Fitting Rear Facing Baby Seats!

November 5, 2007

I have a problem fitting my baby's seat into my Corolla (M reg XLi). I have a pram, the top of which lays flat across the back seat (scored very high on safety) which is the main reason I bought it, however, baby is now 5 months and growing v. quick. He's getting frustrated at not sitting up. This pram converts to a rear facing car seat fastened with the use of a seat belt. It should be good for another few months. However, when I came to fit it, to my horror I found the seat belt too short!! ARGH!

I looked for seat belt extensions, however, Halfords have advised that no one stocks them anymore due to safety risks. I have found them on eBay, but am not too sure about using one. I have also been to mothercare to check out the car seats there. They tried a standard rear facing seat which is the same size as mine, and the same thing happened!! This is quite worrying. Has anyone had a similar problem? If so, what did you do?

Is it possible to get longer seat belts?

The joys of being a parent - I miss my MR2 !!!!!

Thank you

November 8, 2007

I have a problem fitting my baby's seat into my Corolla (M reg XLi). I have a pram, the top of which lays flat across the back seat (scored very high on safety) which is the main reason I bought it, however, baby is now 5 months and growing v. quick. He's getting frustrated at not sitting up. This pram converts to a rear facing car seat fastened with the use of a seat belt. It should be good for another few months. However, when I came to fit it, to my horror I found the seat belt too short!! ARGH!
I looked for seat belt extensions, however, halfords have advised that no one stocks them anymore due to safety risks. I have found them on ebay, but am not too sure about using one. I have also been to mothercare to check out the car seats there. They tried a standard rear facing seat which is the same size as mine, and the same thing happened!! This is quite worrying. Has anyone had a similar problem? If so, what did you do?
Is it possible to get longer seat belts?
The joys of being a parent - I miss my MR2 !!!!!
Thank you

You could always try going to your local scrapyard and picking up longer seat latches (longer webbing) from just about any car (front middle belts are usually long) and bolting them on under the seat. Just don't get one that looks remotely damaged because if the webbing got stretched during a collision then it's no good.

Best of luck,

Ross

November 12, 2007

Thanks Ross!

I decided to buy a smaller car seat (infant carrier) (which still doesn't fit in the back, but is able to fit on the front passenger seat (as I don't have an airbag).

Seems as though the front seat belts are slightly longer than the rear.

My mum has a fairly new Yaris and we're unable to fit the seat in the back of that either. Quite surprised that there isn't a standard size seatbelt to ensure that baby/child seats can fit in them. Not all of us can afford to buy MPV's or new family size cars!!