Dangers to sitting with legs crossed?

AtTheSouthDam · Sep 1, 2010

So I want to be prepared if my girls want to ride in G'ma's new convertible

My mother just got a 2002 Jaguar XK8 for her birthday. It has a back seat with full lap shoulder belts but there is little if any leg room. Maybe 3" between the end of the seat to the seat in front of it. We joked it was so groceries can ride comfortably and not fall to the floor. Is there any danger to sitting in a booster with legs crossed? ("criss cross apple sauce" as the girl put it.) It would probably be a rare occasion they ride in at but, as I said, I want to be prepared with an answer and/or plan. Thanks!

If you want to see the back seat it is in one of the photos here:
http://usedcars.kbb.com/detail/cars...zM/cnk9MjAwMg==&v_user=a2JidWNp&kbb_zip=80233

canadiangie · Sep 2, 2010

Specifically with a booster seat, having the legs crossed might cause the lap belt to shift higher up towards the tummy. This is something only you could verify next time she's in her seat. I don't think there are any studies telling us much about legs being crossed. I assume it might count as being 'out of position' to a certain degree (in terms of needing to be proper pre-crash position when using an adult seatbelt; booster or not), but again I don't know if anyone can really tell you it's 100% fine, or 100% dangerous. If she were mine I'd encourage her to keep her feet flat on the floor (or as close to flat as possible) but that's just sort of how I roll.

Sorry for babbling, btw.

It's late...

BookMama · Sep 2, 2010

Like Angie, I'm inclined to think that crossing the legs would put the child out of position, and make the seat belt fit incorrectly.

However, in a back seat that shallow, I'd also be very concerned about the child's head hitting the front vehicle seat in the event of a crash. The seat belt WILL stretch, and there is not much room in that back seat. :twocents:

Lea_Ontario · Sep 2, 2010

I don't know that I'd be comfortable putting a child back there at all after looking at those photos.

That's not a backseat - it's a low package shelf.

I can't imagine that a child would be comfortable back there - they'll have so little room, and with a booster that moves them forward a few inches, it is even less space.

emtb79 · Sep 2, 2010

Are both kids in boosters, perhaps the older one could sit on the passenger side in the back with the seat scooted forward a bit. The younger beehind driver with a harnessed seat that way the legs could be crosssed.

BookMama · Sep 2, 2010

emtb79 said:
Are both kids in boosters, perhaps the older one could sit on the passenger side in the back with the seat scooted forward a bit. The younger beehind driver with a harnessed seat that way the legs could be crosssed.

I would still be concerned about the child's head hitting the front seat, even in a harnessed seat. :twocents:

wendytthomas · Sep 2, 2010

What about RSTVs? The child would be as low and back as possible, and the head excursion numbers are great. Plus it gets their heads out of the wind, or at least helps. I've used our RSTV with great success in convertibles.

Wendy

AtTheSouthDam · Sep 2, 2010

Thanks for all the input! I was concerned as well. We were over there today. DD1 cannot sit in that back seat with a booster. Her ears are over the top headrest over the vehicle. So even if she crossed her legs it is out.
What about sitting in the front with the seat all the way back? We did once around the neighborhood today. For DD2 we put the YS in and just moved the passenger seat forward. It may be te only time they ever ride in it but DD1 is more likely as G'ma is emergency pick up for school (though she is more likely to take the Durango to fetch her).

Dangers to sitting with legs crossed?

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