dumb, dumb question

[candybomiller]

I know that a car seat is outgrown when the top of the ears reach the top of the seat. Is this when the child is resting his head against the seat or when the child is sitting up?

[Joolsplus2]

If it's forward facing, scrap the tops of the ears reco and go with the shoulders above the top slots...that usually happens before the ears get up there (ie, don't let the shoulders go over the top slots, or the weight limit be exceeded).
And just for the sake of thinking about it...I think it's when the head is leaning back....the whole point is to prevent whiplash injury, so would the seat be high enough to prevent the neck from slamming backwards over the top/back of the seat in a rear-ender? You kind of have to imagine it... not pretty, unfortunately.

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx