethered harness with a booster seat once our eldest hit 18kg
Here is a link for them
http://www.childrestraints.co.nz/childharness.php

You can use the Maxi Rider (version II) up to 20kg the released a few years back that is was tested with a 22kg dummy so 20kg is still safe. Otherwise use the protecta harness with the Maxi Rider.

Otherwise there is an American seat that is just coming over to NZ called the Radian XTSL it harnesses up to 36kg so you can have your child in a 5 point harness for a while longer, its height limit is about 135cms so you probably wouldn't get to the 36kg limit before growing out of it.

But since you don't want to get a new seat I would use the Maxi Rider with the tethered Protecta harness.

I was going to suggest the protecta harness too if you don't want to buy a new seat.

I also heard that the Radian will be available in NZ soon which does harness to 36 kg but I imagine it will be pricey (it's $300 US on amazon). I have a Graco Nautilis which 5pt harnesses to 30kg tethered (got it a few months ago as DS had almost outgrown his 18kg harness) so if you are ok with spending $$ you could look into importing one, they are just under $150 US so half the price of the Radian. I'm very happy with the safety specs, I've done a lot of research as I heard the US safety standards weren't as high as the AUS/NZ/UK standards which are accepted in NZ but I've actually found that to be incorrect. It's airline apprived too which is a big plus for me as I travel a lot, and has good side head support which my previous seat was lacking. It also works as a booster until 100lbs which is almost as much as I weigh!.

But if you don't want to buy a new seat (fair enough!), I'd look into the proctecta for sure. I haven't read any crash testing info on the protecta though, but it looks great!

FAQ
HARNESSED SEATS for LARGER
CHILDREN - BRITAX REGENT (USA)
7 December 2006
Page: 1 of 3
xml1897 Product Info Bulletin - FAQ USA Regent 7Dec06.doc
We have received a number of calls related to the Britax USA Regent seat.
The Australian situation
By law (Trade Practice Act) we must sell child restraints that comply with the Australian Standard
AS/NZS1754.
Also by law (The road rules) drivers must ensure children are properly secured and if in a Child
Restraint and the Child Restraint meet the Australian Standard.
The Australian Standard specifies the occupant mass range that we must marked on the child
restraints. That is:-
· Infant devices up to either 9 or 12 kg (Unity and Convertibles except the BSC are 12 kg,
BSC is 9 kg)
· Toddler Seat - Forward facing seats with harnesses - 8 to 18kg.
· Booster seats and booster cushions - 14 to 26 kg (Also when Boosters are used with the
Child Harness)
· Child Harness when used by itself - 14 to 32 kg
and
· Convertible Type A/B up to 12 kg rear facing, 8 to 18 kg forward facing
· Convertible Booster seat 8 to 18 kg forward facing with it's own harness, 14 to 26 kg as a
booster seat (with a lap sash seat belt or Protecta child harness.)
A child should stay in a seat that suits their size for as long as they can before graduating in to the
next type of child restraint. This determination is based only on size and weight.
· Facing rearward in an Infant restraint for as long as the child fits the restraint is highly
desirable.
· Using a harness in a Toddler seat for as long as possible is also desirable (usually if the
shoulders are more that 25 mm above the top shoulder strap slot then the next type of seat
is required.)
· For boosters, the child should stay in the seat until their eye level reaches to be in line with
the back of the car's headrest or seat back, or the eye level reaches the top of the back of
the Booster Seat.
Recent coverage of Britax Regent (USA) on the Internet
The awareness of the Britax USA Regent has come from a short video on YouTube on the internet.
The Video covers a mother's views of child restraints that could have saved her son's life which was
tragically taken as a result of a roll over crash. The video is not technically correct and may convey
an incorrect message to viewers in Australia. The cause of the death was the seat belt releasing in
the crash thus releasing the occupant. Possibly the seat belt was not engaged. The child was just
18 kg and had just graduated to a Booster seat with a lap sash seat belt. This is no different to
Australia. The mother believes that her child would have been better in a Britax Regent with the
Harness. She is probably right but again if the seat belt was defective or not engaged the child
would still be in danger.
Consumers have been rushing to buy the Regent in USA. The Regent cannot be sold in Australia
as we are unable to meet the Australian Standard with the Regent seat.
Anyone looking at information on the Internet for child restraints in USA, Europe or elsewhere
overseas are not necessarily looking at child restraint information that relates to Australia. They
can be easily mislead and may think Australia has inferior child restraints. This is not correct.
PRODUCT INFORMATION BULLETIN
FAQ
HARNESSED SEATS for LARGER
CHILDREN - BRITAX REGENT (USA)
7 December 2006
Page: 2 of 3
xml1897 Product Info Bulletin - FAQ USA Regent 7Dec06.doc
The USA situation
As far as the Britax USA Regent is concerned, the American standard allows seats to be used with
children with greater weight; for the Britax USA Regent it can be used up to 37 kg with it's harness.
The Regent seat is around 130 mm taller than our convertibles such as Premier and Royale, 70mm
taller than Meridian/Platinum AHR and MaxiRider 2.
For many seats in USA, their higher weight rating often relates not so much to taller children but to
obese children. Regent is an exception.
The USA standard is different to the Australian Standard. The Australian standard uses larger test
dummies, conducts testing at more severe impact levels, and tests in directions simulating frontal,
side, rear and roll-over crashes, where as USA seats are only tested for frontal crashes. USA seats
do not meet the Australian Standard and cannot be sold in Australia. Their use in the vehicle could
result in the driver getting a traffic ticket for not safely restraining a child. In the event of a crash,
the insurance company may not cover injury to the occupant or replacement of the child restraint.
The Regent exerts higher load on the Tether Strap anchorage in the vehicle and the anchorage
could pull out putting the child at risk of severe injury.
The Regent also does not have a split crotch strap and it is only forward facing.
What can we offer in Australia
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 **.
After that we can offer MaxiRider, Explorer and Hi-Liner that can use the Protecta Harness to go up
to 26 kg.
In addition, for taller children, the Hi-Liner can offer suitable height adjustment for average 8 year
old to fit and also provides very good side crash protection. Although rated to 26 kg, testing is
conducted as required by the Australian to 32 kg **. The Hi-Liner is 50 mm taller than the Regent.
The Hi-Liner can also use the Protecta child harness to provide upper torso support.
(** we cannot recommend these higher weights for occupants but we can tell the consumer
that they are tested to this weight.)
Mike Lumley
Technical Director
Britax Childcare Pty Ltd
ABN 55 006 773 600 Copyright 2006.
PRODUCT INFORMATION BULLETIN

