Wd you let yr 2-3 yo go on a coach with a lap-only seatbelt? Post Reply

[lalectrice]

My child's nursery is taking 30 kids on a trip that requires a 45-minute coach journey. My child is a small/light 3-year-old (often mistaken for a 2-year-old) whom I think needs to be in a proper car seat. The coach the nursery is using provides lap-only seatbelts, which are to be used for all 2 and 3 year-olds. I asked if I could provide a car seat, but was told that they wouldn't be able to fit it as the coach does not have the normal seatbelts you need to secure a car seat. As I am also going on the trip, I then asked if I could drive my child to the destination and meet them there, but was told that this was too awkward/complicated and that they'd had problems with this in the past. So it looks as if I either pull my child out of the trip or agree to coach travel with a lap-only belt.

What do other people think about this? The law says car seats should be used for kids up to 25 kg and, in the case of coaches, that over 3's can travel with the seatbelts provided in the vehicle (no mention of weight here). It occurs to me that we don't fuss about seatbelts on buses, but then they are not travelling at 60/70 mph on A-roads either.

[tooposhtopush]

Hi
Gosh that's a tough one.

My gut feeling is I would let them go but I would be nervous until they came back.

Does that make sense?

[nuttymummy]

I am really surprised the nursery isn't using a coach with proper standard seatbelts, especially with such young children - and the majority of parents are happy to go along with this? It's not like there aren't coaches that have them. The nursery we're at uses coaches with proper seatbelts & if you want to use a booster/car seat you just arrive early & fit it. It's not rocket science.

[lalectrice]

I asked about that and was told that regular seatbelts (with belt across torso as well as lap) are not safe as, in the event of an accident, the belt would go into the child's face/neck. I'm no expert and maybe they're right, but I would have thought head and neck injury from only being restrained at the waist was more of a risk! An impact with lap belt would presumably jerk the head and upper body forward into the seat in front with great force?

[dansk1234dance]

I probably wouldn't. If in doubt, I think the answer should be no. At 3 years, your child won't remember/hate you for not letting them participate/get teased for not participating.

I still agonise over these things and my son is nearly 6. It's so hard.

[NYE31]

We faced this last year with a 2.5 year old on a transfer with Mark Warner from Grenoble airport to our Ski resort, there was no booster seats or car seats for little ones, we were told to use the adult seat belt & it was a 3 hour transfer!

I was really unhappy about this & complained, I was told that it was the norm on the continent & that they weren't required to supply infant seats etc. In the end we went for having DS on our laps with the adult seat-belt around both of us & took it in turns.

Since then I have taken a booster seat with me if we aren't hiring a car.

[imalocal]

I had to make a similar decision recently when making a ski transfer with my small (almost) 3 year. I was not comfortable with the idea of my little one being on a coach for 2+ hours at high speed. Sure the risk of anything happening was likely small, but not one that I wanted to take. I did some research and bought a Britax eclipse car seat for £60 or so on sale. It is one of the few seats that can be secured with a lap belt. And as a bonus it is also certified for air travel. So whilst my friend's little one was all over the place on the coach and plane - my little one happily played and snoozed in the seat. Would definitely recommend it. Not a huge costly purchase and it might put your mind at ease.

[marypoppins]

A seatbelt should never be put around an adult and child at the same time. The adults bodyweight will crush the child against the seatbelt.

[Moomie]

we have a Brittax eclipse car seat currently not being used if you would like to borrow it for the coach trip to put your mind at rest.

[cynic]

Please don't ever put a small child on your lap with an adult seatbelt around both, this is very dangerous indeed.

It is my understanding that the reason for booster seats is to ensure the upper diagonal section of the adult seatbelt correctly restrains the child's upper torso in the event of an accident as otherwise that part of the belt may be too high and cause neck injury to a child.

It's also important that a 'lap belt' is exactly that, not over the child's tummy as this could cause injury.

Good info here:
http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/choosin ... aqs/#faq18

[LizzieTheNappy]

I'd take my child off the trip if that's any help. I know the chances of anything bad happening are tiny but given that you're informed enough to know there's a risk, I don't think it's worth taking it. Or if you really want your child to go, call in and say you all overslept, running massively late and are driving there yourself!

Thanks Mary Poppins for the information about adult seat belt. Very important to know.

[millymoo]

I wouldn't let my little one go on the trip and it sets a dangerous precedent for the nursery thinking that this is ok.

[LP73]

I wouldn't allow my son to go on the trip.

Can't you chat to the other parents about this, I can't believe that you are the only one worried by this.
It's irresponsible of the nursery to ignore your concerns.

Can't you show them this page?

[BFW]

Sorry I am going against the general consensus on this one ... and its not because I am not constantly worried about my chidlren's well being !!! I have sleepless nights now that they go on residential school trips !

But I would let my child go - I trusted my nursery 100% and to be completely honest with you, I am not sure it ever dawn to me to check what type of seat-belts they used for school trips. Hope that does not make me a terrible mother but I just completely trusted the nursery head / nursery staff and knew that they would follow the appropriate safety measures and that they would not have put any of my children in danger.

Nurseries must be terrified of something happening on a school trip so I would hope that any good nursery would take all the appropriate measures and check what the rules / regulations are in respect of seatbelts for children ?

[kidswithadhd]

Totally agree with BFW.
Go for it. I went on plenty of nursery trips with my 2 YO and newborn.
My only memories of it are lovely days out, no dramas.