Question Head Flop Problem

Rachelb · Jul 26, 2010

Tanner's head seriously flops forward when he falls asleep, and I don't like it at all. I guess it's not too bad if he falls asleep on 2 mile drive to school, but we have a 5 hour trip coming up this weekend. DH thinks I'm silly to worry bc we had help from a certified tech when we installed the seats. I just have to hope that this can be fixed.

Any advice? Or can someone tell me it's OK?

- Tanner is 7 months with great head control (sits and is starting to army-crawl).
- The seat is a Recaro ProRide, which is in the full recline position. We used the seat belt for install since the LATCH never seemed tight enough. No pool noodles were used.
- The car is a 2008 Volvo S40, with the car seat behind the passenger seat.

Maedze · Jul 26, 2010

Flopping is not inherently dangerous for a baby who is old enough to have developed the necessary cartilage in the trachea.

I know you said you had it at the full recline, but what is the actual degree of recline? Is it 45 degrees?

Rachelb · Jul 26, 2010

Maedze said:
Flopping is not inherently dangerous for a baby who is old enough to have developed the necessary cartilage in the trachea.

I know you said you had it at the full recline, but what is the actual degree of recline? Is it 45 degrees?

I have no idea. What's the best way to measure that?

The seat doesn't have any "level to ground" line or degree markers on it. Please tell me there's an easier way than a protractor!

Maedze · Jul 26, 2010

The Paper trick is the easiest way to tell. Fold a right angle in a piece of paper, and hold your angle against the seatback. The bottom of your paper should then be parallel to the ground, if the seat is at 45 degrees.

Rachelb · Jul 27, 2010

I'll measure it today. If it's not 45 degrees, should I try to reinstall?

Chely7425 · Jul 27, 2010

My 2 year old get head flop in his RF complete air... we have it installed at a 30 degree angle to fit in the car, but I am sure installing it more reclined would help some. I am not a tech but I would think if the seat is more upright than 45 degrees that putting it to 45 degrees would help the head flop.

JerseyGirl'sMama · Jul 27, 2010

Rachelb said:
I'll measure it today. If it's not 45 degrees, should I try to reinstall?

Your seat can be installed between 45 and 30 degrees, with 30 degrees being the most upright. At 45 degrees, he very likely won't have any head slump, but may not like laying down that far. Newborns need that angle to keep their heads from slumping forward and blocking their airways.

I currently have my 10 month old at a 37 degree angle and so far no head lump, but at 35 degrees I noticed his head was flopping sideways and a little forward.

You can also take a picture of the seat from the side preferably with something level in the background and we can try to guess the angle.

Question Head Flop Problem

Rachelb

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Maedze

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Rachelb

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Maedze

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