This was the bulletin released in 2006 where the company released that information about the test dummies and the higher weight limits.

From what I have read though, the Radian is side impact tested (at least the 2009 one is anyway )and is currently being tested to meet NZ safety standards, it won't be available for sale in NZ until it has.

The Graco also has side impact testing (I've seen the videos which are tested at above the recommended weight/height) and is approved in Canada (I'm not sure if the Radian is). BUT the Graco is not approved in NZ yet so I;m not sure how that works legally, for me safety is my first concern so I'll be using my Graco in NZ for sure.

THe first shipment of the Radian is coming in April but I think you had to preorder for that one. I know orders are being received for a July shipment until the end of April and they are retailing at $399 for that shipment. THe importer I think is also in talks with retail outlets.

We have a Safe and Sound Explorer 5 point harness, tethered, booster for DS1. http://www.productreview.com.au/showitem.php?item_id=33859 He is only 13kg at 3.5 years but we needed his convertable carseat for DS2 to go into after the capsule.

Not a lot of help re the type of carseat but before you get too worried, I'd be tempted to re-weigh your DD. 18kgs is quite heavy for an "average" 3/4 year old. You may also find that her weight will plateau if she's just gone through a growth spurt.

Those I know that have the protecta harnesses find them a real pita.

DD1 who is 5 and about 19 kgs is still in a 5 point harness (Maxi Rider) in our main car. She was 15kgs at 3 years.

You may be right, because as I say, my 6yo only just came out of the Maxi Rider harness in the last year. But she does seem 'stockier' than the boys were at the same age.

I'm not panicking about it, but just being mindful.

Yep...I've had a Protecta harness before, and its a total PITA, so I'd rather not go there.

Some kids are heavier....Carlos was 18 kg when he was 2 years old!!

GA - When I looked into it a while back the seats I looked at that said the harness went up to 18kg were tested and passed with 22kg test dummies so I was happy for him to be in it at a higher weight than 18kg and since they were tested with the higher weight level and were safe I'd rather that than take him out of a harness when he was too young.

I have a now 4.5 yr old that is the size of a 5 - 6 yr old so he has been diff to most kids his age but I'd say that keeping her in it would be the best option.

You may find it will take her quite a few years to get from 18kg - 22kg Carlos has only put on 6kgs in the last 2.5 years and he is bigger than most kids his age

Tulips posted:



I wonder if this has always been the case? She is in a 2001 Guardian, which I believe is safer than the Maxi Rider - she will obviously go into the Maxi Rider eventually, as that is newer and the Guardian is getting close to the end of its life...

A call to S&S might be in order tomorrow.

GA - this thread reminded me to check DD and she's over 18kgs now I realised when the baby was born, that her head was just over the top of her Alpha Omega as well and she's now outgrown it in weight.

So in the weekend bought her a Safe & Sound Explorer and it's fantastic. Lots more room to grow now.

Can I leave her in the 5-point harness for now? I think the instructions (though they are a little confusing) say that she doesn't need to go into the child safety harness until her eyes reach the top holes where the arm straps go in.

Is that correct?

I think the weight limit on the Explorer is only 18kgs but as above you can keep them in there until 20kgs.

Fantastic, thanks!

Not quite ready to put her in the protecta harness yet. She's a big girl but not that big yet IYKWIM? She has started to slow down with her weight gains now so 20kgs gives me a little bit of leeway