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View Full Version : When is a child too tall for a car seat?


schums
12-19-2005, 09:58 AM
This weekend, I bumped into a good friend whose DD just turned 3 the end of November. I hadn't seen her in her car seat in probably 3-4 months. It looks to me like she has outgrown her car seat by height (top of the head was definitely over the back of the seat, not sure about ears, tho). I think the seat was a Eddie Bauer convertible, but can't swear to it. Before I call my friend, I wanted to make sure that she really had outgrown it. I know that Britax says top of the ears. What's the rule for Eddie Bauer/Cosco seats?

Also, is there another seat that would have higher slots that I could suggest she look into? Her daughter is already FF, and I don't think she'll switch back, so a combo seat would work too. I just don't want her to run out and buy a booster -- her daughter is WAY too small and definitely NOT ready for one.

TIA,
Sarah
Mom to Alex (3/2002) and Catherine (8/2003)
Joolsplus2
12-19-2005, 12:26 PM
It's either when the tops of the ears are over the seatback OR when the shoulders are over the top harness slots that any seat is outgrown. Eddie Bauers are really short, and a Graco Platinum or Ultra Cargo or Evenflo Chase/Traditions/Generations/Bolero have top slots almost 2 inches higher to get her all the way to 40 pounds/age 4-5.

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx
schums
12-19-2005, 02:35 PM
Thanks for the info Julie. I've passed it along to my friend, and she was horrified that her daughter might not be safe in her car seat. She's on her way today to buy a new one before they leave on their Christmas trip!

Sarah
Mom to Alex (3/2002) and Catherine (8/2003)
SusanMae
12-19-2005, 05:38 PM
What about the Apex/Lancer/Alpha Elite....assuming that she doesn't have low seat backs.

Susan
Joolsplus2
12-19-2005, 05:58 PM
Oh yeah, good idea....I really need to file this into my everyday memory banks to mention it! Thanks!
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx
schums
12-19-2005, 08:42 PM
They drive a Honda something (smallish car not SUV), so I'm not sure about the height of the seat backs. My only concern with the Apex is that she's already 39 1/2" tall at barely 3. If she keeps growing like a weed, wouldn't she outgrow the Apex sooner than the Graco/Evenflos mentioned above because of the funky seat back rule?

Sarah
Mom to Alex (3/2002) and Catherine (8/2003)
SusanMae
12-19-2005, 09:33 PM
the apex has an adjustable seat back...so it really depends on the seat back of the car it's going in. There's no way to be truly sure without trying out the seat to see how high it can go in comparison to her seat backs. Maybe a day out and go to Toys R Us or Babies R Us to help her out and let the kiddies play?

Susan

ETA: If you go to this site and scroll down you will see pictures of the Apex in the captain's seat of a van. That may help you somehow as well.

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=4256
Joolsplus2
12-20-2005, 08:07 AM
Even 50 inch-ish kids will still have vehicle seatback behind their heads in the Apex, so it might well work for quite awhile (we DO have to treat the Apex like a backless booster, but I know enormous 7 and 8 yo's who still have vehicle seatback behind their heads in Hondas in no-back boosters...).

I agree with the playdate at BRU, lol.

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