WHEN DO U STOP USING A REAR CAR SEAT

Sarah - posted on 04/09/2011

My son isn't in an infant seat any longer, but he is still rear facing. I bought a Britax Marathon which is rear facing to 35 pounds. My son is 3 and a half years old now and still is rear facing. If he is in kindergarten before he gets to turn around it's okay by me. His legs do touch the backseat of course, but he just sits indian style and is comfortable. We have never had any complaints from him because rear facing is all he has ever known up to this point. I would ten times rather him break both legs in a car accident that break his neck!! Rear face as long as possible!

Kerry - posted on 04/09/2011

my son was born 8lbs and was born on the 23/4/09 and he has been out ov a rear faceing car seat since he was about 13months old as soon as there legs start 2 go over the seat they shud be out ov 1.x

Crystal - posted on 04/07/2011

my daughter is 20 months 23lbs 32in and still RF it can be done and they are so much safer and it poses no safety issue for there legs to be touching the back seat or there legs bending kids are flexible they sit with there legs crossed while watching tv or playing so why not in the car better a broken leg which there are no reports of from RF then a broken neck

Crystal - posted on 04/07/2011

my daughter is 20 months 23lbs 32in and still RF it can be done and they are so much safer and it poses no safety issue for there legs to be touching the back seat or there legs bending kids are flexible they sit with there legs crossed while watching tv or playing so why not in the car better a broken leg which there are no reports of from RF then a broken neck

Laura - posted on 02/13/2010

WATCH THIS VIDEO!!!! Keep them rear facing for as long as you can!!! If their feet are "scruntched" it's ok.



REAR FACING SAVES LIVES!!!

Mary Lynn - posted on 02/09/2010

I would talk to your doctor on this one. I was just recently told that they recommend waiting until 2 years to turn the car seat around to forward facing.

We have already transitioned from the infant carrier to the convertible car seat, but plan to keep it rear facing for a while.

Stefani - posted on 02/08/2010

check your state laws. some of them say 20lbs, some say 1 year, and others don't have them at all. my little man is very long and has outgrown his rear facing seat and our state doesn't have any rear facing laws so he's front facing now. but I got a convertible one just in case one of the MP's(Military Police) makes a big deal about it on post

Denise - posted on 02/08/2010

My daughter's day care teacher is a certified car seat technician and gave the parent's group a class on car seats. They say that it is best to keep your child rear facing for as long as possible and to shoot for 35 pounds before turning forward. Even if their feet are touching the back of the seat, a broken leg is much better than a broken neck. You should also try to tether your seat even if it is rear facing to the front seat, much safer. Many fire stations will inspect your car seat for you, just call them and ask if they do that. She said during their events, 85% of the parents that come through for an inspection, have the seat installed incorrectly and the child is not put in the seat correctly. I would highly suggest getting yours checked out by a certified tech.

Jade - posted on 02/01/2010

In Britain there are loads of stages of car seat and I have to look it up as I can never remember but my two came out their rear facing seats when they were too big for them, and loved their front facing seats. I don't remember how old they where but my youngest is 10 months and he is in a front facing chair.

Elizabeth - posted on 02/01/2010

i thought they were bringing it in that they have to stay facing backward till they were 4. i no one study found this to be the safest way to travel untill they were 4 years old. but i no the car seat dont leave any room for their legs. my little one is 9months old. and still in backwards facing car seat. my boys moved in to forward facing car seats at about a year, if u feel ur child is cramped then maybe it is time but only u can decided on that, i no my boys would be sick if travling backwards up to the age this study was.

Laura Zoey - posted on 01/31/2010

My dr told me of a possible new law that would require rear facing until age 2 because it is extremely safer to stay rear facing. I don't want to take a stupid chance so even if it's not law yet Eric will stay backwards til he is 2 .

Heather - posted on 01/24/2010

Honestly each state has its own regulations the federal recommendation is 1 Year AND 20 lbs. In Colorado the requirement the police go by is 20 lbs. My pediatrician didnt see an issue with me turning lenix around at 8 months but he is also very developed for his age and does alot more then most babies his age. He was big enough his feet touched the back seat even in the convertable carseat.

Damaris - posted on 01/24/2010

I had jsut purchased a new car seat for my son because he finally was too big for his orginal one. The max in his 1st car seat was 29in long and 22lbs, which is EXACTLY what he is. I know that some states are more strict then others about having an infant under 1 face forward, so I made sure to buy a new seat that could be used either way. I went online to find a convertible car seat from backward facing to forward facing. With his old seat his legs were too long and were touching the seat but with this one he has more space and his feet has more room. My son won't be 1 until April 9th so I just wanted to be on the safe side and still having him facing backwards till it was closer to April. I've always had a mirror on the back seat so that he could see me as I drive and so that he could also look around. He's always been happy with that since he is VERY observant, but I'm sure once April comes around he'll be even happier that he can see more

Jenniifer - posted on 01/22/2010

you need to check your city/state/provincial by law cause they are different all over

Claudia - posted on 01/22/2010

Keep your child rear facing as long as possible. Yes their legs get crunched but they know nothing different. As it was told to me what would you rather have a broken leg or a head injury if you have an accident? In Europe kids stay rear facing until they go to booster seats.

We switched to a convertible car seat age 5 months and that made a huge difference as well. But he will remain rear facing well past his first birthday.

Kelly - posted on 01/21/2010

Most states require them to be at least one year old and I know most rear facing car seats only go up to 20 pounds. Rear facing is much safer so we use the Snugride 32 from Graco which allows you to keep them rear facing longer.

LauraBeth - posted on 01/20/2010

We went to our dr. when Gabriel was five months old with the same problem. his dr. told us to go forward faceing then, he was 21lbs and 29in (he is now 24lb 32 1/2 in), could already sit up on his own and crawl. His dr. said that he was strong enough to go forward faceing, plus Gabriel has been much happier!! But check with your childs dr. first before your change, Plus I think different states have different laws about how soon you can turn them around.

Erica - posted on 12/30/2009

They have to be 1 year old and at least 20 lbs.

Emily - posted on 12/30/2009

my son was born 5th april 2009 weighing 8lbs 13 oz he is now 23lbs. i have already took my son out of a rear facing car seat as he is too long and his legs are bending when he is sitting in the seat so he is in a forward facing one now and he enjoys the ride in the car more xx