When to turn your toddler round in their car seat?

[Stillmonday]

My almost 2 year old is around 90cm tall so quite cramped in his chair facing backwards. I'm so worried about him facing forwards as it seems such a big step but the last week or so he's hated going in the car and I think it's because he's so Cramped.
I attempted to face him forwards thinking it would solve his reluctance but he was petrified- it was like he didn't feel safe so screamed in terror for the whole 5 minute trip.

Any advice?

@Stillmonday you’re right, it looks like you can move it back on the isofix, there is a video on YouTube!

Britax Two Way Elite as already suggested, will last till about 125cm RF (not an official figure, just what most parents agree), huge weight limit of 25kg too. If you have a google, you can see many older children have plenty of room in the upright position (younger children use it tilted).

I would turn a toddler round. My DC were both rearward facing until they were five. It's so much safer for them.

Here, from the manual on the joie site. We have DS 3.5, 100cm tall, comfortably rear facing in the same seat as you, with the isofix arms extended. He often crosses his legs.

That should have said WOULDN'T turn a toddler round!

We rear faced both until at least 3.5 years. Yes it is safer that is basic physics.

However I do find on here a lot of people on their high horse about it being much safer. Then comments about taking them to school rear facing. Kids really shouldn't be driven to school, driving every day to school not only bad for environment but also more liklihood of an accident.

Yes rear face if you can and like it is better. But better still is to reduce the amount of car journeys you and your child have to make. I know people say it isn't possible but can be done in most cases where people live in towns and villages

Basically what @BlenheimOrange posted. I lengthened the isofix arms before I installed the seat in our car. We have a Citroen C4 grande picasso, so the seats are good and deep and the 360 seat is still well and truly on our car seat (in fact with the isofix arms shortened it wouldn't be far enough forward on the seat for the leg that goes down onto the floor to be overhanging the seat and go down).

Yes, I would rear face as long as possible and you should be able to find a seat (or adjust yours as suggested) to make it comfortable and safe for quite awhile. My 2 year old is about 90cm and has plenty of room still rear facing. My eldest fit rear facing until 4.5 and we turned her just before starting school.

Also, the comment above about people driving to school. Our school (closest) is a 10 minute, about 3 mile drive away, and then younger one's nursery is about 2 miles further from that, also the closest. Even the closest school transport bus stop is not close enough to be walkable (over a mile). All well and good for people who live 5 houses down from the school or SAHP who have time for a leisurely 2 hour walk every day, but it's surely impossible for most working people with one or more drop offs and pickups.

There isn't a lot of leg room in the Joie 360. We have the same one. If you want more leg room, the Britax or Axkid seats are very good, rear facing up to 25kg.

Lack of leg room isn't a safety issue as children can either rest their legs up the back of the seat, or cross them or lie them over the sides. However some children find it less comfortable.

I find my tall 2yo is more comfy rear facing in the 360 when we take his shoes off.

If your LO cried more when forward facing I don't think it's the direction that's the issue - maybe he just doesn't like being restrained in the car? Or perhaps he's feeling travel sick? That can start around age 2.

Some of the older ones you can leave the arms a bit more extended, but Joie don't recommend this as it's less secure. They have removed the ability to do it in the newer versions of the same seat so it will automatically creep back towards the seat back. It will also make the seat more wobbly.

Yes, I saw internal decapitation once whilst in ked school. Absolutely horrific and entirely preventable. More common in under 7s (the age the head and body becomes in proportion), but possible at every age. The risk is generally low, but made much lower with rear facing.

Rear facing is safer for everyone, but not possible for adults in most cars.

Lots of parents attribute children not liking the car being due to being rear facing, then turn them forward facing and the child is happier feels justified. The thing is, it's often the more upright position that makes them happier. Rear facing stage 1 seats are also more upright.