Confused about rear facing car seat age?!

[Pink2020]

Hi mn,
I’ve got the ickle bubba 360 rotating car seat, which my 2 year old dd currently sits in rear facing. However, her legs are already bent against the back passenger car seat and everytime I rotate it to get her in and out I have to lift her legs up so they don’t get trapped when turning, so to me it seems she should be forward facing, but the instructions say she should be rear facing up until 4yrs or from 15kg she can go forward facing.
The manual only shows forward facing when the harness seat belt is removed and the car seat belt is used to strap them in and she definitely isn’t big enough for just the seat belt strap. She’s on the smaller side for her age anyway.
SO I just wondered if anyone else has this car seat and whether you have it forward facing or not depending on the age?
How do you have it forward facing with a toddler in terms of fixings?
I’m just confused because I can’t see her having enough leg room up until 15kg rear facing (I’m sure she’s under 10kg now)…
thanks! :)

It doesn't matter if her legs are bent as long as her head isn't over the top of the car seat

As PP says it doesn't matter what way kids legs are when they're rear facing. Some people rear face to the age of 7. Of course there's nowhere for their legs to go, the kids just bend them or sit cross legged.

Mine preferred crossed legs to dangling legs. I can sit for ages crossed legged I cannot stand my legs dangling. I know some adults struggle to cross their legs but kids sit in very odd positions. Reading is easier too as you can rest the book against the back of the seat in your lap.

I had my kids rear facing until 7.

She can't be comfy with her legs bent up. And travelling backwards must make her feel sick. Just let her forward face. This world has gone mad 😠

🙄

Eh?

She will be comfy as well as safe.

Why must is make her feel sick? Do you never travel backwards? Common on trains for example. The majority of people do not get car sick.

My 2yo DD is forward facing but there’s no need to get so irate about others’ parenting decisions is there?? Rear facing is safer.

I had my son rear facing until just turned 5, as he's quite short for his age. He just had his legs crossed, he was very comfy - no need for leg space as children are more flexible than adults.

He's actually complained a lot about pins and needles on long journeys since he's been in the forward facing car seat, and his head is less supported when he falls asleep. I wish I'd kept him rear facing longer now, but can't afford to buy another seat and waste this one.

@SnapdragonToadflax how is his head more supported? Genuine question. Is the seat more tilted backwards than with FF seat? Otherwise surely head flops forward whatever way they’re facing?

Ok thanks for your replies, if it’s fine that her legs are bent then I’m fine with it, it just seemed strange to me she doesn’t have much leg room but would rather her be in the safest position👍🏼

Ideally children should be rear facing till 5-6. 4 at the absplute earliest. Due to bone development.

Car seats are based on height and weight measurements. If she meets the threshold for height and weight then its fine. If she is genuinely uncomfortable i'd suggest looking for an alternative seat. Although i'd be surprised if she is uncomfortable as generally forward facing leaves feet danging and causes more bum ache and pins and needles sensations. There are two facebook groups that will give you suggestions on this (sesrch for extended rear facing UK). Theres also a car seats section on here with lots of knowledgeable people. Icklebubba are not known for having the safest seats.

I would never suggest forward facing a 2 year old! The axkid instagram and facebook page have loads of info graphics on why. You'll get loads of survival bias on here of my kid was fine etc etc. Which is great for them, they were lucky. But should the worst happen then i'd personally want to know i made the safest choice.

Yes the rest facing seat tipped backwards a bit, so his head was supported in a more comfortable position.

He falls asleep in the car less now he's forward facing, which is good in some ways of course... but he does look as uncomfy as an adult would be when he does fall asleep.

Definitely making the right choice at her age. And just think about it- where are her legs going to go? 😂 that's rear facing for you.

She's comfy, honestly. The longer rear facing the better. Have a read online about the benefits in a crash and make your own judgement about when you're happy to switch her. We'll probably go to at least 4 years old and then take it from there

It's OK for her legs to be bent :) Much safer for her to rear face.

Can you put up a photo of the manual? I am sure that the Ickle Bubba seat has an option to forward face using the harness, not only in booster mode but I am wondering if they have brought out a new version. They have three versions that I can see, Rotator, Radius and Radial. But there might be a newer one that doesn't come up. (I've been caught out by this before!)