Stupid OH.

[troxxy]

So apparently I'm "incredibly unreasonable" for not wanting to put my child into an expired seat. There isn't even an expired seat in question, we were just offered a free one and I asked him to check the expiry date and that's where this argument stemmed from. He's claiming that even if it's illegal it's not unsafe and "who would even know" excuse me? Since I'm not working his final response is "well I guess you better find some money for one" saying that now he won't pay for a new one. Am I crazy here or what? How would you guys react?

 

[Mummy to be x]

Tell him to bugger off, I totally agree with you I wouldn't put a newborn in an expired seat, safety is so important. Men!

 

[RcdM]

Find an article online about WHY expired carseats are unsafe. It's not because they want you to go and buy the newest hippest model and spend money. It's because the plastic is only good for so long. After a while it can become less durable and more brittle which means it is much more prone to breaking during a car accident, which means your little one could fly out of the seat if the force was strong enough, even if buckled in. I didn't realize this before, but I learned it in a car seat safety class I took when I had my dd and it was really eye opening. He's basically saying he's willing to compromise his own child's life and safety to save less than $100. Maybe he just needs to see the actual facts from a reputable source other than you to believe it.

 

[MamaLa]

Smh. Like why is he being an ass? So is he not willing to provide for his child? Guys don't understand. Smh . I would kill my OH if he tried that.

 

[cncem]

I didn't know car seats could actually expire? Like food does or meds? I agree with you though, if it is past expy date I wouldn't risk it and I'm surprized your oh would. My hubby is like "only the best for my child" all the time, I can't see him ever taking the cheap way out for something potentially risky. Would the hospital even let you take baby home in a car seat past expiration date? Anything that deals with safety is just not worth the risk of taking the cheap way out.

 

[babe2ooo]

I've never heard of this. I better check the car seat I got cause it was 2nd hand

 

[Selaphyna]

We are planning on getting most items second hand, but this was one thing that I, and even my parents said that we would get brand new. I'd be pissed at OH (and I told him this as he's sitting next me) if he ever thought like this.

 

[messica]

A lot of times insurance companies, and local county/child and family services will offer brand new free seats if you go through a short training class.

Often times hospitals will too. I know my delivering hospital does as long as we take our prenatal class through them part of which includes seat install instruction.


Flip him the bird when you walk in with a brand new one got on your own and make sure to rub in that you care about your child enough not to put their life in danger using an expired seat. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but I just can't imagine a father essentially saying who gives a rip

 

[messica]

I've never heard of this. I better check the car seat I got cause it was 2nd hand

Should be stamped right onto the plastic, may have to remove the covering but I think it's law now that one has to be on there (at least is in the US it is). If it doesn't, I'd pitch it and get a new one!

 

[mammag]

It's not just the plastic either, the strands on the straps come undone and become more brittle as well, making it easier for them to snap in an accident.

 

[TryinFor1]

Our hospital checked all this stuff out, they had a checklist for it and that was on there. If the seat was expired, they would have made us get one before bringing LO home. There IS a reason you shouldn't have expired seats, even second hand is risky if you don't know where it came from.

 

[Gingerspice]

I will have to check ours. We had it for dd. So what sort of time spans a re on them?

 

[Brightxeyes]

I had no idea either! I know they're usually funny about second hand seats.

Luckily I know the seat I bought is only ten months old, and she's never had a knock or a bump in her car.

I wouldn't buy second hand from a stranger either as you don't know if they've ever crashed their car and weakened the seat xx

 

[Unexpected212]

I bought a second hand one first time around. I knew it was only 3 years old at the time and from a good friend who promised me it had never been in any minor or major incidents.

HOWEVER I didn't know then about expirys or that buying second hand was a bad thing to do.

This time I've bought a brand new car seat and I will admit my husband doesn't get it. I've explained that the seat is now over 5 years old and most likely expired (can't find the expiry on it dunno if this is a UK thing?) It took sitting down and showing him articles on WHY it is so important and now he's fully on board and we purchased a brilliant Maxicosi Cabriofix seat (has some of the top safety ratings) from Amazon for £75

 

[pinkcatgirl]

Think they last 6-8 years according to maxi cosi website...

 

[SonAmyMom]

I have a friend who couldn't take her baby home from the hospital until they got the correct seat (I don't think theirs was expired, but it was a convertible and the baby wasn't big enough ... I can see it happening for expired seats, too). Maybe mention to your husband how inconvenient it would be if he had to run out and buy a new seat while you wait to be discharged from the hospital.

I won't use a car seat that has been used by anyone else, expired or not. Someone gave me a baby car seat as a shower gift, and it was older (3 point harness, not 5-point) and didn't even have the base ... I was lucky enough that, at the time, Toys R Us was having an exchange program and we save a good amount of money on a new car seat. Maybe look into programs in your area to see if there is any sort of program like that going on. That way you can be safe and save a bit.

 

[tamina800]

"Who would know" is such a wrong line of thought.
He knows and it should freak him out. I just don't understand some men. Safe carseat is so so important. Would he ever forgive himsf if his child was inured due to his car seat stinginess? I don't know what to say...just stand your ground on this and if he wants you to find money for it, find it - in his wallet!

 

[emmi26]

sorry but babys safety comes first your absolutely right hun

emma

 

[AMB1216]

I completely feel you, my SIL had said something about giving us her old seats since she has 1 girl and 1 boy and I'm sure they are still "good" but I'd feel better about it if we got a brand new one that way we know. Guys don't really understand stuff like this.

 

[MommyFirefly]

You're totally in the right.

Men sometimes need a 'second opinion'. Find a good article on WHY it's dangerous and show it to him. It should help.