Poor recline on RF Besafe Izi Combi - help!

[Zacharysmummy]

Hi, I've just shelled out a small fortune on this car seat after much research and review reading. Was really pleased initially and DS looked so comfy and was delighted he could see so much being up high. However I've twice this week returned home to find he's fallen asleep with his head on his chest even in the 'fully reclined' position (this doesn't look very reclined compared to his infant carrier).
Now I'm really nervous about him damaging his neck and being uncomfortable every time he falls asleep. Am going to take it back to the shop where it was fitted but we are off on holiday tomorrow with said car seat so just wondered if anyone had any tips? We've been through the manual and can't see any way of improving the recline. Has anyone else had the same problem? Everyone in the reviews said their DC's were really comfy even when asleep. DS is 7 months and can sit unaided but could he be too small yet and should I revert to his infant carrier? The car is an 02 VW Golf btw.
Thanks

[nicm]

hi, the recline can be worse on the rf car seats because of the shape of the rear seat iykwim. i have a KISS and a twe in a 2003 golf. the kiss needs to be on no 2 of a recline for ds to sleep without his head falling forward and the twe can be changed to recline as much as an infant carrier.

out of the 2 seats i would say the twe is a better seat as it can adjusted so much. maybe use his baby carrier and see if you can return the seat to get another one when you get back? i tried the besafe isofix in my car before i got the kiss and it was upright but i couldn't get it as i needed to fit 3 seats across the back seat and it was too wide.

hth a bit and you get something sorted.

:)

[lenats31]

before you tighten the tether straps (Non isofix version) you put a knee in the seat and add some of your own weight to this method to push the seat down. Then you tighten the straps or ask someone else to do it.

[castleonthehill]

I would go back to your carrier until baby is bigger

[Hopalongcassidy]

We didn't move our son into the Izi combi til he was over 12 months and chunky with it, so maybe you could go back to the infant seat?

We have the same issue with DS's head tipping forward when asleep, but I've noticed the same with all the Stage 1 car seats his friends are in so I think it's a common thing when they are in taller chairs that don't have as mch space to recline - the only exception is the one with the cushion/insert over their chest whch they can rest their head on.

[raindroprhyme]

you can get a better recline by adjusting the leg and the tether straps. 2 person job one in the seat one fixing leg and tightening straps.
also take out the cushion this stopped DS's head falling forwards.
this is a great solid seat, DS hates going in his infant carrier now cos he can't see anything.

[Zacharysmummy]

Thanks everyone, we've gone back to the infant carrier for now, I've also bought a head cradler cushion thing and am going back to the shop with the seat today, really hope they can adjust it as I love the seat. Its an isofix though so I'm wondering now if we'd be better with the belted version so we could tighten the tether straps as you recommend.
Will see what the shop says and if they would swap it for us.

[lenats31]

The non isofix version tends to get a better recline than the isofix version version in some cars. the isofix version can be steep, whereas the belted version can be pulled down when you tighten the tether straps. You may not even have to add some of your own weight by putting a knee in the seat.

Lena

[Poborak]

Solving same issue at the moment, I am using this seat in Astra K, and I was originaly very happy about it as it is supposed to be very safe. However, no matter how hard I try, I do not get reasonable level of recline and our boy's (8 mths, 9 kg) head keeps falling upfront... I am using ISOFIX version. But I guess I will have to sell this seat, which is a shame as otherwise it seems very well built and feels solid.

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

I believe the seats on the Astra are quite sloped so you run this risk with any isofix seat. You're likely to get a much better fit with a seatbelt fitted seat. Did you get it installed by a retailer?

Having said that, head flop isn't dangerous in a healthy baby over 6mo so although it looks uncomfortable, it's not unsafe.