Car Seat

So, I have a question about my carseat. My son is really tall for his age but I want to keep him rear facing for as long as possible. I heard that they can stay rear facing until their head is an inch from the top of the carseat. Does this mean the lowest part of the top of the apex in the middle of the back? We have the Britax Marathons, so they are pretty high-backed but its still about an inch different. My son's head is currently about 2" from the lowest part and 3" from the highest. I know we aren't going to be able to make it to two, but I'd like to keep him rear facing as long as safely possible.

they sat 22lb nda one yr for rear facing, after that you can turn him around whenever you want, although the longer the better

Parents have heard many guidelines about the height limits for rear-facing child seats. Many are familiar with the "1-inch" rule that says a child is too tall if the top of their head is within an inch of the top of the shell. Others are familiar with guidelines that allow the top of the head to be even with the top of the shell, or even the top of the ears being even with the top of the shell. Which is the right one? Depending on the situation, all these recommendations can be correct. Some general guidelines:

• The most important rule is to follow any height limit given by the manufacturer of your child seat, usually listed in the owner's manual. These limits are to be followed above any general guidelines below.
  
• The "1-inch" rule is a general guideline to determine when to move a child from a rear-facing infant carrier to a rear-facing convertible. It is NOT a conservative guideline to determine when to turn a child front-facing.
  
• An appropriate height guideline to determine when a child is too tall for a rear-facing convertible is when the top of their head reaches the top of the shell. Make sure to measure to the top of the hard shell and not the fabric cover that may appear be taller. If your seat has an adjustable head support (like the Britax Advantage/Wizard or the Cosco Alpha Omega/3-in-1), then the top of the head support is the important level if it extends beyond the main shell.
  
• Some manufacturers state other limits. For example, some Britax convertibles may list a rear-facing limit that allows the top of the child's ears to be at the top of the shell. Such limits are acceptable only for those models listed by the manufacturer or in the owner's manual.
  
• If a manufacturer's limit seems to conflict with one of these general guidelines, please contact the manufacturer for instructions.

http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html

Depending on the weight limit of the carseat.

But in most cases they have to be at LEAST 20 pounds and 1 year old before you can turn them around. If he needs a new carseat because of his height or weight, go get him one.

(by the way, this is just what I read on a peice of paper at the court house, sorry if I'm no help!)

Quoting Mommy 2 Be @ 19:“ Depending on the weight limit of the carseat. But in most cases they have to be at LEAST 20 pounds ... [snip!] ... go get him one. (by the way, this is just what I read on a peice of paper at the court house, sorry if I'm no help!)”

LOL Well he is already 24lbs, so he's good there. And its a convertible carseat and one of the largest ones I could find. I'm just wondering when to turn him front-facing. I know the new recommendation is 2 years and 30lbs, but I am afraid he is going to surpass the top of the shell long before that as he is already 36" and shows no signs of slowing down.