CARSEAT

Danielle - posted on 03/24/2010

It's not a question of age, your baby have to walk by himself and weight 20 pounds or more.

Laurette - posted on 03/24/2010

So long as baby can hold his own head it should be okay.... that is about 3-4 months or 9kg.

Dana - posted on 03/24/2010

Its ONE YEAR and 20 POUNDS !!! It's not one or the other.

If it were, then my son would have been front facing at 2 months old.

It makes no difference if they are walking or not. It has to do with size of the bodies compared to the head, and how strong the neck and back muscles are.

Adesta - posted on 03/24/2010

the laws regarding child safety seats changes from state to state. It's funny that this comes to me today as I was researching this just this morning here in NY. Simply Google (or whatever search engine you use) "Child Safety Laws in *whichever state you live in*" and go from there. Our DMV website had all the necessary info that I needed.

Laura Zoey - posted on 03/24/2010

35 pounds 36 inches. I wish every baby could be as safe as possible in a car but OBViously lots of infants are being seated incorrectly due to BAD advise from police, firemen, pediatritions etc. If you really want your baby to be safest you will seek REAL experts in carseats! These experts would include crash testing findings, and carseat manufacturers. These people actually KNOW what is safest and most up to date in infant and toddler carseat safety. If you take your advise from people who aren't seeing the crash tests and the reccommendations of the carseat companies you are getting an opinion based on god knows what. So if anyone cares to know the safest way for your child to ride in a car then be proactive and find out the truth! Seriously look into it and don't take advise, take FACT. The reason o say 35 pounds and 36 inches is because that's the size my sons carseat says to put him forward facing. This is almost as big as any seat allows rear facing. I saw 2 that go to 40 pounds. My son was 20 pounds at 4 months. That CANNOT be big enough to sustain a forward seat impact. He will be rear facing until I see facts stating that he will be SAFER facing forwards. I am serious with my sons safety and I will not put him in danger by placing him forward facing prematurely. No one wants to have a crash but if you do and your baby is dead from decapitation you will not forgive yourself.

Angela - posted on 03/24/2010

1 year old & at least 20 lbs

Lys - posted on 03/23/2010

My daughter is 11 months olds and 14lb/6.5 kg. Recommendation is 12 months or 12kg, so she's got a while yet. She is still happy rear facing although would love to turn around.

Louise - posted on 03/23/2010

Just to clarify a point as far as I'm aware in the eu children under 11 or 1.5m whichever comes first must be in an age appropriate car seat or booster. However there has been no speciication on how long they must be rear facing. I haven't hear of rear facing till 4 but I don't know how they'd do it. My son is 4 now but really tall to the point he's wearing clothes for a 6 year old. I have him in a car seat but have had to remove the 5 point harness and am using the seatbelt. It's a multi age one. Also he is going to have to go to booster soon as the height is stretched up to the last. And before I get jumped on yes I did but a new car set when he outgrew the stage 1 one. We got the one that the straps stretched the longest. So considering that it's a seat designed to sit back against the car seat and is using the seatbelt to strap in the child I have no earthly idea how I'd manage to turn him rearfacing!

Nancy - posted on 03/23/2010

My child is 11 mo and 1 day old, about 24lbs, and has been walking for 3.5 weeks. We switched her at 20 lbs. She's also in the ">95%" for height.

Stina - posted on 03/23/2010

At least 1 year old. I just received a child profile mailing (Washington State) that said 1 yo and 20 pounds. I thought the 20 lbs seemed pretty light since my dd has been 20 lbs since about 9 months... Try to hold of as long as possible after the first birthday because rear facing is safer in the event of an accident.

Louise - posted on 03/23/2010

It depends on the child. There is no hard and fast rule here but my son was too big for his carry tot at 18 weeks old and he was 19 lbs so we put him into the next size carseat tipped back as far as it would go!! And we put it forward facing for 2 reasons 1 being that when it was rearfacing you couldn't use the passenger seat, not good for a family of 4. and 2 he used to scream his head off as the carseat being larger that the carrytot frightened him if he couldn't see me!! He was a large baby wearing 2t clothes now at 11 months so was fine but might not work for a smaller baby.

Nelda - posted on 03/23/2010

I think the child must 25 lbs and over here in Arizona

Laurie - posted on 03/23/2010

Don't be in a hurry to start using a forward-facing child seat. The longer you use a rear-facing infant-only seat, infant /child seat, or infant/child/booster seat that fits correctly, even past your baby's first birthday, the safer your baby will be in a crash. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for use and check the label for the weight and height that are allowed.

