Carseat inspector did this.....what is right?

FarmingBride

My son just turned 2 years old.  He's currently 34 1/2" tall and 26 lbs. 

I have multiple car seats (mainly Britax Marathon's) and he is still rear facing in all of them.  I have researched this rear facing vs. forward facing subject quite a bit for over a year now.  I understand and realize they are much safer rear facing as long as possible.  My plans are to keep him rear facing until he reaches the limits of his carseat.  And he's still below the limits of all his carseats in both his height and weight.

 My daycare provider was going to put him in a 8 year old carseat and I decided I did not want that for my son so I went ahead and bought a convertible seat for him for her to put into her vehicle when they go places.  They don't travel that much but they do go do errands, to the pool and to story hour.  I bought her a Cosco Scenera 40RF convertible car seat.  So the limits on that one rear facing is 5-40lbs and 19-40 inches tall.  So he is obviously still within the limits. 

My daycare provider took all her daycare kids to a car seat check today put on by the county extension office.  Which is great that she is wanting to make sure the kids are safe in her vehicle.  I asked her how it went and she said that they didn't like how my sons legs were in the car seat.  They said that the convertible seat doesn't lay back far enough.  And then she said they didn't think the convertible seat fit in her vehicle seat well--meaing there wasn't enough room or something.  I just find that a bit odd.  I mean, not enough room....she has a surburban.  I mean I could see if she had a small car like a geo or something but she has a suburban and there's not going to be another vehicle larger than a suburban for room.  Then everything I have read and have even read from gals that are inspectors themselves that their feet being on seat and legs being bent is alright.  I am just a little frustrated I guess.  So the car seat inspectors turned his car seat around to the forward facing position with a tether in her vehicle. 

What should I do?  I know the base of that Cosco isn't as sturdy as my Britax Marathon but I sure doesn't think it would be an issue.  And I also think the manufactors that made the car seat would know the limits of their seats as why I read the operators manuals that come with the seat.  Then on top of that with the American Academy of Pediatrics revising their recommendations and say to keep kids rear facing until age 2 and to keep rear facing as long as possible.  I even copied it word for word and it says don't worry about long legs or feet squeezed, more important to keep head, neck, and back safe in a collison and that kids are comfy with knees bent. 

My gut says to tell my daycare provider to turn it rear facing.  As I am not changing my seats forward facing and I'd hate to have him think he can be forward facing when all the other seats I have will be rear yet.  Let alone the other reasons I gave above.  I think rear is safer.  Or should I let the car seat inspectors be the judges?

FarmingBride

Funny you say that because I was wondering if that was how it went.  My daycare provider had said to me as soon as my son's feet touched the seat about how he needed to be turned around to forward facing.  So I kind of had a feeling this might come up again after the seat inspection.

iteachk

I'd get a second opinion.

JCM

I would be suspicious as well.  I would insist on going with her to another carseat inspection.  I would not let her decided to turn your son FF if you are not comfortable with it.

ghm

I would also want to go with her. Do you know where she took the seat? A lot of techs aren't techs because they want to be, but because the job requires it--and therefore don't always give the best advice.

I would also be curious to see if she twisted their words. My only thought was that the scenera is notoriously difficult to install--perhaps they said it wasn't compatible with her car? I'd want to know where she took the seat and exactly what they said. If it was a fireman, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he told her these things. 

I would go with your gut--he should definitely be RF still. 

KelliLynee

I would go along to an inspection with her, or take the carseat with your own car to an inspection so you can see for yourself what they think about it. I am assuming your car is smaller than a suburban (what car isnt?) so if they can help you properly place it in your car rear facing, you can pass along the recommendation for how to place it in her car.

Do what feels right. I have a crossover & my Britax Boulevard fits perfectly fine RF  with my 2 year old. She crosses her legs, puts them up on the seat, whatever. She is perfectly comfortable.

Good luck!

LuvinMyKids

ITeachK:

I'd get a second opinion.

This!  Sounds goofy to me!