Forward facing strap height

[bethinmpls]

Can a tech or someone who knows for sure answer this for me -

I know with my Britax convertible that when a child is FF in, the strap position is supposed to be at or above shoulder height. My question is - does it matter *how* much higher than shoulder height? I ask b/c a friend of mine had her son's straps at the very top harness slot (in a Britax Marathon), and I suggested she move them down either one or two slots (sorry, can't remember how many it was) where they would still be "at or above" his shoulders, and she insisted that as long as the straps are above the shoulders, they are fine, even if they are way above. Is this correct?

Thanks,
Beth

[Mom to a few]

It's best to use the first harness slot that is just above the shoulders. It's usually more comfortable for the child that way too because the harness doesn't rub on their neck, ears, etc like it does if it's WAY above.

Edited to add: Some carseats require that you use the very top harness position for FF because that's the only position that is reinforced for a frontal crash, but that's the only situation that I would personally use the very top slot. With the Marathon, I would certainly use the closest slot just above the shoulders. Good luck with your friend...In my experience, friends and family are sometimes the hardest to get through to!!

[Jeanum]

Using harness slots way above the child's shoulders sometimes is necessary in FF carseats that have only two or three sets of shoulder harness slots with fairly big spacing between the slot heights, or when only the top set of shoulder harness slots is reinforced and intended to be used for FF. This shouldn't be the case though with the Marathon with multiple sets of shoulder harness slots that can be used FF, and smaller spacing between the slot heights. It's really more correct to say to use the shoulder harness slots that are right at the child's shoulders, or the slots that are above and closest to the child's shoulders in seats like the MA.