How I stop my 19 month old's 'Houdini' act?

Hello!

HARNESS BATTLE: Advice would be appreciated – my 19 month old is constantly pulling his arms out of his carseat harness. We are driving, I can’t turn around and put them back in or pull over on a busy road. I try and catch him in the act but he doesn’t really listen… I’m at a loss! I’ve tried tightening the straps, it works when he has a jumper on but when it’s just a shirt he “Houdini’s” out of the straps!

Posted by Amy, 26/06/2013

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155 replies
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- - Ellen said
  - 20 Dec 2020
    4:19 am
I’ve had different types of Houdini’s and have a Buckle Guard cover for my 7yr old with Down Syndrome. On a certain point we had the Houdini’s back to front as well as our daughter discovered how to undo them. BigW sells a clip which is pretty good as well https://www.bigw.com.au/product/infasecure-safegrip-belt-clamp-red-clip/p/92994/
- - coastalkaryn said
  - 17 Jan 2016
    5:13 pm
don’t be too hard on them – this is just the age of exploring, and watching others, wanting to be free. Good luck!
- - 4littlemunchkins said
  - 23 Oct 2015
    6:28 pm
HOudini stop. Also make sure the harness is at the correct height.
- - mle00 said
  - 31 May 2014
    10:04 pm
I think you can buy ‘houdini’ straps actually, its a band that goes across the chest!
- - yyon4699 said
  - 07 May 2014
    7:44 pm
that’s a head scratcher… maybe something to distract him in the car?
- - ljsalomon said
  - 25 Jan 2014
    1:26 pm
Did you find something that worked?
- - kathryn said
  - 29 Dec 2013
    7:09 pm
ask at the baby shop as I think they sell child proof things for this exact problem
- - coppin85 said
  - 29 Dec 2013
    9:25 am
how is it now? 🙂
- - meltingmoment said
  - 03 Dec 2013
    10:40 am
Hope you found the answer you were looking for.
- - mggarner said
  - 28 Nov 2013
    11:43 am
How is your child going now?
- - mggarner said
  - 27 Nov 2013
    2:03 pm
My girls did the same thing but now they have grown out of it, hopefully yours will too.
- - meltingmoment said
  - 27 Oct 2013
    8:45 pm
I hope you have managed to find a solution.
- - snoopy said
  - 17 Oct 2013
    3:13 pm
How perfect these will be for your little houdini- houdini straps
- - a-edwards said
  - 27 Aug 2013
    9:35 pm
That is a really difficult stage!
- - maureen3 said
  - 27 Aug 2013
    7:20 pm
Hope you were able to solve the issue .
- - lynzstevo said
  - 22 Aug 2013
    11:29 am
Jodie80, I don’t think you read the question properly
- - rach1292 said
  - 19 Aug 2013
    2:36 pm
Go to this link to purchase Houdini stop in Australia for $20 http://www.myshopping.com.au/ZM–649339405_Baby_Gear
- - rach1292 said
  - 19 Aug 2013
    2:32 pm
Houdini stop. http://www.houdinistop.com/213524/html/page
- - a-edwards said
  - 19 Aug 2013
    2:13 pm
Are the straps right enough?
- - nicoleisback said
  - 06 Aug 2013
    3:18 am
I would suggest every time he pulls his arms out, pull over the car and explain you are not going anywhere while his arms are out (maybe even tell him he will be in trouble with the police if they see it). Don’t start the car again until his arms are back in and, if he does it before you pull out of the driveway get him out of the car and tell him he cannot go out if he can’t keep his straps on. It will make for a hard couple of weeks, and a lot of patience from you, but he will get the message really quickly