Joie Stages Rear Facing Installation | Includes alternative method for short seat belts

In this video I explain how to install the Joie Stages car seat rear facing. The Stages is a car seat that can be used rear facing from birth to 18kg which is about four years.
In some cars the seat belt appears to be too short for the Stages, so I also explain how to install it if your belts turn out to be a little too short.
rearfacingtoddlers.com/produc...
If you found this video helpful and would like to 'buy me a coffee', please visit www.buymeacoffee.com/rearfacing

[@emilyhiles3076]

So much better than the official video, thank you!

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you!!

[@nicoleismint]

Perfect! Thank you so much for doing this video. It's not the simplest seat to figure out! (Our toddler is lovely and comfy in it though)

[@MrThapaliya233]

This is by far the best video for Joie Car seat installation. Thank you!

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you so much!

[@juliegraham6468]

Yes agreed! Sone people talk to much about their circumstances and how they borrowed a car seat blah blah. Just get on with it This video did exactly that. Perfect explanation as to what i was doing wrong! Great tutorial

[@teeceelondon]

Thank you so much for this video. So much simpler to understand. My husband and I spent hours watching the Joie versions and couldnt work out what needed to be done. You are a life saver. Thank you.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you so much! :)

[@faithmatambo1297]

I couldn’t agree more!

[@faithmatambo1297]

I couldn’t agree more!

[@gracecook1320]

Thankyou ! Tried alternative route (plus other suggestions online of sliding back into no 4 blue setting after it was plugged in and moving passenger chair back after fitting) and it worked so pleased as thought it wouldn't fit!

[@matthew4900]

Perfect. Exactly what I needed to know 👍

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you. :)

[@JamesG_BKK]

thanks for the video Margaret - very easy to follow. Great job!

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thanks very much, you're very welcome.

[@tasbeehmohamed3412]

Awesome illustration! Even better than joie themselves! Thanks.

[@thinkpositive4918]

Thanks so much for the clear explanation. You just solved my problem in 2 mins. God bless you

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you. :)

[@siphelelekhankhan]

Thank you for the video, very helpful. I will be buying this seat for my boy.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@darlingnewman2530]

You're video just helped me from getting scolded

[@thebigshug88]

Thank you! So much better than the supplied guide.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it.

[@RM-eo4iz]

Excellent video. Thank you, the printed instructions are not very clear. Nice one 👍

[@1Gwakie]

Thank You, I battled for a while to install - this video is so helpful.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful. :)

[@philippadelnon7635]

Thank you so much!!! I was ready to give up before!

[@RearFacingToddlers]

You're very welcome!!

[@chuttonmiah2882]

Perfect demo..Better than Joie Official demo video..Thank you

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you!

[@jbrogan]

So much better than the abomination of the instructions that Jolie provide! Thank you!

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Haha! You're welcome. :)

[@alexandrasadventures3507]

your video is amazing and so insightful! thank you!!

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you so much!

[@tomyeates8743]

This is really helpful. Thank you.

[@odannyboy26]

Perfect simple video instructions in the bin now..! Hahaha thanks again 👍🏼

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Hahaha, excellent! Thank you. :)

[@kimberleyjones2980]

Perfect thank you for this!

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ayeshapatel3876]

Great video, thank you!

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.

[@karendean798]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

You're welcome!

[@delboye101]

Nice and simple! Thank you!

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thanks. :)

[@sarahbennett3941]

Brilliant video, thank you

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you, you're very welcome.

[@brasolm7947]

Thank you much 🙏🏿 you are a star

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you!

[@RicherMusic]

Thank You!

[@Marina_c_xo]

Thank you!

[@kenchapp7656]

Even an idiot like me understood those great instructions 😊😊😊

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Haha, thank you!

[@pkouzan]

Perfect, thank you very much!!!

[@RearFacingToddlers]

You're welcome!

[@hholton7245]

great instructions, thanks.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

You're welcome!

[@Shyragirl80]

Thank u so much very clear instructn

[@RearFacingToddlers]

You are welcome 😊

[@beverlywalcott3154]

Thanks a million

[@jimbob9618]

Great video

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you. :)

[@garethgouws265]

You're brilliant

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you. :)

[@mbya777]

Great video hun c❤

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you!!

