5 Solutions to Common Car Seat Problems

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So many things change when you start having kids (in fact, what doesn’t change?) and it’s inevitable that sometimes problems will arise. Looking for car seat help? Look no further! It’s overwhelming to know how to handle problems with car seats when they come up. Here are a few of the most common issues that people ask me about as a Child Passenger Safety Technician.

1. Fixing Twisted Straps

This seems to happen all the time. Not only is it annoying, but it’s not safe to leave them twisted. I have a quick video here that demonstrates “the triangle trick” to help you untwist car seat straps in less than one minute. You’ll never have to worry about getting delayed because of twisted straps again!

2. Tightening the Straps

Sometimes the harness straps on car seats can be difficult to tighten, especially on rear-facing car seats where you don’t have as much room or leverage to pull. This can be frustrating because straps need to pass the pinch test to be considered tight enough. Watch this one minute video to learn my favorite hack for tightening straps on rear-facing car seats.

3. Choosing the Right Car Seat at the Best Price

There are almost too many choices when it comes to car seats. It makes it really difficult to narrow down your options to make the best choice for your family. I’ve compiled some guidelines to help you focus on what is most important to consider when purchasing a car seat. You’ll want to take into account safety features, the size of your child, your vehicle, the size of your family, and of course your budget. These resources should get you on your way:

• The Ultimate Checklist for Buying Car Seats
• The Best Budget-Friendly Car Seats
• The Best Websites to Find Car Seat Deals

4. Traveling with car seats

What do you do when you are traveling with kids and need car seats? There are a lot of factors to consider. I have traveled with my three kids countless times and learned plenty of tips (through trial and error) to share with parents. Here are a few explanations to some of the bigger concerns:

• Should you bring car seats with you when you are flying? Here is a list of the pros and cons of flying with car seats.
• Should you buy a cheap car seat to use instead of your regular car seat? This is a popular choice because they are often smaller and more lightweight. Here is a list of my favorite car seats and boosters for traveling.
• How do you know which vehicle will be a good fit for your family if you are renting a car? This guide tells you everything to look for when you are buying a new car when you have car seats, but all of the information is also applicable if you are renting a car while traveling.

5. Choosing Car Seat Accessories

There are a lot of adorable options for accessories to add to your car seat. But how do you know if they are safe? There are many items sold in stores that car seat manufacturers prohibit you from using. Here’s a list of some of those items and what you can use instead.

One device that I HIGHLY recommend for safety purposes is Clever Elly. This device provides alternating reminders when your car turns off to check your back seat to ensure that in the middle of postpartum brain fog, no one gets accidentally left in the car. Clever Elly is compatible with all cars. It’s extremely simple to install in your car’s power outlet.

I hope some of these explanations helped you solve any problems you may have encountered with your car seat. Be sure to share this post with anyone who needs car seat help! You can also pin this post and check back later as I update this list with more tutorials and tips.

Are you pregnant and looking for a way to keep things organized?

Along with the other resources linked here in this post, check out this awesome Pregnancy Planner and Postpartum Handbook for some additional support.