When to change car seat

[emmac3616]

Stupid question I'm sure, but as a first time Mum I am struggling to know when I am supposed to change my DS out of the MaxiCosi Cabriofix. He is pretty tall (off the chart!) for his 8mths of age and also a fairly big eater so 9kg. His feet are now touching the seat in front of him when he is in the Cabriofix in its Iso-fix base. What do I do next? Get a new car seat? If so, what type does he have to have next? I find it all very confusing!!! Some sites say its safer for them to rear face much longer, but surely with his height he'll just scrunch up his legs - there doesn't seem to be space?! All advice MUCH appreciated, and apologies in advance if this is a ridiculous question!!!

THANK YOU!

it doesnt matter if their legs are scrunched as it is better than them forward facing too soon and risking neck injuries. He can stay in the cabriofix seat until he is 13kg or until his head is above the height of the backrest.

I'd definitely stick with rear facing. It's so much safer until they are at least 4 years old.

The bigger rear facing seats are installed with a gap between the child seat and the vehicle's seat so there is loads of legroom. My 2 year old can only just touch the backrest of our car's rear seat when she stretches her legs out straight in her Britax Multi Tech rear facing seat, she is very comfortable. Also, when they get to 3 or 4, or if you have an exceptionally long-legged child, they just sit cross-legged. This is perfectly natural for a child, and more comfortable than having their legs just dangling down.

There are lots of good websites that you can research, and look at photos of toddlers and pre-school children in rear facing car seats. Start with www.rearfacing.co.uk for info, and www.securatot.co.uk for an idea of some of the seats available. If you Google rear facing toddlers you should find the website of a lady in South London who sells rear facing car seats. She also has a Facebook page and gives good advice.

Thanks both, VERY helpful, great advice and I think I will keep him rear facing as long as possible! :-) THANK YOU! Have great Bank Holidays!

DS1 didn't grow out of his infant seat until he was about 17 months (and 10kg). He was pretty cosy in it by then