[@POOLEYTONY1]

thank you. i was doing it wrong.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

You’re very welcome

[@victoriahancox8269]

Thankyou so much for this. Do you have a video on how to install it facing outwards please. Many thanks xx

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Hi, There are a lot of car seats on the market that have the option to face forward. Facing forward is nowhere near as safe as rear facing, and most of these seats can rear face up to the same limits. I am a rear facing specialist and believe that children should rear face until they are six years old and never face forward in a harness. Therefore I only make videos on rear facing installations, I won't encourage people to use their car seats in a way that I know carries a much greater risk of injury in a crash.

[@victoriahancox8269]

@@RearFacingToddlers My child is 6 years old would like to know how to install it forward facing.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

This seat can be used forward facing as a high back booster from 18-25kg, which is around six. Chances are your child has probably outgrown this seat now and will need a high back booster up to 150cm/36kg.

[@jovanepistolato]

O vídeo é muito bom. Só não informa que não serve em qualquer carro. Tenho um Audi A6 e na posição até 18kg o cinto de segurança não alcança.

[@karoconnor5119]

Great video, thank you. Quick question, I've installed the seat but it feels loose. Like, I can rock it side to side. Is this normal or should it feel more secure than that? Maybe I've done something wrong.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

The Spin 360 can feel quite loose, but that is normal for this seat and is not unsafe.

[@karoconnor5119]

@@RearFacingToddlers perfect, thank you!

[@RearFacingToddlers]

You're welcome.

[@carlosgeorgio7143]

Look who it is 👀...my superwoman 🦸‍♀️ ♥ thanks for the short belt method.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Haha, thank you!!

[@Indica_noon]

What I’m struggling with is lifting a 14 month old over that seat belt which is very much in the way. His legs get tangled and he usually end up falling in sideways. Wish I’d have persevered with the silver cross until I could buy the better one with the iso base 😩

[@RearFacingToddlers]

This problem has a very simple solution. (I'm going to image that your Stages is installed on the passenger side, if it's behind the driver you will use the opposite arms.) Hold the child with your right arm under the back of his knees and your left arm behind his upper back. Turn him slightly and pass his legs feet first over the seat belt. Then turn him 90 degrees as you lower his bum into the seat and you're done. No more tangled legs or bumped heads! As you pass him into the car you will find that his weight and your arm just push the belt out of the way automatically, it's very easy once you get used to it.

[@Indica_noon]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. He’s behind me driving. That’s exactly what I try and do too except it’s easier said than done when he’s kicking about like an octopus lol. You’re right though it’ll just take a bit of practice x

[@kellyhulme8963]

@@RearFacingToddlers don't suppose you have a video of this do you? Thanks

[@chantellepedley5805]

Do they have to sit in the tilted position the whole time? My little one is 17months and i have just ordered this seat. Thanks for the great vid x

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Yes, when the Stages is installed rear facing, it has to be in the most reclined position, with the white triangle lined up with the blue 4. The height that this creates gives the seat its rebound protection, ie it stops it from tipping over in a crash. Vehicle seats always have a bit of a slope, some more than others, so while this seat looks very reclined when placed on a flat floor, in the car the sloped of the seats, sits this seat a bit more upright.

[@natashatomo6618]

6 seconds into your video clip shows the boy in a rear facing positioned car seat - hope this was an example only: as it is installed in what looks as though the front passengers side of the car which shows an air bag behind the boys head of the rear facing carseat

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Thank you for your concern, I can assure you that the airbag had been disabled.

[@smoetr8202]

Thnk u so much... this seat has been givin me a hard time, my son's 2.4y now & we r rearfacing but I hve to secure the carseat by squeezing the bck of the front passenger seat against it coz it still wiggles around ..r we supposed to do tht?!! Also I recently moved it to the middle seat coz we r driving on the highway alot nI want it to be away from the windows, I donno if tht's the best position? But I cnt fix it with the passenger seat nymore. Any advice??

[@RearFacingToddlers]

With one or two exceptions, all car seats should be free standing and be installed without relying on the front seat for support. You can move the front seat back to lightly touch the back of the car seat, but it shouldn't be wedged in. There is more movement in the Spin 360 than in some of the others, but that is normal for this seat and nothing to worry about. Just make sure that you have closed the gap between the seat and the car's backrest, and that the base lies flat on the vehicle seat, you should not be able to slide your hand underneath it. Installing it in the middle without the back of the front seats touching it is totally fine.

