Where do the legs go?

TheLex · Nov 1, 2012

We just installed 2 Britax Advocate 70's and a Diono (Britax) Marathon in our 2011 Odyssey. The triplets are now 1 year old and they're too big for the infant seats. These are great seats but we have a problem with room for the kids legs. Specifically, when correctly installed rear facing, the kids have nowhere to put their feet. Their legs are now long enough so that when sitting in their seats, they have to constantly bend their legs. This can't be comfortable on a long car ride.

I don't know what the solution is. These seats are more upright than the infant Graco 30's that we had, so there's a lot less stretch out room.

We had the seats installed by the local fire dept so I know they're installed correctly.

Help!

And thanks!

Jessica61624 · Nov 1, 2012

Did they communicate in any way its uncomfortable? Children are flexible. I know personally my daughter complains about her legs when ff. She has no were to put them. My 2 year old either puts his up the back of the seat it over the sides. Even an adult I like to sit criss cross when I'm the passenger.

Keeks64 · Nov 1, 2012

That's perfectly normal & safe

their legs can go wherever is comfortable. You might find they like to cross them, stretch them up the back of the seat or hang them on the sides - they will find a comfortable position

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robbertbobbert · Nov 1, 2012

As previous posters have said, it's totally normal and safe for kids to put their legs all kinds of ways in RF seats. Cross cross, up the seat back, hanging over the sides. They're all very safe, especially compared to forward facing a child that young.

You mentioned your seats were installed at the fire department, did you check to be sure the installer was a CPST? Many times the people at fire and police stations who install seats mean well, but are not trained or qualified to install car seats. Just something to check on

TXmom2 · Nov 1, 2012

They will find a comfortable position

mum2two · Nov 1, 2012

We had the seats installed by the local fire dept so I know they're installed correctly. Help! And thanks![/QUOTE said:
Like others said, kids figure out ways to be comfortable and unlike adults are much more flexible and yes it's safe.

Did the fire dept teach you how to install the seats yourself. The techs on this board and that I've met in person insist that the parent learn how to install the seat themselves as you will usually have to install again, often unexpectedly after an incident of vomiting etc... Also if you have Britax or Radian they can be tethered rear facing, did the person address that. Some "installers" aren't always up on the latest car seats on the market.

tiggercat · Nov 1, 2012

It often looks something like this...

(My 3yo napping)

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Brianna · Nov 1, 2012

Check out the pic on the left in my signature

He couldn't find a comfortable place for his legs when he turned FF at 3.

atw · Nov 1, 2012

My kids rarely sit so their legs aren't supported/ pushing against something out of the car.... My DD still sits with them bent often in the car.

Also, 3 years old, 14 hour car trip. No complaints.

Nor on our other 3,4,5 hour trips!

zactayaus · Nov 1, 2012

Everyone has given you great answers but I also just wanted to chime in and say that the RF leg room in the new Britax seats just sucks.

There are a bunch of seats out there that offer more leg room. I'd say the Diono Radians offer some of the best rear facing leg room there is to offer. Not sure if you have the option of getting different seats but I'd personally never pick a new Gen Britax for ERF.:twocents:

ETA: I'll see if I can find a comparison pic of my ds in a new Gen Britax and a Radian.

Pics in post #12.

mlohry · Nov 1, 2012

I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in too. We have a Britax Marathon 70 and a Graco Size 4 me and just last week a friend offered to let me try a Radian as I was complaining about my 3.8 year olds who still rear faces. Her legs started being very scrunched all of a sudden in my seats. I am amazed by the Radian's leg room! My daughter seems so much more comfortable. She does the leg flopping thing a lot now, which is not at all possible with my other seats. It's also SO much easier to buckle her in. When her legs can be out to the sides it's much easier to buckle her. Before I tried the Radian I was certain I wouldn't like it, but I'm a convert

zactayaus · Nov 1, 2012

New Gen Roundabout 55:

Radian:

Phineasmama · Nov 1, 2012

My almost 4 year old in the Pria 70

97A29B6F-11AB-4793-8C4F-F3A3FC8C4111-186-00000008FA528B97.jpg

MySize70

F5FF8B67-84B6-4A3D-9A5F-FED80DF74A4F-96-00000027DB9D9E90.jpg

Also....hopefully the person who installed your seats knew what he/she was doing, but I would highly recommend you read the car seat manual cover to cover and make sure yourself that they are installed correctly

Even if it was a technician, they are not all as knowledgeable as the ones around here

safeinthecar · Nov 1, 2012

Keep in mind that when adults sit in the car our legs bend at the knee at somewhere around a 90 degree angle also.

Athena · Nov 1, 2012

That's wonderful that you're keeping them RFing!

zactayaus said:
Everyone has given you great answers but I also just wanted to chime in and say that the RF leg room in the new Britax seats just sucks.

