Proper car seat positioning

[ViaRia01]

Does anyone have info on how to ensure the car seat is appropriately adjusted for the child’s size? I’ve been trying to google it but it’s not bringing up what I am looking for.

I know the car seat is the correct one for my 3.5yo. I know he’ll need a new one when he’s 4yo.

I’m aware that the head rest should be set at a particular height, the straps should be level with the shoulders. Is there something else to do with where the backs of the knees should be in the relation to the seat edge? Is there anything else I’m missing.

I would have thought it would be easy to find a diagram showing “do”/ “don’t” but I can’t find anything at the moment.

Thabk you

Firstly, needing a new one is based on his weight and height, not his age – the ages are just a rough guideline. Many toddler seats are outgrown at 18 kg or 105 cm, whichever the child reaches first, but not all, so it's worth looking yours up. How tall/heavy is he currently?

The position of the shoulder straps depends on whether he's forward or rear facing. Forward facing, level or just above the shoulders; rear facing, level or just below.

I'm not aware of anything about the back of the knees and the edge of the seat for car seats – just for assessing whether a much older child is ready to stop using a booster seat.

The other main ones are no puffy or thick coats/gilets/etc. and making sure the straps are adjusted properly every journey.

He might not need a new one when he's 4 - as PP said it goes by height and weight more than age.

What kind of seat is it? I assume one with integrated straps? Is he forward facing or rear facing?

Usually you'll find the diagram you're looking for in the car seat manual, if you don't have one any more, you can contact the manufacturer with a picture of the seat or the model number, and they should be able to send you a digital copy. If the manual differs from the generic advice then the manual should be taken as the overriding one.

As for leg position the main thing is to have them sit with their bum at the back of the seat so they aren't slouched because that will make everything overall loose. Sometimes if you have a 123 type seat which converts from integrated harness to adult seatbelt, the seat is quite deep so their knees won't bend at the end, they will sort of stick straight out. (If you've heard "bum to buckle" - that's more for squeezing a bit of extra time out of an infant carrier which is a totally different style of seat, much more reclined). It's not ideal for comfort for the child so can be a downside of seats which combine different age stages.

Assuming he's forward facing the most important thing is the strap height as you've said. Level with shoulders, or slightly above if he's between two slots. For rear facing, slightly below is better. Because these days a lot of the time the headrest controls the straps, a lot of manufacturers have their rule based on the headrest now e.g. Cybex say there should be 2cm gap between the child's shoulders and the bottom of the headrest, Britax like the bottom of the headrest to be level with the child's chin, etc.

It sounds like your child is forward facing. Age 4 is the minimum the should be forward facing, but they are safest rear facing until 6 or 7.

This isn't want the OP asked so not sure what your point of it is?

Well if she’s interested in this information then I’m sure she wants her child to be as safe as possible.

They are not if they are in a forward facing seat. Not everyone knows about ERF.