[@choochoochooseyou]

When removing the toddler at the end of the journey would you undo the seatbelt or lift them over it? Your second picture shows it stretched across the (exit gap).

[@RearFacingToddlers]

You lift them over. It looks like it's in the way, but it's actually not too bad at all.

[@sirsir6478]

Is this car seat suitable for a 1 month old newborn? I was told that newborns mustn't sit up like 1< year olds can and that could cause serious back/disk injuries.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

The main danger with newborns in a car seat that is too upright is the risk of suffucation from their heavy head falling forward and obstructing their airways. The Joie seats that are 'from birth to 18kg' all come with a newborn insert. The insert consists of padding to support the head and body, and a wedge that levels the seat and makes it less deep and therefore less upright. So with the insert this seat is safe for a one month-old baby.

[@Doozy10]

My 7 month old is going to start using this seat soon. How easy is it to install into a 2 door car? And is it really difficult would it be to get him into it whilst it's already positioned?

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Hi, It's definitely doable, you just have to get in the back next to it, both for installation and to get the baby into the seat. Or if the car's airbag can be switched off you can just put the baby in the front next to you.

[@Oloberboo]

When would you stop using the wedge/insert? Our toddler is 2.5yrs, 11kg and 80cm height so low centiles. Can’t seem to get a good fit and he is escaping from the harness

[@RearFacingToddlers]

I have a pre-written reply to this question as it comes up a lot: "1. In all rear facing car seats, the harness needs to come out of the seat at shoulder level or just below. In a lot of the pictures we receive, the headrest and harness are too high. 2. The harness needs to be flat (not twisted), and as tight as possible. A gap near the soft tummy is fine, but the straps need to be snug on the baby/child’s shoulders. To tighten a five-point harness correctly, after fastening the buckle, pull the shoulder straps up through the buckle to remove the slack from the hips. Then make sure that the shoulder pads are in contact with the sides of the neck, before pulling the straps tight. We see a lot of pictures where the straps are too low on the shoulders or even on the upper arms. This makes the harness look v-shaped which is not safe. The straps need to be as parallel as possible. 3. Children should not wear padded coats in their car seat. 4. The chest/shoulder pads are often attached with Velcro and some people move them down. Doing this won’t affect the seat’s performance, but moving the pads should not be necessary. If you are unable to pull them down into the correct position, you can usually fix this by moving the headrest/harness up one notch. The folded edges of the pads should face each other in the middle, and the poppered edges should be on the outside. 5. Most infant carriers and seats from birth to 105cm/18kg have inserts that are removed as the baby grows. These inserts need to stay in for as long as they fit. We can’t put an exact age on that, because the inserts vary from seat to seat and babies vary in size. But generally speaking when it starts to look like the baby is sitting on the seat rather than in it, and/or when it becomes difficult to fasten the buckle, it’s time to take the inserts out. The wedge/insert needs to stay in until the baby is tall enough for the straps to be level with the shoulders without it. If, with the headrest in its lowest position and the wedge removed, the straps come out above the shoulders, then the wedge needs to stay in for a bit longer. 6. Some people worry that the buckle and therefore the hip straps, sit too high on the tummy. This is not a thing. If it were, car seats’ buckle lengths would be adjustable. In a forward facing seat a high buckle might be a risk to the abdominal organs, but in a rear facing seat the child moves away from the harness on impact and the height of the buckle is neither here nor there. Car seat harnesses are designed to fit a child correctly, so if they are tall enough to fit the shoulder straps, the buckle and hip straps will be correct too."

[@joaocabral7932]

My chair has a one piece protection until 9kg but my baby has more than 9kg and I need remove it. Do I still insert the seatbelt on the side spaces before I put the baby, so below his body or now that the protection is off I put the baby first and then the side seatbelt?

[@RearFacingToddlers]

The installation is exactly the same whether you use the insert or not. Without the insert the baby just sits on the seat belt.

[@carolineconnabeer7463]

I have removed all the covers to wash. I’m struggling to find any video showing the order and how to reattach each section to end up with a toddler seat fitting. Can anyone help please thanks Caroline

[@RearFacingToddlers]

This is something I will make a video about very soon. I have noticed that there are quite a few videos on KZbin on how to remove covers, but not many on how to put them back on, so this is something I will try to cover.

