Rear facing height limit in convertible carseats

AmyKat · Aug 23, 2007

According to the instruction manual for the new Recaro Signo ...

Use this child restraint rear-facing only with children weighing 5 to 35 pounds, 34 inches (86.4cm) or less, and younger than 12 months of age.

I'm sure that the 12 months of age part is just poor wording, right?

But, the 34 inches sounds a little short to me. I don't have a lot of experience in this but I think my 14 month old is already 32 inches.

Does anyone know what the height limit is rear facing in any other convertible seat?

Thanks!

Amy

joolsplus3 · Aug 23, 2007

They have to say 'something' for a height guideline, yes, that IS very short, though.

In general we treat those guidelines as such, and tend to stick to a more conservative 'head even with the top of the seat, or the weight limit' recommendation, as per the AAP's recommendation.
Oh, and the 12 months of age is what they mean for when you MUST use it RF, not that you can't use it past that age RF...so yeah, poor wording, but most seats have terrible wording on that count

AmyKat · Aug 23, 2007

Thanks, Jools!

They do say later in the manual that for RF, the head can't be less than 1 inch from the top. I guess I'll go with that. Otherwise this seat won't last very long for my DD.

amyg530 · Aug 23, 2007

for comparison DS is 36.5 inches and his head it over the top (by just a bit) of the scenera

bensmom · Aug 23, 2007

AmyKat said:
According to the instruction manual for the new Recaro Signo ...

Use this child restraint rear-facing only with children weighing 5 to 35 pounds, 34 inches (86.4cm) or less, and younger than 12 months of age.

Click to expand...

I'm sure that the 12 months of age part is just poor wording, right?

Amy

I think that Britax has the same goofy wording. The "only" is confusing and makes it sound like the seat can be used rear facing only if your child is under 1 year. It should be read as - you must use the seat RF if your child is under 1 year. (i.e., under 1 year, RF is the only way to install, over 1 year, you may install RF).

joolsplus3 · Aug 23, 2007

AmyKat said:
Thanks, Jools!

They do say later in the manual that for RF, the head can't be less than 1 inch from the top. I guess I'll go with that. Otherwise this seat won't last very long for my DD.

Yeah, that's fine to follow that...it's a VERY tall seatback, should still get most kids to 35 pounds, no problem.

SPJ&E · Aug 23, 2007

I agree...34 inches is way too short of a limit for that tall of a seatback. My 2.5 year old is just slightly over 36 in. tall and still has a good 3 in. or so above his head. We're going by the 1-inch rule for rear-facing in that seat (and the weight limit too, of course).

Rear facing height limit in convertible carseats

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