Torso height not always that helpful..

henrietta

Well-known member
I just measured my younger son, age 2.5. He's 36" tall, 33 lbs, and pretty long torsoed. Supposedly, his "torso height" is just over 14", yet when he still fit rearfacing in our old Decathlon & FPSVD, he was in the third slots (15"). He's on the top slots forward facing of the FPSVD now--just barely over the third, but definitely over!

I measured him, b/c I was curious about how long he'll actually last forward facing in the Blvd he rides in my car (if he's not going to last that long...I'll give it to my niece who will turn 1 in May--she's super short torsoed and still fits in her Maxi Cosi Mico w/several inches to spare above her head!)

The Blvd's head wings are extended about 2" above the top of the seat, and I need to crank it up another notch or two to keep the harness level w/his shoulders or a smidge above.

So...my thoughts are that while torso height is a reasonable bit of help...it doesn't always mean exactly the same thing depending on the install.

henrietta
 
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wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
That's very true. That's why we often ask where a child's shoulders are on their carseat, rather than just sit every child against the wall and measure. Even that's not always accurate, though, since a more upright seat may change the torso fit than a more reclined seat. But it gives us a rough idea. If someone says their child has a 13" torso we can recommend seats (even if it's just a "try it out, it may work") with a bit of certainty rather than if someone says their child has a 16" torso. It's not exact, but it gives us an idea.

Wendy
 

henrietta

Well-known member
That's very true. That's why we often ask where a child's shoulders are on their carseat, rather than just sit every child against the wall and measure. Even that's not always accurate, though, since a more upright seat may change the torso fit than a more reclined seat. But it gives us a rough idea. If someone says their child has a 13" torso we can recommend seats (even if it's just a "try it out, it may work") with a bit of certainty rather than if someone says their child has a 16" torso. It's not exact, but it gives us an idea.

Wendy


I know....it's so true. It's driving me nuts! I could easily see him outgrowing the Blvd, then the FPSVD, both by age 3 in August. And shortly after....or maybe by the time he's 4, outgrowing the EFTA. At least we have a Regent already, but his little legs are so short, that I think he'd be at least slightly uncomfortable in it (his big brother's legs are still almost too short, and he's almost 7" taller than him!) Hope he grows legs soon.

:)
 

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