please help!Toddler to big for current car seat!!

[JLeigh29]

No advice, but can you call the RACQ or Qld Transport for some advice? That way you speak to someone who actually knows what they're talking about. I'd try RACQ first, they were very helpful with DS's car seat.

[BeautifulMadness]

i only know about the victorian laws on it...

i rang out local police station and they were very helpful

[Phteven]

At baby shops they sell boosters with extendable head rests. They would be high enough for my 7 year old so I'm pretty sure that your 3 year old would fit one.
Try googling First Years Booster Seat With Extendable Headrest to have a look at an example or better yet just go to a baby shop and ask if you can put one in your car to see if it fits.

[BeautifulMadness]

My eldest Ds, he was too big for a normal booster so i had to buy just the seat and out a seatbelt over him....no choice

[SammyRo]

If you're confused, I would recommend going to a proper baby shop rather than Kmart or the like, as the staff there should know what the regulations are and be able to help you choose the correct car seat. They also normally have someone that is trained to fit the car seat correctly. DD is 3.4 years old, and is quite tall for her age, and she is in a Safe n Sound Maxi rider AHR - the head rest is adjustable, and it apparently should last until she is 7 years old.

[kelebek]

I think you need to consider how heavy she is as well. The laws are very confusing cause it isn't just height and age that they consider but weight as well. The in-built harness aren't marketing hype and are about helping to keep our LO secure in thier seats as Hot1 said. The problem we had is that all the in-built harness we could find had a weight rating of 18 kgs and DS is heavier then that. I also recommend calling the police station as they are the ones who interpret the law.

[~Kim~]

My DD went into a MaxiRider at 2 due to her being taller than a convertible car seat. They have an inbuilt harness, as to quite a few of the brands of booster seat on the market these days.
They changed the rules recently to go on age or height only as opposed to the old weight rules. They used to have to be in a 5 point harness until 18-20kgs. From the viewpoint of someone who has seen many many accidents involving car seats I will continue to have my children in a 5point harness until that weight.
3 is far too little for a regular seatbelt. Go to a fitting station or baby store and investigate a harness. I'm sure they'll also recommend a tethered car seat (one that is anchored) as opposed to one that just sits on the seat and secured by the belt the child is wearing.