More to Measure: Shoulder Level and Ear Level in Forward-Facing Harnessed Car Seats

At Britax, we're not just passionate about delivering superior safety technology. We're also committed to helping you understand car seat best practices so you can feel confident about fitment, use, and installation at every stage. One key part of understanding car seat safety is knowing when your child is ready to transition from their forward-facing harnessed car seat to a belt-positioning booster seat.

While weight and height* are key indicators that your child may be ready for this transition, there are other factors that play a significant role: the harness strap position with relation to their shoulders and the top of the headrest or seat shell with relation to their ears.

Understanding Harness Strap Positioning

Proper harness strap positioning is vital to keeping your little one secured in their car seat. Keep in mind that the harness positioning guidelines may vary slightly between brands and models. Always refer to your car seat’s user guide to understand where the harness straps should be positioned in relation to your child’s shoulders.

As your child grows, check the harness strap position regularly and adjust as needed. If your child has outgrown the harness system and can no longer be secured according to the guidelines in your user manual, it’s a clear sign that they’re ready for the next car seat stage – even if they haven’t yet reached the maximum height and weight limits.

Measuring Seated Shoulder Height

Children's torso lengths can vary significantly, even among those of the same overall height. Therefore, measuring their seated shoulder height can help provide a more accurate assessment of how well they fit within the car seat's range of harness heights.

Here’s a simple method for measuring seated shoulder height:

1. Have your child sit straight against a wall on the floor.
2. Use a ruler or a straight edge to mark the top point of their shoulder.
3. Measure from the floor to this point to determine their seated shoulder height.

To assist in tracking your child's growth and ensuring the proper fit, Britax includes harness slot height ranges on all our product pages under the “Product Specs” section. These guidelines serve as a tool to help you gauge how much room your child has left to grow within their current seat and when it might be time to consider transitioning to the next stage.

Ears-to-Headrest Positioning

As your child grows, you should also pay attention to the position of their ears in relation to the headrest. In general, the top of their ears should fall below the top of the headrest in a forward-facing harnessed car seat. Be sure to check your user guide and follow the fitment guidelines provided regarding ear-to-headrest positioning.

Transitioning to a Booster Seat

Making the move from a 5-point harness car seat to a booster seat marks a significant milestone in your child’s journey. Before this transition, review our Booster Basics blog to familiarize yourself with the options for the next car seat phase.

Remember, ensuring that your child’s car seat is properly fitted at every stage is crucial for their safety. At Britax, we’re here to support you through each step of your child’s growth, providing the knowledge and tools needed to keep every journey happy and secure. Let's continue to prioritize your child's comfort and safety together, ensuring every journey is a happy and secure one.

*Britax recommends that children should remain in a 5-point harness until reaching the maximum limit that the car seat allows. Always refer to your user guide for fitment guidelines.