Help! Helmet/Childseat Interface Problem
 

At 15 months old, my newest son is just about old enough to come out riding now, we think. So, we bought him a child seat, and a helmet, mounted the seat on our tandem, and away we went. Trouble is, the helmet has significant rear overhang, and this hits the backrest of the seat, making it rather uncomfortable for him. Things got worse when he fell asleep, and his head either lolled forward, or if it went back, it pushed the helmet over his face (which I suspect means it needs to be a little tighter too). We had to turn back in the end after only a few miles, because he was very uncomfortable. Pics below show the problem - how can we get round this? We can't be the only ones struggling with this!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/P5250056.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...2/P5250057.jpg

Some of the child seats have a lower back, which would help, but the other option is a helmet that does not come to a point in the back. I think the Nutcase helmets are completely rounded.

Most of the parents I know who use child seats try not to ride when the kids are sleepy because there is not really a good way for them to sleep. A trailer is better for sleepy rides.

Cash for a trailer is limited to the point of non existance! It might be we need to stick to short rides til next summer then, but a different helmet may be an approach.

Put a towel behind the child's back to move him forward just enough that the point of the helmet doesn't push his head down.

A towel behind the neck might work, but it looks like that might cause your son to be in a leaning forward position for the ride. If the seat can adjust with a little back lean, it could work. The rounded helmets will help some but alone I don't think they will solve the problem.

Some other options are:

- Get a different seat that would fit better with a helmet. I assume this would not work since you said money is tight.
- Cut away the part of the seat that is coming in contact with the helmet. I am not sure how this would affect the rigidity of the seat since it looks like that rolled over edge helps the seat remain rigid
- Go without a helmet

Write back with what works for you.

[QUOTE=masiman;8985896]A towel behind the neck might work, but it looks like that might cause your son to be in a leaning forward position for the ride. [ /QUOTE]

The towel goes behind the back, not neck, and it works, no maybe or might.

It very well may work. You neither discussed the problems with the solution nor other options. I will maintain that the towel solution is not always appropriate. I only wrote to give a more complete picture of what they might expect. It was not a personal attack on you.

If your child is still napping at random perhaps the seat isn't the answer yet. A trailer might work better.

Not an option

The bucket style helmets are much better because they don't protrude as much in the back. I got one for our kid at REI for ~$20. It's a good solution until they can fit into a Nutcase.

This is a very common problem bye the way.

The Lazer BOB helmet is designed for a trailer, but would probably work for your situation. It is smooth on the back.

I like the bucket style helmets much better for bike seats too. I find that in general the just stay in position much better for little ones. We have a firm pillow behind our guys back. It move him forward just enough to give his helmet a tiny bit of a shelf to sit on. Then if he falls asleep, the pillow "shelf" keeps his head leaned back just a tiny bit so his head isn't bobbing around.

I know that some bike seats recline, but the aren't widely available here, mainly in the UK.