[@yarrumblob]

How are you meant to get a toddler in it with the seatbelt blocking access?

[@RearFacingToddlers]

The seat belt doesn't block access to the seat. In most cars there will be plenty of slack left in the belt and if you lift the child over the belt feet first, the belt just moves down as you do that. You hardly notice it. In cars with shorter belts that don't have a lot of slack and don't move very much, it's still not a problem. As long as you lift the child facing forward away from you, so with their back to your chest, and them lift them over the belt feet first, you'll find it's really easy.

[@rupertmatthews6987]

Great video but I would like to see your son get into that seat, also does he find it comfortable having his legs like that?

[@RearFacingToddlers]

No at all, children don't find sitting with their legs crossed uncomfortable like adults might. I assume you're referring to the picture of my son at the start of the video. That picture was taken quite a few years ago, he is eight now, so I can't video him in this seat anymore, but I may be able to make a video of a few friends' children soon. The trick is to hold the child facing away from you and then put them in the seat feet first, it's not hard at all.

[@tomsammons6480]

The belt across is really annoying when getting him out and putting him in….. wish I’d just paid a bit extra and got the isofix one.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

I think it depends on the car. In some the belt can be quite high and the roof low. If the belt is lower and the roof higher, then it's not a problem. The trick is to pass the child feet first over the belt, that's a lot easier.

[@hayleykakie6079]

Is it okay for the front passenger seat to touch the back of the seat when rear facing?

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Yes, it can lightly touch but not push against it.

[@lisethernandez1593]

I tighten my straps too much, trying to untwist them. It won't loosen now for as much as I press the button.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Hi, I have not come across this before. Could you send me a video of it on Facebook? My page is called Rear Facing Toddlers.

[@rebeccasmith1890]

How do you move the harness up on the shoulders?

[@RearFacingToddlers]

The straps are linked to the headrest, so when you raise the headrest the harness will go up with it. There is a lever at the top of the headrest. Just squeeze that lever and slide the headrest up.

[@ameliabutt8313]

On mine, I have an extra belt that attaches to the car? Is this needed or is it an extra?

[@RearFacingToddlers]

That will be the Stages FX, which uses ISOfix and a top tether when forward facing. That is what that strap is. I do not recommend using the Stages (or any car seat) forward facing as it rear faces up to the same limits and that is much safer. But if you do want to use it forward facing, the top tether must always be used. Not all cars have top ther point, so do double check that yours does.

[@user-fn1lj7yh1z]

My baby is 10kg and 11 months old and i want to put him on stage 1 . Is it wrong for the car seat to face back? I want to adjust the recline.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

This car seat can only be installed on full recline when rear facing (the blue 4). This car seat should be used rear facing until the 18kg harness limit is reached at about four years old. At 11 months your baby cannot face forward, it’s not safe.

[@lidiak123]

Ive removed the newborn insert, but the wedge that they would basically sit on I havent removed. My son is 1.5 years old, when do i remove that part? Appreciate any help the user manual isnt clear

[@RearFacingToddlers]

The order in which the inserts are removed is headrest first (at around 3-4 months), body cushion second (around 6-9 months) and wedge last. Joie recommend 18 months, but in my experience that is usually too big. I never use the wedge for babies over 12 months. You will find the harness much easier to fasten and the overall fit much better. When you take the wedge out the baby will sit lower down in the seat and be more upright, so you will need to lower the headrest and adjust the recline.

[@lidiak123]

@@RearFacingToddlers thank you so much!

[@Laura-jn2ob]

Hi, sorry to jump on so late, but my mum bought a stages for my 1yo, what’s the difference between body cushion and wedge? She’s taken all inserts out but the lower part of the harness is across his abdomen, so maybe he still needs something in there?

[@lidiak123]

@@Laura-jn2ob at 1:16 in the video she shows it. I think the wedge comes out of the body part bit if I remember correctly x

[@danimoseley4538]

So if my daughter isn’t in the newborn insert she’s going to be sitting on the seatbelt? Can someone just confirm and that I’m not missing a step😅x

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Yes, that's right. The seat belt lies flat across the Stages and is not in the way at all, she won't notice it.

[@robynbrown5381]

Thanks for asking this question as I’ve just ordered this seat for my almost 2 year old and would prefer him rear facing for as long as possible so he won’t need the newborn inserts and I wondered about the whole sitting on seatbelt thing!

