mod quad continued

[Clarissa]

I would like to thank everyone for their wonderful advice! My son is two and he's not the right weight to be in a booster seat, so he will be in a car seat. Any suggestions Kristie? Francine thanks you're always so helpful and know so much! Missy thank you too! Thanks again to you all!

[Clarissa]

I'm sorry, but I almost forgot to thank you too Nicole!

[blakesmom]

Clarissa, my son is having the capsulodesis done on the 28th. He had modquad 2 years ago. Look forward to meeting you and if I can answer any questions while we are in the waiting room, I will.

Good luck,

Crystal Scribner

[Kristie]

Clarissa,
In terms of safety we always suggest a 5 point harness. Since you may need to be manipulating the straps I would suggest you look for a seat that has it's adjuster in the front. This way you can have the car seat tightened into the car and are able to tighten the straps after getting your son in. I have not had to do this as of yet. But from what I have seen of the splint I think I'd use a type seat that is called a High Back Booster Seat. Make sure it is the kind that has the straps still in it. They can later be removed when you child has reach the limit (usually 40lbs check with the instructions of each seat) and then the seat can be used with the regular car seat bealt. I also think this seat will work well with the splint since it usually has shallower sides. Again I have not dealt with the splints in person sooooo this is my best recomendation baised on my knowledge. We usually recommend that a Child stay in the convertable seat as long as they fit right so that they have more of the side proctection from the seat but... I am thinking that the sides might be a problem for the position of the arm while in the splint! I am going to try to add a few links to show you what I mean. Please know that I am trying to show you the style I am suggesting. All seats meet the same saftey standards.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/st ... e-pictures

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/st ... e-pictures

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/st ... e-pictures

If these links don't work or you have trouble please e-mail me (krogers@saintmail.net)

Also here is a link to finding a Car Seat Tech in your area... they might be able to help you more directly since they can do it in person!

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/ ... /index.cfm


I hope this is helpful. What kind of seat are you currently using? And how much does your son weigh?

Kristie

[blakesmom]

We began using the high back booster seat when Blake had modquad and just like Kristie says, the sides are shallow and accomodate the bulkiness of the splint perfectly...we had no trouble with the car seat post mod quad, are hoping we have none post capsulodesis.

Crystal S.

[TNT1999]

Hello, Clarissa. First I would like to say that I agree with all the great info. Kristie gave you (and she should know). I prefer the 5-point harness. I'm actually afraid to use the kind that has the bar that comes down in front b/c I could see Nicole getting her arm stuck in there if she didn't move it out of the way properly (esp. if someone else was putting her into the car and forgot to remind her or help her move her arm). We had a seat with a 5-pt harness and the weight went up to 40 lbs, but the strap was not long enough to use for the SOL splint. So at that time we bought a new seat. To size it, I just sat Nicole in different seats and held her arm straight up in the air and tested to see which ones had a long enough strap. Another MUST was that you could adjust it in the front while the child is in the seat (I think that's a must anyway regardless of a splint). We bought the Eddie Bauer Booster seat by Cosco -- which is pictured in the second link that Kristie provided. Nicole is very comfortable in the seat. We use it with the 5-pt harness now and when she's 40 lbs (and 4+), we'll use it as a booster seat with a regular seat belt. Nicole was just under 2 y.o. when she first used it (with the SOL splint). I'm sure anything comparable to that would work well. Another thing is to make sure that it's regulated for travel in an airplane. There should be a sticker on it saying that it meets FAA (?) regulations. I don't remember the specific wording -- the airline or your travel agent can tell you exactly what it needs to say on it.

Also, fyi, if you contact your local police dept. you should be able to find an officer trained in the car seat course. We call our local PD whenever we change car seats and an officer comes right to our house. Of course, you can also checkout the link Kristie provided.

Ask any other ?s you can think of. Email me if you'd like. I hope the surgery goes well.

-Tina