Recaro Signo Rear Facing question

[Unregistered]

How important is the angle in RF installation? I just reinstalled our Recaro Signo and while it is super-duper tight using LATCH (move the vehicle seat tight) the angle seems more straight than before. I am using a noodle but it is pretty smushed. Is the angle more of a comfort thing or is it safety related? My son is 10 mos old, so neck support isn't a concern. I have pictures that I could post later but I am at work right now. Thanks for your help!

Angela

[Patriot201]

Is there anything in the manual stating that you must use a 45* angle? I am not all that familiar with the Recaro convertibles, so I don't know.

For *most* seats, a child with good head control can have a lesser angle (30* to 45*). A 10-month-old should fit into that category. :)

As long as there isn't anything in the manual stating that you must have a 45* angle, and as long as the degree isn't lesser than 30*, and as long as your child is comfortable, it should be fine. :)

[BW1426]

For an older baby/toddler with good neck control you can have the seat installed up to a 30 degree angle. For newborns it needs to be closer to 45 degrees (but never more than 45 degrees). Just pay attention to when he sleeps if his head slumps forward you'll want to recline the seat a touch more. As he gets older, while he's still RF, he'll want it less reclined. Very few toddlers like sitting in a seat reclined for a newborn.

Hope that helps.

[Patriot201]

As he gets older, while he's still RF, he'll want it more reclined.

:scratcheshead: Do you mean less reclined?

[Jeanum]

As long as your Signo's rear facing recline angle is no more upright than 30 degrees, and no more reclined than 45 degrees, and your little one's head isn't flopping down toward his chest when he's riding in it, then it's likely just fine. :) It's a combination of safety in terms of crash dynamics and maintaining the baby's airway, and also the baby's comfort. A more upright rear facing recline angle is preferable for an older baby so that the carseat's seatback can absorb more of the force of a crash. The Signo does tend to be fairly upright rear facing and a pool noodle is much more likely to be needed for a younger infant to recline enough to keep the baby's head from flopping down toward the chest and possibly compromising the baby's airway. Too reclined (more than a 45 degree recline angle) increases the odds that the baby will move toward the top of the carseat/toward the front of the vehicle ("ramp up") during a crash. Too upright (less than a 30 degree recline angle) can be uncomfortable and also means the rear facing carseat has more of a head start on rebounding toward the back of the vehicle in a crash.

[BW1426]

:scratcheshead: Do you mean less reclined?

Oops, yes that's what I meant. Thanks for pointing that out :) I'm not thinking totally clearly this morning--the kids have been up since 4:45 and I'm already in need of a nap. They seem to be holding up fine, though :rolleyes: