Hellobee Boards

DD1 went through this phase about the same age as your son and I remember reading about several other kids at that age too. I think it's just a phase and I don't think they're truly uncomfortable! I would check about moving the crotch buckle out further if you haven't already and make sure the shoulder straps are the right height (they can be at or below shoulders if RF and at or above if FF - moving one setting sometimes helps convince DD1 she's fine). But mainly I think it's a control thing at that age - sorry I'm not more help!

My kid, age 3, really doesn't like the straps. Is it possible to recline it more?

For forward-facing kids, sometimes dangling legs can cause low back pain. You could try giving him something to rest his legs on (like a foam cooler, a stack of pillows/blankets, or one of those inflatable things for airplanes) and see if it helps.

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I agree with a lot of others that this can just be an age thing - not liking to be strapped in, preferring to move. Also agree that dangling legs can cause lower back pain, we faced that when we switched DD to forward facing. For awhile we used an upside down foam cooler for all drives, now she only wants it when the drives are 45+ minutes.

A couple of other things, I don't know if he is potty trained but some kids feel a lot more of the seat when they switch from diapers to underwear. They lose a layer of padding and it can make their butt or lower back uncomfortable. The other is that the NextFit is a very "C" shaped seat which some kids find uncomfortable forward facing as it can put pressure on the lower back.