[@catmanslim7215]

This is the exact reason I am watching these videos haha

[@collins.macharia]

Thought I missed a step same reason for watching

[@eilz2256]

Having problems getting the seatbelt to fit in ford focus ztec 2015 😓

[@RearFacingToddlers]

The seat belt being too short is not something that happens a lot, but when it does happen, I'm sorry to say it is nearly always in a Ford Focus... Have you tried the alternative method that I show in this video? If that doesn't work, then I'm afraid you may have to give up and try a different car seat.

[@samanthaboyce5123]

Should my 10month old still have the baby insert In? I took it out because he didnt fit in it properly but now I'm questioning it? Thankyou

[@RearFacingToddlers]

It depends on how big he is. At that age some babies will still need it and others will be too big. If he didn't fit well on the wedge you were probably right to take it out.

[@samanthaboyce5123]

Thankyou so much for your reply, he seems much better without so I will leave him

[@mineminc]

What's the name of this model? I got it from my sister. Can I install it front-facing?

[@RearFacingToddlers]

This is the Joie Stages. It rear faces up to 18kg, and has the same forward facing limit. Since rear facing is much safer and the limits are the safe, I don't recommend using it forward facing at all.

[@mineminc]

@@RearFacingToddlers thanks. I've viewed some models from Joie and I think all seats for toddlers below 18kg are rear facing

[@nathanielgregory8740]

How to loosen shoulder strap

[@RearFacingToddlers]

There is a slit in the cover just above the adjuster strap. If you put your finger in there you'll feel a flat piece of metal. Push that down and hold it, and then pull the straps down. Pull the straps below the pads, not the pads themselves.

[@MrThapaliya233]

Hi, my car seat belt is too long and its not tightened. And I also did not get blue clip either! for the product Joie Baby Every Stage Group 0+/1/2/3 Car Seat, Ember. Do you think that this is a missing part? I dont see anywhere on the booklet about the clip.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Hi, This is the Stages, the Every Stage is a different seat. Your Every Stage has blue clips built in on the back. The seat belt locks into those and the diagonal part that goes across the door may appear loose and too long, but that's normal.

[@MrThapaliya233]

@@RearFacingToddlers Thanks. I was wondering whether everything needs to be tightened. That's an assurance, thank you very much!.

[@nhching776]

Can we just left the Stages permanently installed in our car with seat belt on it all the time? Since this is the only car we use to bring out our baby.

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Absolutely.

[@user-sb1sq3ik8s]

There isnt a place on my car seat for the seat belt?

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Which car seat do you have?

[@courtneywhite9420]

What's the red leavers for?

[@RearFacingToddlers]

I'm not sure which levers you mean, but on a car seat that meets the R44/04 regulation, the seat belt path is indicated in red for forward facing and blue for rear facing. I have not mentioned the red bits in this video, because I installed the seat rear facing, but they are where the seat belt goes when the seat is used forward facing.

[@flom2418]

The puckle pad is awful constantly falling off and I’ve lost it loads now

[@RearFacingToddlers]

It has Velcro on the bottom edge and there’s Velcro in the slit in the cover where the buckle comes out. If you stick it together, it should stay in.

[@erikascats9207]

But how do you loosen?

[@RearFacingToddlers]

There is a slit in the fabric cover just above the pull strap. When you put your finger in there you will feet a flat metal button. Push that down and hold it and then grab the straps the straps just below the chest pads and pull them down.

[@stevenfostser6263]

Oh cool

[@carolinavillegas4264]

Is it safe to use without the blue clip?

[@RearFacingToddlers]

When the seat first came out in 2012 it didn't have a blue clip and it was considered safe. But in independent tests it got a better side impact result with the clip, so it is now included with every Stages and Tilt, and the clip must be used. If you have lost yours you can contact Joie customer service and they will send you a replacement.

[@carolinavillegas4264]

@@RearFacingToddlers thank you!

[@jacquelinecanada7629]

That short seatbelt method is not useful for me as my seatbelt is still 20cm too short

[@RearFacingToddlers]

It's not guaranteed to work in ever car. Unfortunately in some cars the belt is too short.

[@sigurdselnes9046]

Hi

[@RearFacingToddlers]

Hi, How can I help?

[@omare5908]

Thank you!

[@RearFacingToddlers]

You're welcome!