Rear facing installation of a FPSE

reseam

New member
Okay, I'm at a loss an I could use some help. I just spent I don't know how long trying to install our FPSE into a 2001 Ford Windstar bench middle seat(outboard behind driver). I can get it rock solid every time, it's the angle I'm concerned with. I got it once or so I thought, put DS inside for a test and it seems to be too upright, so I tried again. I have used 2 rolled up towels and one pool noodle and it still seems to be too upright. The manual says to make sure the base of the carseat is flat against the vehicle seat and if so the head shouldn't be too upright (my words not the manuals exact ones). So, how the heck do I know it's not too upright??? Is there anyway to tell easily??? Even when I put DS in there it was kind of hard to tell, his head wasn't slouching forward, but he was definatly not as reclined as he was in his FPSIV. Any thoughts, opinions, ideas, kicks in the head would be greatly appreciated!!!

Oh and one more question.....the harness strap location....DS tends to slump a bit so it was hard to tell exactly where his shoulders were. When I get him set upright his shoulders are slightly above the lowest slots, when he's slouched his shoulders are at the lowest slots. I figure you go with when he's not slouching, but if I do that then I have more trouble getting the harness really tight on his shoulders. Again any thoughts, ideas and especially kicks to the head would be appreciated!!!
 
ADS

Robert

CPST Instructor
The first part is hard to tell without seeing the child seat and knowing the weight and age of your child. I strongly recommend you see a technician which can be located at the "Free Carseat Inspection" link at the top.

As far as which slot to use rear facing, you want the harness straps at or below the shoulders. It sounds like using the lowest slot would be the best. The harness straps should also be snug against your childs body which can help with the slouching .
 

reseam

New member
more info

For the FPSE it states that if your child's shoulders are above the lowest slots, use the middle ones. So, taking this into consideration, since when he's not slouching his shoulders are slightly above the bottom slots, then we should use the middle ones, does this sound correct to you? As for the recline of the seat, I do wish to get it checked, should I make sure my son is with me at the checkup, would that help the techs to see if the recline is right for him? (My son is 3 1/2 months, 26 inches tall (long torso) and weighs 17 lbs with his clothes on)

Thank you for your reply.
 

SafeDad

CPSDarren - Admin
Staff member
I agree with Robert-

Since your child may not sit upright all the time and is usually below the bottom slots, I would use the bottom slots for little while until he is clearly always above them.

At 3.5 months, he should have a full 45 degrees of recline. In a couple months when he has better neck strength for head support, less recline is fine. We often use a "triangle" of pool noodles attached with duct tape when we need extra recline.

Definitely bring you son with you if you have your seat checked! Good luck!
 

reseam

New member
Thank you both for your replies, and especially thank you Darren for your information on the harness slots. My little guy is definatly a sloucher and having the harness in the first slot for the time being probably would be better for him.

I am actually using 2 towels and a pool noodle, wrong time of year for those things. And they are in a pyramid, and I can get a good recline, until I tighten it up, once I get it tight in there the angle tends to change. I found a message somewhere on the car seat board at parents place that suggested using a folded paper to help me visualize the adjustment I need to make to the recline and that has helped, but once again when I got it tight the angle changed, not too much off, but still not 45 degrees. I plan on trying again tomorrow and then having the seat checked. Thank you again for your time!
 

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