RFing older kid and seat angle

[AngelaM]

Hi all,

My DD is 2.5, 30+ lbs, and rides rear-facing in a Britax Marathon. We have an old Nissan Sentra, and the only place the seat will fit RFing and fully reclined (which is what the instructions say for RFing) is in the center spot. We now need to put another seat in the back for our neighbor, who is 3.5, and who will be accompanying DD on various summer activities.

The problem is that his seat (FFing Cosco Scenara) won't fit on either side of the Marathon if the Marathon is in the middle. I have moved the Marathon to one of the side spots, and installed it RFing there, but there is no longer space to fully recline it. Is this okay for an older child? She's still got another half inch or so before she gets to tall to RF, so I'd really like to keep her that way as long as possible.

Thanks!

[MariesMama]

The seat has to stay in the "reclined" position (with the lever on the bottom), but there are ways to make it more upright.  The line on the side of the seat does not have to be level with the ground; when that line IS level it creates a 45 degree angle.  The seat can be as upright as 30 degrees (1 o'clock).

[AngelaM]

Oh shoot. I don't know what to do now. There is simply no way it will fit in the reclined position. It barely fits upright, my car is so small. This is so frustrating.

[MariesMama]

It's okay!  There are some more things that you can try.  Pull the base of the seat away from the car's seatback.  Then push down on the very front of the carseat.  Do you have it braced against the front seat?

[AngelaM]

Okay, thanks. I'm going to try this. I also just emailed our local car seat tech at the police department to see if she can help us. I'll let you know how it goes!