I need FAST help!

[youarelovely]

I tried to search for this, but I don't quite know what exactly to search for to find an answer.

My husband thinks we need both the vehicle's latch system, AND the seat belt to strap in our car seat. I was at the Public Health Office today to get a new car seat, and they reprimanded me for having it double strapped. My husband KNEW that they would say something to me about it, and he told me to just ignore it. :banghead: I am SO mad at him...anyways...

It was so embarrassing. I didn't know he had it double strapped until he told me this morning right before I went. The nurse and I couldn't even get the old seat out to put the new seat in.

Please don't flame me or anything...I just need info on WHY you can't double strap a seat in. He is going to be home in a an hour, and I want to have links and info ready for him. He comes from a long line of champion argue-rs, and he gets so feisty when there is debate to be had. I am not very articulate, and I DO NOT like to argue...It's gonna be ugly tonight. :giggle2::cry:

I know that it's wrong, because I've heard it on DS, and because the nurse told me...but he has to have REASONS. Ugh, I am so upset right now. :cry::cry::cry: We had a huge fight about this on the phone.

On the happier side, the nurses were very impressed with my knowledge of ERFing! :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen: I am so glad that our state has this education program for people. The other guy that was getting a seat had no clue about keeping his baby rear facing. They said to at least 2 years old, and he looked so shocked! Yikes!

[Chey]

NEVER use both. One or the other.

It should say so right in your manual.

Someone here will have more information, but using both compromises the intergrity of the install and can actually break the seat in an accident. They are not meant to be used at the same time.

[Tia]

The carseats either have not been tested with using both systems, or they were tested and failed. Honestly just ask him if he wants his child to be a test dummy in that situation.

It's perfectly safe to use one or the other, but not both.

[carsonsmommy1108]

I don't have any links (though I'm sure some other mama's will) but the biggest thing is that state laws require the seat be used properly in accordance with the carseat manual, the manual with explicitly prohibit the use of both latch and a seat belt at the same time, so I would just find it in your manual (or if you let me know what seat you have I'll find your manual online and let you know where it says it) and just show him that the manual says so and its illegal to not follow the manual.

[foxynursejo]

Wow, thanks for the info. I had no idea.

[lil.miss32]

Latch and your seat belt are meant to "give" a little when you are in a crash. If you use both at the same time, you can actually tighten TOO tight, and when in a crash, they can snap.

To repeat PP, it should say in your manual. :)