safeinthecar
Moderator - CPS Technician
There have been several threads over the last few weeks regarding sophisticated ways to measure the angle of a rfing seat. Some of the posters have been very worried that their seats are unsafe because they are unsure if the angle is correct. I would like to shed a little light on the subject, make this a bit less complicated and hopefully ease a few minds.
In the nearly 10 years I have been in the CPS field, the best method I have found for checking angles is actually the simplest. Use your baby.
For the purposes of crash safety, more upright seats perform better. For a newborn however, you have to recline the seat in order for a child to be able to breath. This angle is not necesarily the same for every child. Some newborns do just fine in seats sitting as upright as 30-35 degrees. As a matter of fact, some infant seats actually are designed to sit more upright than the 45 degree general guideline. The Peg Perego Primo Viaggo is an example of one. However, keep in mind maximum recline is based on the amount the seat will recline to during crash testing at the upper weight limits of the seat. When you install the seat the goal is to try to get a good angle of around 45 degrees, however, the primary goal should always be to familiarize yourself with the seat and installation. Always keep in mind that you are not done installing the seat until you HAVE MADE SURE THE SEAT FITS THE CHILD. Even if you have ensured that your seat is installed to a perfect 45 degree angle, if your child's head falls forward away from the car seat shell, this install is not safe for your child and you may find yourself in the position of adjusting your install in the hospital parking lot. (this is another reason why it is extremely important for techs to make sure that the parents can without a doubt install the seat themselves before leaving a check) Usually, a small adjustment (1-2 degrees) using a small hand towel or rolled receiving blanket is enough and will not cause a seat designed to work properly with a 20+ lb child to over-rotate with a -10lb newborn. (readjust as baby gains head control )If you find yourself needing a large amount of extra recline you may want to have a ped evaluate your child, or use a car bed for awhile.
Also keep in mind that if the child is slumped (butt not all the way back) the child's head will fall forward regardless of recline angle. To understand what I mean, lie flat on the floor with your knees bent and lift your bottom. You will notice that you naturally tuck your chin when you do. Also make sure to keep harnesses tight to hold baby back against the seat. ( a harness should be as tight as the band of a woman's bra, and loose harnesses are about a useful as loose bras )
As baby gets older, you can adjust most car seats (call the manufacture to ask if need be )to sit more upright. This not only makes the seats perform better, but tends to make older babies happier. (ever notice that with older babies you kind of have to battle them to get them to sit back because they are straining forward ? )
So in short, try for about a 45 degree angle or as indicated by your seat. If you can't get it just right, err on the side of slightly more upright as many babies can handle a more upright position just fine. You can always adjust once you see baby in the seat. ( my three kids all did well at an angle somewhere around 35 degrees, and they were all preemies, 33,34, and 35 weeks) Make sure you have an adult present in the car to watch them for the first several rides. If you notice baby's head falling forward, stop and adjust angle immediately, check for slumping and tight harness first though.
Hope this helps a few of you out there.
Kimberly
In the nearly 10 years I have been in the CPS field, the best method I have found for checking angles is actually the simplest. Use your baby.
For the purposes of crash safety, more upright seats perform better. For a newborn however, you have to recline the seat in order for a child to be able to breath. This angle is not necesarily the same for every child. Some newborns do just fine in seats sitting as upright as 30-35 degrees. As a matter of fact, some infant seats actually are designed to sit more upright than the 45 degree general guideline. The Peg Perego Primo Viaggo is an example of one. However, keep in mind maximum recline is based on the amount the seat will recline to during crash testing at the upper weight limits of the seat. When you install the seat the goal is to try to get a good angle of around 45 degrees, however, the primary goal should always be to familiarize yourself with the seat and installation. Always keep in mind that you are not done installing the seat until you HAVE MADE SURE THE SEAT FITS THE CHILD. Even if you have ensured that your seat is installed to a perfect 45 degree angle, if your child's head falls forward away from the car seat shell, this install is not safe for your child and you may find yourself in the position of adjusting your install in the hospital parking lot. (this is another reason why it is extremely important for techs to make sure that the parents can without a doubt install the seat themselves before leaving a check) Usually, a small adjustment (1-2 degrees) using a small hand towel or rolled receiving blanket is enough and will not cause a seat designed to work properly with a 20+ lb child to over-rotate with a -10lb newborn. (readjust as baby gains head control )If you find yourself needing a large amount of extra recline you may want to have a ped evaluate your child, or use a car bed for awhile.
Also keep in mind that if the child is slumped (butt not all the way back) the child's head will fall forward regardless of recline angle. To understand what I mean, lie flat on the floor with your knees bent and lift your bottom. You will notice that you naturally tuck your chin when you do. Also make sure to keep harnesses tight to hold baby back against the seat. ( a harness should be as tight as the band of a woman's bra, and loose harnesses are about a useful as loose bras )
As baby gets older, you can adjust most car seats (call the manufacture to ask if need be )to sit more upright. This not only makes the seats perform better, but tends to make older babies happier. (ever notice that with older babies you kind of have to battle them to get them to sit back because they are straining forward ? )
So in short, try for about a 45 degree angle or as indicated by your seat. If you can't get it just right, err on the side of slightly more upright as many babies can handle a more upright position just fine. You can always adjust once you see baby in the seat. ( my three kids all did well at an angle somewhere around 35 degrees, and they were all preemies, 33,34, and 35 weeks) Make sure you have an adult present in the car to watch them for the first several rides. If you notice baby's head falling forward, stop and adjust angle immediately, check for slumping and tight harness first though.
Hope this helps a few of you out there.
Kimberly