How to keep rear facing longer, what car seat?

[Unregistered]

Hi,

I have a 12 month old daughter who is 30 inches long and 22 pounds. She is currently rear facing in a Britax Diplomat. I bought the Diplomat because I drive a small car, VW golf. The Diplomat has a weight limit of 30 pounds and 30 inches for rear facing or if the child's head is one inch from the end of the back of the seat. Her head is not yet one inch from the back of the seat, however, she is 30 inches long.

What car seat is everyone using that you can keep your child rear facing until 2 years of age? I can't seem to find one that has a height limit of more than 32 inches for rear facing. Is it unsafe to keep the child rear facing when she has outgrown the height limit of the seat?

Thanks for your help.

Julie

[Jeanum]

I moved your post to our Canadian and International forum so that you'll get Canadian-specific advice due to your location in Canada because you have some different seat options and RFing weight limits for Canadian certified seats.

[canmom]

Hi and welcome to c-s.org . If you want to register your post will show up quicker and you can PM board members.

Your daughter can remain rfing in her Diplomat until she has 1" of hard shell above her head. Height limits are guidelines... some children will outgrow a seat before the numerical limit and some will outgrow it after they have reached the numerical height limit.

I'm not sure how long the Diplomat lasts most children as it is a smaller seat. There are much larger options on the market, for example The First Years TruFit rf to 35lbs and doesn't state a numerical height limit, this seat goes strictly by the 1" rule (my 3yr old son still fits with room to grow height wise). Once children have good head control a rfing seat can be installed more upright than the full 45 degrees... for Britax as upright as 30degrees is acceptable. Installing a car seat more upright can save a lot of space in a vehicle. I have installed a TruFit in a Golf... I just can't remember the model year of that particular vehicle (may be able to find it for you). Good luck!