Need link that says it's ok for legs to touch seat RF

[christiab]

It came up in our playgroup that a child's legs should not touch the seat back and you should turn FF at that point. I corrected that thinking, but I need a link to back it up.

I could also use a link that talks about when a seat is outgrown, ie top of head 1" below top of shell RF, at ears FF. HELP!!!

[jeanum]

You can find loads of good info. to back you up on RF at http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx

[kellyotn]

I was going to suggest the same link.

It has a whole paragraph about the legs' comfort and safety that you can copy for them. :) Especially the "not a single documented case of children's legs, hips, etc. breaking or being injured" and "However, even if a leg or hip were broken or injured, it can be fixed. A damaged spinal cord (from forward-facing too soon) cannot be repaired and subjects the child to lifelong disability or death."

[momtoB]

Also, The AAP recommends r/fing past one year:

http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm

"Forward-facing seats

Once your child is at least 1 year of age and is at least 20 pounds, he can ride forward-facing. However, it is best for him to ride rear-facing until he reaches the highest weight and height limits allowed by the car safety seat. "

These two might be linked in the cpsafety site the others referenced but I thought I would go ahead and link them here as well:

http://www.carseatsite.com/rear-face_article.htm

http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html

And this is a really good article about extended rear-facing:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9916868/

This is the NHTSA's "Are you using it Right" which doesn't specifically address the feet touching the back seat however I think that is a little telling...(don't you think they would mention it if it were a danger?)
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/AreYouUsing2005Web/pages/RFconvertSeatYES.htm

OK I could go on and on, lol. I hope this helps!

Cheryl
ds-4/03 ~ still r/fing in a Britax Boulevard

[christiab]

Thanks a bunch!!! I was shocked when a mom w/ a master's in engineering who only feeds her kids organic foods, won't use pesticides or chemicals in her house, and uses unbleached cloth diapers wants to turn her kids FF 'cause their legs touch the seat!! UMMMM, OK?!!

I view them as equally important, KWIM??