Knowledgable ERF car seat users can I have your advice?

[Homeschoolsoutforsummer]

Since reading a recent thread and doing some research I have replaced my older child’s hand me down FF seat with an ERF car seat for my 15 month old DS. It’s a Joie Everystage one which looks good and had good reviews. Says to RF until 4. I have fitted it today as per the instructions very carefully and watching a video but when I went to put DS in there was literally NO room for his legs. I’ve moved it into a recline position which has helped and he was fine with bent legs but I just can’t fathom how he could be 4 and fit RF? The lengths of his thighs by then will surely be longer than the gap between the seat and the back of the chair so even if he bends his legs will there be room? I’m so keen to RF now as I get the safety aspect but I just don’t get it! Do you leave it in a semi reclined/reclined position always to allow more room?

Do they put their legs over the sides?

I’m not sure @dementedpixie I can’t see that being very comfy sat with legs wide open especially on a long journey!

Firstly you could contact the retailer you bought from to ask for fitting advice, depending on the shop they might be helpful.

Secondly if you're on FB there is a group called Car Seat Advice UK, if you join the group you can ask for fitting advice there, post some photos.

What car do you have?

In general they don't need loads of room for their legs as they're happy to cross their legs. But you might be able to adjust the seat to create more room.

The Joie Everystage is RF up to 18kg (which is about 4 for the average child, what centiles is your DS on for weight?) and then you will have to turn it FF so at that point the leg room won't be an issue.

If you Google it they can sit cross legged, up the back of the seat, over the side, etc. Those seats didn't exist when mine were younger so I have no experience

If he's been forward facing it will seem odd. For reference though, my large 4 yr old has recently turned forward facing after rear facing in that exact seat til he was 3. (I used a different sear rear facing from 3 to 4). He is 91st centile for height. They cross their legs, put them up the back of the seat (get a seat cover for this) over the sides, knees up. Where ever is comfy, and it's often comfier than legs dangling in the FF seat.

I agree that joining the Facebook group is a good idea.

My 4 year old is rear facing in a different seat but he put his feet flat on the seat behind and has legs bent bent. Some children cross their legs or even have them straight up resting on the seat of the car.

How well any particular seat fits depends on your car and they do sit with legs at a 90 degree angle. But I had a very bulky ERF seat in my tiny Focus and it fit my dd fine until 4.5.