Author Topic: Car seats for children (Read 1409 times)

FarmerWife · « **Reply #15 on:** August 16, 2023, 09:47:39 AM »

Quote from: Ladislaus on August 16, 2023, 06:55:07 AM

There's no good way to keep an infant or toddler secure / safe inside a car without a car seat, as they simply don't fit with the seatbelts. I've always ignored the nonsense about requiring car seats for older children. As soon as I judge that they're adequately restrained by the regular seat belt system, I dispense with the car seat. I think it's ridiculous for the older children. I think most state laws base it on weight, but it's more about height and how the seatbelt fits them. And of course there's always money involved, even when the concern is legitimate.

I agree, plus there's already no space with one car seat. Might as well get a school bus.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #16 on:** August 18, 2023, 04:53:45 PM »

Quote from: Bonaventure on August 15, 2023, 10:49:09 PM

Abstract: We show that laws mandating use of child car safety seats significantly reduce birth rates, as many cars cannot fit three child seats in the back seat. Women with two children younger than their state’s age mandate have a lower annual birth probability of 0.73 percentage points [a relative drop of 7.8%]. This effect is limited to third child births, households with access to a car, and households with a male present, where both front seats are likely to be occupied.

https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/c4daDbQD398BmW5k5/on-car-seats-as-contraception

That's interesting. We had that problem when our third was born. Legally, here in TX, you don't have to have a 3rd car seat if it doesn't fit in your only car. So, our then 4-year-old wasn't legally required at that point to be in a car seat. HOWEVER, the legal technicality isn't going to override public opinion. What I found to solve the problem was a vest designed to shift a standard seat belt to adequately protect a small child. It wasn't the easiest to use, but it satisfied all concerned parties until we eventually upgraded to a larger vehicle.

MaterDominici · « **Reply #17 on:** August 18, 2023, 04:59:41 PM »

I haven't considered car seats to be a big expense. They last nearly forever presuming no car accidents so you can hand them down easily. Also, it's fairly simple here to get a free car seat. When we got our van two years ago, a lady came to our home and installed four brand new car seats. All we had to do was participate in a single 1-hour zoom class.

Miseremini · « **Reply #18 on:** August 18, 2023, 06:46:41 PM »

For infants we used a wicker basket in the back seat, not secured. When they were too big for the basket I held them on my lap. By the time our youngest was born (1974) they'd come up with the first car seat (pictured below) Our had a plastic steering wheel attached for them to play with. These "safety seats" were hung over the front seat.

Ladislaus · « **Reply #19 on:** August 18, 2023, 08:37:06 PM »

Quote from: MaterDominici on August 18, 2023, 04:59:41 PM

They last nearly forever presuming no car accidents ...

Ah, but "Big Car Seat" (Graco et al.) claim that they're only good for like 4-5 years before they somehow become unsafe and need to be replaced. Plus, anything "child" or "baby" is marked up by 5000% because ... who wouldn't want "the best" for their child?

https://www.gracobaby.com/carseatexpirationpage.html

Author Topic: Car seats for children (Read 1409 times)

FarmerWife

Re: Car seats for children

MaterDominici

Re: Car seats for children

MaterDominici

Re: Car seats for children

Miseremini

Re: Car seats for children

Ladislaus

Re: Car seats for children