What exactly are pool noodles FOR?

[MomofOlivia407]

This is the last question in my previous thread, but I thought it might get some answers in this section because I really want to know! thanks!

previous thread: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=40057

So, I went out to the car last night to see how DH's install was different than mine. It wasn't-except for the fact that he used the pool noodle the tech gave us last summer. So my new question is: I had it level when I installed it, but he uninstalled it to put the pool noodle under it. I thought the noodle was just used to get it level? What am I missing? thanks!

[mish]

Pool noodles just help with the recline angle of car seats. Some vehicle seats slope down and therefore make the seat sit up too upright. Also, if you are using the infant seat without the base, a pool noodle (or two or three) will fill up the space between the car seat and the vehicle seat, making it install a little better. The snugride has a foot that comes down so I usually don't have to use a noodle with one. Do you have the foot all the way down?

[MomofOlivia407]

Yes, the foot is down...I put it down & it was completely level, but he undid it because he said we need the noodle...because the tech did it that way last summer. BUT, last summer DD was a newborn, and now is almost 12 months old...so I don't THINK we need to still use the noodle???? :confused:

[joolsplus3]

If there was no orange in the window, you never needed a noodle. You probably don't now, either. Some techs are a little noodle-happy :rolleyes: Though, if your center has a bit of a hump, the noodle will make it less tippy/more solid than that slippery foot the Snugride has.

[mish]

I can't say whether you need the noodle or not without seeing it, but you likely don't. She should be able to sit up and control her head quite a bit better now:). He probably just wants the noodle under it because that is what the tech did. Maybe you could go back to the tech? Or, post pictures and maybe we can be of more help.

[crunchierthanthou]

If you can get an acceptable recline without the noodle, then don't use it. It's just one more thing to bother with. Newborns need to be at a 45 degree angle, but older babies can be a bit more upright, as long as their heads don't slump when they sleep. The gauge on the side of the seat isn't always accurate. A rf convertible can be as upright as 30 degrees for older babies and toddlers.

[MomofOlivia407]

Thanks...so...should I go home & take the noodle out or just leave it in for now? It's not a safety issue, right? I wish I was at home so I could take a picture for you...poopy...

[mish]

I don't think it is a safety issue. You did say the seat was in tight, right? And it isn't too reclined? Honestly, I would just go to a tech when I could if I were you. It sounds like your husband can get it in with no problem, but you still have some concerns when you do it. If you take it to a tech, they will walk you through the process and help you get comfortable when installing it yourself. Just make sure they don't just install it for you. You do it in front of them. And don't leave until you are comfortable. Good luck.

[MomofOlivia407]

The way they do it here is this-they told us to install it at home, then the tech checks it. All they did was look at it, put a pool noodle under it, and had DH tighten it a bit after. I guess they didn't explain more because it looked ok except for no pool noodle! I guess if I want to learn more I can tell them that I want to learn from them!

Yes, it is installed tightly. And I don't think it is reclined too much...I mean, it is a bucket seat so they recline most of the way anyway I think.

It's all very interesting...I wish they would have educated us a bit, too, since I never knew about ERF & certainly didn't learn about it from them! (and a tech taught my childbirth prep class-which was packed-and we don't remember her saying a word about ERF, either...)

Anyway, thanks again.