Husband's Numbness in Hands Is Not Allowing Him to Use Our Car Seats

This Carseat has a unique base to it can rotate towards the parent to make the Carseat face toward the parent. It will still have the strap buttons issue but maybe easier to work with. Should ask their technical department. It is a high priced choice however.
http://www.orbitbaby.com/support/index.html
You should have him visit a Occupational Therapist who might have other options, a Physical Therapist or a Biomedical Engineer. Also consider could he get a big spring type clamp from a hardware store to apply the pressure in a small area which he is having difficulty doing? (like big plastic clamps for holding wood together). Because maybe the father's whole hand could handle the clamp and let the clamp's "fingers" apply the pressure. (as long as the child's little hands and fingers can stay far away from such a clamp)! Also there are Carseat specialists (1-866-Seat Check) that do occasional inspections of carseat installations who could probably offer suggestions. http://www.Seatcheck.org

http://www.orbitbaby.com/support/index.html

Sincerely,
StevenC
Founder BabY-CooP CluB

Hi R.,

I don't really have any advice on the car seat, but as for the numbness, I have a friend who had similar problems in his hands and feet and he found great results.

Let me know if you want to hear more and I can get some information.

I've heard ppl ask this similar question before but more with arthritis problems and the one carseat they all say is GRACO which you already have. Supposedly you can take a spoon and put it upside down and use it to help get that button undone.

Since you are buying new for a 3 year old, as long as she is over 30 pounds you can look into the full back booster seats. My 3 year old neice has one and it is really nice for her. It uses the carseat belt so it may be easier for him to get her in and out. Just make sure she doesn't put the shoulder belt behind her. They make some very nice ones including ones with lights and cup holders.

Hi R.
You will need to decied if your child is resposiable enough to do this but at three my children where, and we would let them buckle and un buckle themselves with our supervision and they where only allowed to unbuckle when we said it was ok. We did this because it was the only way my daughter would get in and out of the car without a massaive fit. I hope you find something that will work.

If you are unable to find a car seat that works for her, I would agree with Shari and say look into the boosters. They all have lb ratings on them. As long as she meets the weight and height requirements, it is safer to have her in a booster than in no car seat at all.

Another thing to consider is that the more a seat has been used, the "looser" it will be. If you can find a used seat from someone you trust, that has been through a few kids already, it may be easier to use. But you have to be sure that it has never been in an accident, and that it is not a recalled seat. So don't just go buy one at a garage sale or thrift shop. Also make sure that it is not so used that it is all worn out. I think the recommended age of the car seat is for it to be under 7 yrs old. Once the seat is older than that, it should be replaced anyway. But I would only recommend a used seat if your other options fail.

We have a Britax Regent and a Marathon, as well s a Cosco Scenera. All of these seats would be just as difficult for your DH to operate. Sorry I can't help you with what would be easier for him.

I don't have a car seat suggestion for your husband but wanted to comment on someone else's suggestion of getting your daughter a booster. This is a horrible idea. At 3 years old a child should still be in a 5 point harness. It is so much safer for so many reasons.