Are your LO's legs cramped in rear-facing convertible seat?

shellylovelee · October 2012

I'm basically trying to figure out what is the issue with our new Recaro ProRide Convertible seat we just installed. DS is not a tall guy at all, actually in 50 percentile of height. In his new seat, rear-facing, his feet now touch the seat he's facing. He was previously in a Chicco KeyFit 30 and it was easy to get him in out and his feet were no where near the back seat. The car seat seems way too close to the back seat for him to grow another year pluse there's very little room to maneuver when I'm getting him in it.

Wondering if:

1) the Recaro stinks for leg room

2) our back seat is just too small for a convertible (an old Forrester) or

3) we've screwed up somehow in the installation.

Love any thoughts or advice! Thanks!

amyc216 · October 2012

We have a Britax carseat and it's the same. The back of the seat is flush against the back seat of the car so DS has to sit with his legs crossed a bit or bent. However, I read that it's better to keep RFing even if it means their legs are a little cramped- like the benefits outweigh that part of it.

HappyAardvark · October 2012

amyc216:
We have a Britax carseat and it's the same.nbsp; The back of the seat is flush against the back seat of the car so DS has to sit with his legs crossed a bit or bent.nbsp; However, I read that it's better to keep RFing even if it means their legs are a little cramped like the benefits outweigh that part of it.

this this this. Times 1,000.

blu-eyedwife · October 2012

We're in the exact situation - Went from a keyfit 30 to a recaro, kid is in the 50th percentile for height (well around there), legs touch the back seat of my Honda Accord.

But honestly, I think it's inevitable with any carseat (same thing happens when he's in the Evenflo in my mom's car). I'm sure the STM on this board are the ones that said kids learn to cross their legs, or get in a more comfortable position.

ebp913 · October 2012

I am currently on the hunt for a convertible seat and I just read this morning that Britax and Recaro are known to be on the smaller side as far as leg room goes. While I agree that crossing legs is fine, you may want to consider another seat if you really need/want more leg room.

Stewartandmaura · October 2012

We got the Evenflo Triumph and she has loads of room. We had to use a towel to prop ours up (per the installation instructions) for it to be level and that increased the amount of leg room. It also reclines her a bit more so she doesn't have the such a hard time keeping her head back when she is sleeping.

BeesMomma00 · October 2012

Babies are meant to be in these seats with their legs in a coss-legged or semi-cross legged position. Basically, knees bent falling to the sides.

BTW... OP, I'm jealous. I LOVE the Recaro ProRide. It just didn't work with the angle of the back seat of my car.

CMonkey515 · October 2012

I think it's different with each type of car seat. We have a safety first complete air it's huge and leans back quite a bit. DS has at least two inches before his legs will even touch the back of the seat and he's on the taller side. Either way though they are just as safe whether or not their legs touch, and they will find a comfy position for their legs on their own. If you're really concerned you should have a car seat tech do an inspection just to be sure the installation is good. I wouldn't worry too much though.

KrisM86 · October 2012

We have an 04 Forester and the Britax Boulevard and have the same problem. DD's legs seem pretty squished, but she doesn't seem to mind. I did notice when trying out seats that the Evenflo and Safety 1st seats seemed roomier, but they also didn't fit in our car unless the front seats were moved up all the way, making it impossible to drive. For "family cars," the older Foresters sure are a pain in the a$$ to put rear facing car seats into.

cantalopes24 · October 2012

Are you sure the seat is reclined all the way?

kagl08 · October 2012

This is my DD, who is 2:

This picture was taken a few months ago, but she hasn't grown that much. She is 33+in and 25lbs. We have the Graco MyRide65 for both kids. DD's feet now touch more and her knees bend slightly, but she doesn't care.

It's 100% safer to have bent knees than to turn them FFing too soon. We tried about 3-4 different convertible seats and the MyRide65 was the one with the deepest shell that fit best in our vehicle (GMC Acadia).

thetheisens · October 2012

kagl08:
This picture was taken a few months ago, but she hasn't grown that much. She is 33+in and 25lbs. We have the Graco MyRide65 for both kids. DD's feet now touch more and her knees bend slightly, but she doesn't care.
It's 100% safer to have bent knees than to turn them FFing too soon. We tried about 3-4 different convertible seats and the MyRide65 was the one with the deepest shell that fit best in our vehicle (GMC Acadia).

We have Gracos too(install in a G6 and a Taurus) and ds is around 28 lbs 33 inches and his feet just touch the backseat and he either bends his knees or crosses his legs, he never seems uncomfortable and loves car rides.

emma&katiesmom · October 2012

My guy is about 27 lbs and 32-33" (I think), and he's not cramped. Sounds like your seat must be shallow. FWIW, we have a Town and Country minivan and the Evelflo Symphony 65 car seat.

ellewoodsSC · October 2012

From what I've read, most people find that the Recaro ProRide offers very little leg room rear facing, so I suspect that it's mainly the seat that's the issue. Although it's quite ok for them to sit cross-legged, there are other seats that offer much more leg room.

shellylovelee · October 2012

AMEN! That's one main reason why we went with the Recaro. We have to fit two teens in the back with DS from time to time and needed as much space around as possible.

No plans to upgrade our 2005 Forester anytime soon, so we'll just deal.

shellylovelee · October 2012

blu-eyedwife:
We're in the exact situation - Went from a keyfit 30 to a recaro, kid is in the 50th percentile for height (well around there), legs touch the back seat of my Honda Accord.

But honestly, I think it's inevitable with any carseat (same thing happens when he's in the Evenflo in my mom's car). I'm sure the STM on this board are the ones that said kids learn to cross their legs, or get in a more comfortable position.

Love the pic. This is exactly us. Thanks for posting!

shellylovelee · October 2012

I had the same question so forced my DH to check and double check but it seems that it is reclined all the way. Although it definitely looks nothing as reclined as the KeyFit was.

LCass · October 2012

shellylovelee:
I had the same question so forced my DH to check and double check but it seems that it is reclined all the way. Although it definitely looks nothing as reclined as the KeyFit was.

My understanding was that it shouldn't be as reclined as an infant carrier. The "bucket seats" have a big incline since they're meant for small/young babies who don't sit up, etc.

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Are your LO's legs cramped in rear-facing convertible seat?

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