When do you move the seatbelt to the next level in the Britax Marathon?

[HIU8]

DS is 27 inches and the lowest level where the five point harness is, is right below his shoulders by about an eigth of an inch. He seems smooshed when we put him in the carseat. So we moved the seatbelt to the next level and he looks more comfortable, but that set of slots is in line with the last third of his ears. Is that safe, or do we need to put the harness back down to the lowest level? I feel bad though, because DS always looks so uncomfortable that way?

Thanks,

Heather

[DebbieJ]

Is he rear-facing? The straps must be at or below his shoulders, not above.

If the straps start falling off his shoulders, then you can move them up.

Sounds like you need to move them back down.

~ deb
DS 12/03
And a niece or nephew arriving in early August!

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[HIU8]

DS is rear facing. He is only 6.5 months old. It sounds like I do need to move them back down.

Thanks,

Heather

[Joolsplus2]

Yeah, bottom slots are good for most kids till about a year old. Just be sure to loosen the harness every time so you can get him out easily and put him back in, and there's no need to squoosh him in there, just keep the harness snug on his shoulders. If the harness is too far above his shoulders, forces wont be spread evenly, his legs will take a lot of the force, rather than legs and shoulders. If the straps get WAY too far below his shoulders, and start slipping off the sides of his arms, then YES move it up, even if it's above his shoulders still, because slipping off the shoulders is really bad.
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[HIU8]

Thank you. I will change it back to the way it was.

Heather