Help! My Daughter Learned How to Unbutton Her Car Seat!

My daughter did this when she was two. We asked a police officer to talk to her about being safe in the carseat and that it needs to stay buckled at all times. He spoke to her through her opened window in the car, and she had her face covered because she was embarrassed, but it worked. We reminded her occassionally that if she took off her seatbelt, we would need to find another police officer to talk to. She has not opened her buckle since. (two years later!)

It sounds silly and primitive, but I would try a small bungee cord. My dad used this on a sibling of mine that learned out to get out and it seemed to work.

Okay I'm the mean mom. I had this problem with my son that is now 8. We would be in rush hour traffic and he would decide to undo his seatbelt when there was absolutely nowhere to pull over and put him back in. He was a little older and I drove an SUV which made it hard for me and short arms to reach him so I started keeping a fly swatter with me and I wouldn't beat him with it, but rather I would swat at his legs when he would start messing with it. It might seem mean but it worked and I felt I needed to do it to keep him safe. So far so good with my daughter. She hasn't gotten there.

I was glad to see your post. I wondered if I was the only one. Only we have a little boy who doesn't even have to unbuckle it! No matter how tight we make it he still will wiggle his way out of it. The fitst time he did it we were driving down I35 and I looked be hind me to see him standing up! If your car is LATCH equiped use that to anchor the carseat and then use the seat belt to buckle him in to. That worked for us. After a few weeks of trying to get out all of the time he gave up.

Two words -- DUCT TAPE!

ROFL...I'm JUST KIDDING! I'd be going YIKES! I'm just grateful my little escape artist hasn't done that YET (he'll be 3 in July) but it wouldn't surprise me that she's just excited that she knows how to get free! I generally have a movie or something educational on the DVD player for my kiddos so he doesn't even try... his seat is his comfy seat so he don't move much once he's in there.

I had the same problem--girls are way too smart! :) We took out the straps and rethreaded them backwards and did the same with the latch at the bottom too so that they all faced her. When they're locked and the straps fit tight, she won't be able to manipulate them. Good luck!

my 2.5 year old son learned how to get his Graco Car Seat strap unbuckled about 6 months ago, but he never learned how to unbuckle his Evenflo car seat, so we bought an Evenflo booster seat that starts out as a 5 pt harness. I still need to sell the Graco Car Seat...

Duct Tape, I love it! Well, my advice isn't much nicer.... Put her in and when she starts fiddling with it (before you start driving), flick her fingers and firmly say "NO TOUCH". After a few times, I am sure she will get the message. Also, maybe the straps are too loose & she has too much wiggle-room to escape. Maybe try tightening them, OR my third suggestion, give her something to hold to keep her attention. She's getting bored and needs something to do with her little hands. I can almost guarantee though that a few good flicks will solve the problem! To each his own...good luck!