Carseat + Helmet

[maztec]

My daughter, when in her carseat, falls asleep. With her helmet on, her head slumps forward. With it off, it normally lays back. I have tried adjusting the seat, but the weight of the helmet just drags her head forward. I worry that if we were in an accident or stopped suddenly it would cause damage to her sweet neck.

Any tips on how to make riding in a car seat with the helmet easier?

[evergreenmom]

I agree this sounds like cause for concern. I would consult a "Child Passenger Safety Technician" You could possibly find one at a hospital clinic for installing car seats safely. My thought would be to roll a towel and place it under the foot of her car seat to prop her back juts a little further. I read about doing that years ago for rear facing convertible seats to keep kids tilted back comfortably and safely. There are some wedges you can buy to help little ones heads not flop to the side- perhaps these would help too... again best to consult an expert...

There used to be a user forum that was moderated by Child Passenger Safety Technician's(CPSTs) but I can't find it now... Good luck and please report back when you get it sussed out... it may be helpful for others dealing with helmets and car seats!

[BabyGabey]

I found that It helps if you buy stap covers for the car seat straps... The extra padding up at their shoulders helps to stabilize their neck when it's wedged there in between the strap and helmet....

[BabyGabey]

These strap covers by brica worked for us http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...uctId=11290848

[Sophia's_mom]

We had to do some adjusting with towels under Sophie's rear end and behind her back as well. I hope you find something that will work for you.

[JillysMama]

So, I know this is not ideal, but when my daughter first got her helmet and would fall asleep in the car seat, I would reach back there and hold her head up. My daughter was rear facing until she was 2 years old because of her weight and I believe that is the new recommendation per the AAP. So I'd just stretch my arm back there and hold her head. Or if we were on a long trip I'd sit in the backseat and hold her head.

When she got a bit bigger her head didn't slump forward anymore. Part of it was because her neck muscles had become stronger and part of it was that she was slumped back in her seat a bit more. Sometimes I wished I had a strap so I could tie her helmet into the seat. I used to work with handicapped children and one of my kids had a strap so her head would slump out of a headrest in her wheelchair. Maybe you could find something like that.

But all in all, I don't think it would help much with safety in case of an accident. The head would have to be tied down very tight for it to be effective. And if you think about it, Nascar drivers wear helmets, right? :)

[maztec]

Thank you everyone for the tips. We have still not figured out what to do, but I am hopeful that my friend will help me solve it this Thursday.

[evergreenmom]

Jay I know you guys are all done with the helmet know but for anyone else coming across this thread later here is the car safety forum I mentioned above: http://www.car-seat.org/ It has amazing info and helpful tips regarding car seats and keeping kids safe in the car!

[maztec]

Awesome link to share Kristin.

We had to get a Hippo Carseat to fit our little girl in a carseat :(.