[Femboside]

I was hoping someone could advise me. My son just turned 2 and is approx 88cm tall and seems to already have his shoulders level with the straps of this seat even with the headrest pulled up as high as I can get it.

Is there some trick I'm missing about how to get it higher? As for his body shape, he's pretty slender, so he might have a long truck and short legs proportionally, but it's not apparent to me looking at him.

[lsolaBella]

Have you made the straps loose as you adjust up? The headrest goes up quite high (see pic on britax website below)

http://www.britax.com.au/car-seats/meridian-ahr-tilt-adjust

ADJUSTING HARNESS STRAP HEIGHT AND HEADREST: FOR CHILD USE FORWARD-FACING
Correct fitment of the harness is very important as it restrains the child in the restraint. The harness must fit firmly around the upper torso of the child and be positioned so as to leave the child's arms and legs free.
The headrest must be in the position where the top of the shoulder slots are nearest to the child’s shoulders, but
not more than 25mm below the child’s shoulders. If the headrest is in the top position and the shoulders are above the upper shoulder height marker then the child is too tall for the restraint and the restraint should not be used; move to next type of restraint (see pages 8 and 9).
Upper shoulder (Height marker hidden when the headrest
is not at full height)
Lower shoulder height marker
Harness Shoulder slots.
ADJUSTING AHR TILT & ADJUST HEADREST AND HARNESS STRAP HEIGHT
A. Loosen the harness straps before adjusting the headrest.
B. You do not need to remove the restraint from the vehicle to adjust the harness or headrest positions. Small adjustments maybe done with the child the seat, the child will need to lean forward to allow the headrest to be pulled forward.
C. To adjust the headrest, gently pull the top of
the headrest forward and then pull up or push C down so that the shoulder strap slots are level
with or slightly above your child’s shoulders. If
the headrest is just above the shoulders then the
harness level will be correct.
NOTE: For comfort ensure the bottom edges of the headrest are not contacting the child’s shoulders.
D. Release headrest so that it moves back and locks into position. Ensure that it has locked in position by gently pushing down on it.
E. Ensure there are no twists in the harness strap and the buckle tongues face the correct way.
F. If the headrest is moved up, then down with the child in the seat, before use, check that the headrest cover has not bunched up behind child’s back.

[Escapin]

My DD is 92 cm (not yet 2 - eek!) and fits fine. PP is right, you need to really loosen the straps before you pull the headrest up. We've still got more room to move, so I'm sure you will too. Good luck.

[Femboside]

Thanks for the suggestion. I did go an have a play without the toddler on hand to "assist" me.

I loosened the straps massively and pushed it up and down the full extent of the range a few times. The head rest did go up another couple of clicks - so thanks very much for the advice. It doesn't seem like it went up a lot though, so I might let a non-arthritic car seat specialist have a fiddle with it next time I'm in the vicinity of a baby shop.

However, next question: this seat is going to be handed down in about 5 months to number 2 when he/she is born. What would you get for a slender, might be tall 2.5 y.o.? The car's a Mazda 6 so plenty of room and we'll only be 2 seats across, so much more interested in the safest option with length to grow in than other criteria.

And again, thank you for the opinions.

[lsolaBella]

New SnS Maxi Rider or SnS Compaq.

[Femboside]

Thank you! lsolaBella, you ought to be awarded Australian honours for services to child safety!

[ELH05]

I have that seat and also am just about to hand it down to baby #2 - I'm getting the Maxirider Easy Adjust as its very similar in the way you adjust straps/headrest in the Meridian.