Graco is committed to keeping children as safe as possible, creating products that meet or exceed the safety standards laid out by the most respected organizations around, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Even after we release a product, we continue testing it to improve the instructions we give parents about how to use it to keep their child in optimum safety. And, we really listen to our community of moms and dads and the vast car seat advocate community when they give us feedback.
With all of that in mind, Graco is announcing that we are eliminating the 40” upper limit in rear-facing mode on the Size4Me™ 70 convertible car seat. The new height limit is that the top of your child’s head must be at least 1” below the bottom of the red head support actuator when the seat is in rear-facing mode. This change in height limit applies to ALL Size4Me™ 70 seats, regardless of when they were purchased.
We’re already getting terrific feedback (and lots of excitement!) about this announcement from the car seat advocate community and from parents across the country. We know you’ll probably have some questions, so below are common questions and the answers from our Graco car seat engineers.
Happy (safe!) riding!
What are the rear facing limits for the Size4Me™ 70 Seat?
Based on continuing child fit studies, Graco is changing the rear facing height limit for the Size4Me™ 70 car seat. The rear facing weight limit will remain unchanged at 40lb. We are updating the height restriction to eliminate the 40” upper limit. The new rear facing limits will be:
- The Size4Me™ 70 CRS is certified for use rear facing with children up to 40lbs. (18Kg). Some children approaching 40lbs. may be too tall to fit rear facing. It is important that the top of the child’s head must be at least 1” (2.54 cm) below the bottom of the red head support actuator when using the seat rear facing. The head support may be placed in any of the adjustment positions provided that the shoulder harness is positioned at or below the child’s shoulders and there is no interference with the front vehicle seats.
These new limits were established to support allow the longest rear facing usage aligned with the new American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines (In April 2011 – the AAP advised parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for the seat) while also allowing for proper vehicle fit and to avoid interactions between the adjustable head support and front vehicle seats. The new limits take into account the significant variation in vehicle rear seats as well as differences that exist in seated child height versus standing height.
This change is retroactive for all Size4Me™ 70 seats.
What head support positions are allowed in rear facing mode?
There are no restrictions on the head support for rear facing mode. All positions may be utilized. Based on our fit studies and the height and weight limits, most children will outgrow the rear facing mode by height and weight in head support positions 4-6. Since the head support also controls the harness positions, it is important to adjust the head support so that the harness position is at or just below the child’s shoulders in rear facing mode.
Does the 1” rule for the top of the child’s head in rear facing mode apply to the Size4Me 70?
Due to the design of the Size4Me™ 70, the traditional 1” rule does not apply. This rule was modified to measure the 1” distance from the bottom of the red head support actuator rather than the top of the seat shell. The top of the child’s head must be 1” below the bottom of the red head support actuator when used rear facing.
Can the Head Support contact the back of the vehicle seat in rear facing mode?
It is OK for the back of the Size4Me™ head support to touch the back of the vehicle seat when installed rear facing providing the following:
1) The contact does not interfere with the proper installation of the CRS
2) There is no interference that would create pressure or force on the car seat from the back of the front vehicle seat that would cause the car seat to move or change recline angle.
3) The car seat can be properly leveled and attached to the vehicle seat.
4) The child’s shoulders are appropriately positioned at or below the harness position set by the head support.
What are the measurements for forward facing?
This is such good news! It’s so wonderful that Graco is so responsive to its customers and that it has developed a wonderful seat that will allow parents to meet the current guidelines for rear-facing.
This is great news, but please, please show an older model rear-facing when you advertise this seat say about 2 years old, I think if a CR company get this more in the lime-light it will get the point across that rear facing is better.
This is such awesome news… as a parent and CPST I’m excited that Graco continues to prove that you can be a leader in the car seat safety community at an affordable price. I’m so proud to be a Graco Nation member and to be able to once again say Graco cares and I trust my child’s safety their products!! So THANK YOU! Now… how about some wild kid friendly royal blues, crazy greens and awesome oranges to go along with it.
Totally agree with Brandy! I think the box and ads should have images of BOTH infants and older toddlers rear-facing! I can’t believe the number of people who still turn their kids around at one when they’re so tiny
Of course, where I work I have parents who don’t even have their kids in car seats so it’s even more of a struggle, but really work to get that message out there!!
Harness must be at or above the shoulders in rear facing mode??? Is that correct?
“The child’s shoulders are appropriately positioned at or below the harness position set by the head support.”
Where will we be able to purchase this seat? I’ve been online as well as our local Buy Buy Baby and they are under the assumption that it’s been discontinued.
Melissa no when RF the straps should always be at or below the shoulders never above they should only be above when FF
From what I have read and heard, this seat and the My Size 70 are the same. Does this same information apply to the My Size 70?