Quick question re: shoulder strap placement

[rylansmomma]

Just wanting to ask a quick question.....do the shoulder harness slots need to be above or below the child's shoulders? I am pretty sure it is AT or ABOVE but my friend thinks it is below..thank you!

[BW1426]

For rearfacing-- at or BELOW

For forward facing-- at or ABOVE

If you have them below the shoulders for a forward facing child, the child has an increased risk of spinal compression in a crash.

[momto2boysinOnt]

For rearfacing-- at or BELOW

For forward facing-- at or ABOVE

If you have them below the shoulders for a forward facing child, the child has an increased risk of spinal compression in a crash.

What exactly the risk if the straps are above the shoulders RF'ing?

[joolsplus3]

What exactly the risk if the straps are above the shoulders RF'ing?

In theory the child could 'ramp up' and possibly the head/neck could overextend over the edge of the seatback. This is probably less of a risk if you are using a seat with a 5-pt harness (a seat with no lapstraps, like a V-shaped infant seat harness or an overhead shield model convertible seat, will not have that extra protection to hold the child down and in the seat). I know my own dd is 'at' the second to top slots in her seat rearfacing, but when she settles down in her seat they are about half an inch above her shoulders, and that's ok with me, her harness is properly tightened and there's a lot of protective seatback over her head to keep her contained in a crash.

[momto2boysinOnt]

Thanks!