slot height for 15 month old rf

[lauralou]

Ok he is sitting at the 2nd slot should I use the second or the first slot for rf?When I say sitting at it,he is level maybe a smudge below.Which one is safer for rf.tia

[flipper68]

Rearfacing harness should be "at or below" the shoulder.

That's the party line. Add in a squirmy kid who arches and/or slouches and it's much harder to judge.

Most people find that the harness doesn't stay on the shoulders as well when it is too far below the shoulders. The harness probably should be moved to the next slot when the previous harness slot is about an inch below the shoulders (hitting the wide portion of the shoulder blade). In some cases, the distance between the slots is pretty wide (2+") so it's a bit of a judgement call as to when to move the harness.

Keep in mind the purpose of any CR is to keep child secure / limit their movement. In a crash, a RF child will go UP along the back of the seat - (also why there needs to be seat shell ABOVE the child's head). If the harness is too far above the shoulders (or loose), the child has that much MORE room to move, increasing chance of injury.

As long as you're dealing with a "smidge" I'd say you're definitely in the "safe" or "recommended" zone. When the harness slot is at neck, jaw (or ear :eek:) height that you should be concerned.

HTH!

[lauralou]

ok thank you