RF install of EFTA for newborn....

[amjbmommy]

I know to have the recline at the 1 postition for RF'ing in the EFTA but for my 3 week old ds to make sure it's at the correct angle as long as that arrow on the base that says " must be parrallel with ground" is parrallel am I safe to assume it's at the correct angle. I had dh install it SUPER tight with the latch and some of the base is resting on the back of the seat but the latch is SO TIGHT that it's not going anywhere but I'm wondering also if we should put a pool noodle under the space of that part of the base that isn't touching the seat.... hope I'm making some sense.... I'm a bit sleep deprived, lol.

[Pixels]

If the install is tight and the recline is okay, you don't need to use a pool noodle. You don't need to fill the space just to fill the space.

You can fold a paper over diagonally to check the angle. Like this: http://www.car-seat.org/picture.php?albumid=64&pictureid=511 Put the folded side up against the seat where baby's back would go. Then you can easily see how the other edges of the paper compare to horizontal and verticle. Don't forget that you need to have the car parked on level ground when you do this.

[Mommy2Marcus]

Pictures would also be helpful.

Off topic here, but how do you like the EFTA for a newborn? Does it fit him well? I would LOVE to see pics of him in it!

[An Aurora]

Are you saying there is a gap under the seat? If so, you need a noodle--the base needs to be ON the vehicle seat, or on a noodle. Otherwise the seat is just "floating".

[Mommy0608]

Are you saying there is a gap under the seat? If so, you need a noodle--the base needs to be ON the vehicle seat, or on a noodle. Otherwise the seat is just "floating".

:yeahthat:

Sounds like in order to get it reclined properly, you ended up with the front of the base up on the seat back, which is not safe. The base must be flat on the seat, and if that makes the seat too upright, then a pool noodle or tightly rolled towel is needed right in the seat bight (crack in vehicle seat) for the front of the base to rest on.

Feel free to post pictures if you'd like us to double check it for you. :)

[amjbmommy]

nak.... thanks for the replies :) looks like i'll take a trip to WM for a pool noodle..... i'll try to post some pics as well. to the pp who asked about the fit i think he fits great in it. he's 3 1/2 weeks and 10 1/2lbs and 22".... not sure of his torso. i've only had him in it in the house and haven't gone for a ride yet, i'll get the noodle and re-install and take some pics and go from there :)

[Mommy0608]

Walmart has a few different sized noodles (at least at my local store anyway). The bigger (wider) ones are sturdier, but if it's too big around, you can cut it length-wise and use a half of a noodle. That's what I did for my True Fit actually.

Looking forward to seeing some pics. ;)

[snowbird25ca]

You can fold a paper over diagonally to check the angle. Like this: http://www.car-seat.org/picture.php?albumid=64&pictureid=511
Put the folded side up against the seat where baby's back would go. Then you can easily see how the other edges of the paper compare to horizontal and verticle. Don't forget that you need to have the car parked on level ground when you do this.

I would not use the paper trick with the EFTA due to the way the shell is shaped and the fact that the child's back also tends to have an ever so slight curve - so you could get a different angle depending on the point that you place the piece of paper.

The best bet is to have the line level to the ground and then watch what happens when the child falls asleep. It is possible for the line to be off slightly, and in the case of a light newborn whose head drops straight down chin to chest then it is fine to recline it slightly more.

I am not and never have been a fan of the paper angle trick because when it comes down to it it is no more accurate than using a line on the seat - if anything it could be less so unless you use something to make sure the angle the paper is folded at is perfect and confirm somehow that what visually looks level to you is level. Eye-balling if the top of a piece of paper is level is really no different than determining whether a line is level. :twocents:

Otherwise the best bet is to watch the child. Parents are already being taught how to install the seat, so I teach them how to tell if the seat is too upright for their child and how they should remedy it. You'll always know if a seat is too upright because it looks too upright - and typically an over-reclined seat looks like the child is laying back instead of semi-upright.

[Pixels]

I am not and never have been a fan of the paper angle trick because when it comes down to it it is no more accurate than using a line on the seat - if anything it could be less so unless you use something to make sure the angle the paper is folded at is perfect and confirm somehow that what visually looks level to you is level. Eye-balling if the top of a piece of paper is level is really no different than determining whether a line is level. :twocents:
By definition, if you cut a 90 degree angle in half by folding the paper over and lining up the sides, the angle is 45 degrees. And for most people, it will be much easier to compare an 8.5x11 inch piece of paper than a 3 inch long line on the carseat. I really don't see how eyeballing to see if a piece of paper is level, where you can look at both horizontal and vertical at the same time, is going to be any less accurate than eyeballing a horizontal line on the carseat.

[snowbird25ca]

By definition, if you cut a 90 degree angle in half by folding the paper over and lining up the sides, the angle is 45 degrees. And for most people, it will be much easier to compare an 8.5x11 inch piece of paper than a 3 inch long line on the carseat. I really don't see how eyeballing to see if a piece of paper is level, where you can look at both horizontal and vertical at the same time, is going to be any less accurate than eyeballing a horizontal line on the carseat.

How often do you cut slightly crooked when cutting a line? How many people are scientific in making sure that paper is perfectly in half?

What about seats which don't have a perfectly straight back but have more of a bowl shape the way the EFTA does? At what point do you place the piece of paper? Do you compress the padding or not? If so, by how much? Should the 45* angle occur at the upper part of the shell or the part where the baby's head is?

Or you could just use the indicator the manufacturer has told you to, and watch the child in the seat. The child is ultimately the best indicator of whether the seat is reclined enough - and this goes for older babies/toddlers as well. :shrug-shoulders:

[An Aurora]

Maybe if you put the paper along the line on the base of the seat, you could get a more accurate reading with it.