Rear facing Britax MA - legs too long is it time to turn forward?

[lisams]

DD is 14 months and weighs 26 lbs. She is tall - 90% in height and it seems like she is uncomfortable rear facing in her Marathon. Her feet lay flat against the back seat and her knees stick up because her legs are long. Sometimes she flops her knees out, but she gets fidgity like it just isn't comfortable. I looked in the manual, but it didn't say anything about outgrowing rear-facing as far as height. Should I turn her around, or do you think it's okay? As far as comfort, she tolerates it but I'm wondering for how long.

Thanks!
Lisa

[ladythebabygirl]

Maybe you should call up the britax company and ask them what they think about changing the seat to foward facing now.

Or maybe a carseat alliance or something. Just a suggestion

Mel

[cpstechmom]

I'm sure she is fine.. As long as she is under the rf wieght limit and has at least one inch of room above her head, she hasn't outgrown the seat. Children's legs are very flexible and they will accomodate extended rf. Here are some pictures of older/bigger children rear-facing. Most kids have no problems with moving thier legs, crossing them, stretching out someway.

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum.aspx

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx

Hope that helps!


Janice M. Mom to Cias-born 4/13/02 and forever rear-facing in his Britax Marathon.

[spu]

I was just going to post this same question today! My babies are 18m, and on the lighter side, but their legs are long so their feet are up against the seat and their legs are bent ad flopped to the side. I heard it's safer to keep them rf til 30 lbs for the marathon because of the proportion of head size / weight and body weight/strength, but I'm going to call Britax anyways just to see what they recommend. I'll let you know if I hear anything.

susan

twin girls 7.20.02
charlotte + else

http://sunger2.home.comcast.net/bash/nonflash/year.html

[lisams]

Thanks for the feedback. So it sounds like she's okay for now. She looks a little squished, but of course safety is what counts so we'll keep her rearfacing. Susan, I'd love to hear what Britax says.

Thanks again!
Lisa

[Joolsplus2]

I don't know if you made it to the gallery photos, but all these kids are quite happy to rearface...
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum.aspx

My dd far prefers it (she's 4 and voices her opinions loudly, to say the least, lol), since it's just more comfy to have your feet UP than dangling DOWN...think about adults with coffee tables...even WE like foot and leg support :)

The most important thing we are trying to protect in a car crash is the head and neck...since injury to them is so difficult if not impossible to fix, that's why it's so good to rearface, as the AAP recommends, to the weight limits and height limits of the seat (head even with the top of the seatback, weight limit in a Britax of 33 pounds).

Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Momof3Labs]

Colin is a bit taller (90th percentile for a boy - 33" as of the other day) though lighter than your DD and he is fine rear-facing in his Marathon in DH's car and the Roundabout in my car. Definitely check out the pics that were posted, and try to keep her rear-facing if you can! It is so much safer!!