I agree.

For us it was the best (only) fit for our small back seat and my DD was happy in her RA55 until she outgrew it by height (~41"). Like others have said, little ones are very comfortable crossing, bending, putting their legs straight up on the rear seat and it is very safe, much safer than FFing. And when you eventually turn them FFing, you'll find out how comfortable they were as they try to find somewhere to rest their legs by crossing them, putting them up on the back of your front seat, etc.

Athena · Nov 1, 2012

And I second (third ... wherever we are at) to make certain they are installed correctly and learn to do it yourself. I had a tech (police officer who had previously been great) install my seat incorrectly (did not discover until much later

because I had not yet learned this stuff). AND I've had my DD accidentally uninstall a seat while we were out in a parking lot and if I hadn't been able to re-install it myself (and do so quickly with 2 LOS with me in the car), I would have been stranded. Especially if you're using latch, once you learn how, I'm sure you'll find those Britax seats to be amazingly easy to install. Once you learn how, you'll be amazed how much easier it is than you thought. You can do it! I was really nervous about it and if I can do it, anyone can do it.

P.S. And there are many nice, knowledgeable people here to help! (They helped me!)

littleangelfire · Nov 1, 2012

robbertbobbert said:
You mentioned your seats were installed at the fire department, did you check to be sure the installer was a CPST? Many times the people at fire and police stations who install seats mean well, but are not trained or qualified to install car seats. Just something to check on

:yeahthat:Firefighters are some of the most helpful folks you'll find so it's not at all surprising they'll help you with car seats, even if they don't know more than you do. Some are CPSTs, but lots aren't. I'd check and make sure it was a CPST that checked your seats. And if he/she did not teach you how to install your seat, find another CPST. It's our job to make sure you leave able to duplicate the install.

You got some great pics posted above for you. Here's a whole album of rear facing kiddos in a myriad of seats: http://www.car-seat.org/album.php?albumid=193 You'll see what they do with their legs. and i will second (or was it third?) that I promise, they are more comfy rear facing than forward. My son, at 8 years old, 70lbs, and almost 5 feet tall, still has feet that don't quite touch the floor of my car when he's in his booster seat, and he hates it. His back/lower half falls asleep all the time and his lower back aches if I forget to make sure he's got his stack of blankets to put his feet on. But rear facing, there's a built in foot rest!

Try this: go to your kitchen counter. Hop on. lol Sit there a while. See how long it takes to get really uncomfortable, before your lower back aches and your legs and even your butt start to fall asleep. That is what forward facers deal with. So not only is rear facing hugely safer, but more comfy, too! It is us parents who look at it thinking, gosh, I don't bend that way! But kids do.

Also, as was mentioned, the Britax new gen seats are crappy on the legroom, unfortunately. There's other seats that have more if you are interested in that.

TheLex · Nov 1, 2012

Thanks for all the helpful answers! I really appreciate it.

My wife was the one who brought the car in to the fire dept. I have no idea what their certifications were. Basically I had already installed the seats, but I couldn't cinch the LATCH belts down tightly enough. They did that for me so that even the Radian that sits in the center (and is notorious for rocking) doesn't rock at all.

We have the Radian in the center position, and the Britax Advocates in the outboard positions.

The reason I got the Britax Advocates were because they had that big ol airbag type cushion on the sides. And I figured they'd be just a tad safer for the outboard seating position.

Cryssy Jane · Nov 1, 2012

littleangelfire said:
Try this: go to your kitchen counter. Hop on. lol Sit there a while. See how long it takes to get really uncomfortable, before your lower back aches and your legs and even your butt start to fall asleep. That is what forward facers deal with. So not only is rear facing hugely safer, but more comfy, too! It is us parents who look at it thinking, gosh, I don't bend that way! But kids do.

You've already been given great advice. I just wanted to chime in and say this example is brilliant and I'm stealing it for future situations.

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Phineasmama · Nov 1, 2012

TheLex said:
Thanks for all the helpful answers! I really appreciate it.

My wife was the one who brought the car in to the fire dept. I have no idea what their certifications were. Basically I had already installed the seats, but I couldn't cinch the LATCH belts down tightly enough. They did that for me so that even the Radian that sits in the center (and is notorious for rocking) doesn't rock at all.

We have the Radian in the center position, and the Britax Advocates in the outboard positions.

The reason I got the Britax Advocates were because they had that big ol airbag type cushion on the sides. And I figured they'd be just a tad safer for the outboard seating position.

Usually if you install them, then push down with your hand (or sometimes your knee if necessary) on the car seat where the kid's butt would sit, you can then get them much tighter. I am just a regular size gal and I have never ever not been able to get a Britax seat installed rock solid.

Where do the legs go?

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