When to use a forward-facing child seat...

Before you make the change to a forward-facing child seat, ask these questions:
Is your child too heavy or too tall for your rear-facing infant seat? There may be another rear-facing seat that will fit your child.
Does your child still fit within the weight and height given on the label for your rear-facing infant/child seat? You may be able to continue using the rear-facing infant seat until your child outgrows it.

Alyssa - posted on 03/12/2010

It has nothing to do with age. Its all about the weight. Your child should be rear facing till its 35lbs. If you have your baby is front facing and get in a crash or if some one rear ends you your baby is more likely to end up with wiplash. In Sweden they keep their kids rear facing till they are 4 years old. You can also go to your local fire department and ask then to inspect your childs carset to see if it is instaled correctly. Most parents dont have there childs carseat in correctly Heres a video you should watch.

Gemma - posted on 03/11/2010

I'm from Scotland and here you put your child in to the car seat they fit. I just switched my 11 month old to forward facing. her rear facing car seat was only up to 9 months and she was bursting out of it, I struggled to clip her in it. It's only a new recommendation in Europe that they stay rear facing til 4. I'm not even sure you can get a suitable rear facing car seat for a 4 year old, and the swivel one aren't very good apparently.

Tracie Lynn - posted on 03/11/2010

http://www.joelsjourney.org/
http://www.kyledavidmiller.org/

Having your baby rear facing for as long as possible is the VERY BEST for your baby. Check out the links above. It is not about weight or height or age, it is about what the body can handle and at such a young age, the spines and necks of babies can not handle what happens in a car crash.In European countries children stay rearfacing until 4 years old. It is much easier to fix a broken leg then it is to fix a broken neck. My son is going to be rear facing until he weighs to much to be rear facing. He doesn't enjoy being in the car but I would rather deal with a crying baby than no baby at all. The car seat companies have increase the maximum rear facing weight because it is safer not because babies are bigger. My son is almost 11 months old, weight 25-28 pounds and already walks. But he will be rear facing till at least 45 pounds.

Mary Lynn - posted on 03/11/2010

The longer you can keep them rear facing the better according to the latest studies. The recommended age to keep them rear facing is 2.
http://babyproducts.about.com/od/carseat...

Emily - posted on 03/11/2010

1 year
20 pounds

Nichole - posted on 03/10/2010

It just depends on the weight. Look at the weight limit on your infant car seat probably says up to 20 lbs or so and the front facing car seats usually say from about 20 lbs on.

Joni - posted on 03/10/2010

just to set the record straight ther is no law that says when to turn them around as long as they are properly restrained. my husband is an officer and i asked him if it would be ok to turn our almot 11 month old around (she is over the 20lb recomendation for front facing) also. and as far as an accident goes...if the accident is bad enough it is not going to matter. the only way that matters is if they are in an infant carrier because in an accident they are designed to cover the baby like a turtle shell. (fun fact i learned from the car seat lady when we had it installed) whatever you are comfortable with, as long as your baby is almost a year and over the 20 lbs then it will probably be ok.

Brittany - posted on 03/10/2010

My son's doctor recommends age 2... She says is Europe or somewhere like that it is until they are 4!!! I am just going to change his once he is at the age/weight limit and is too long and outgrows his carseat.

Tiffany - posted on 03/09/2010

25-30 pounds unless the carseat info says otherwise.

Shannon - posted on 03/08/2010

AAP is changing their recommendation to 2 years if possible, but the law in the US is still 1 year AND 20 pounds.

http://aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/c...

"Toddlers should remain rear-facing in a convertible car seat until they have reached the maximum height and weight recommended for the model, or at least the age of 2."

Gina - posted on 03/08/2010

20 lbs and 1 year. Apparently it has to do with the development of the spine. By 1 it is stable enough to endure a car accident in a forward facing car seat.

Lynette - posted on 03/08/2010

It is one year and 20 pounds. They need to meet both requirements. The reason for the 1 year mark is the strength of their neck muscles. Up until 1 year they are not able to handle a crash facing forward. It is important to meet both these milestones before turing them forward facing.

Brenda - posted on 03/05/2010

One year of age AND at least 20lbs.

Kimberly - posted on 03/04/2010

I wait until 20 pounds for that step unless they are walking (well) like some of the others mentioned. Usually they are 20 pounds at that point BUT I have a little bittie this time so we'll see.

Jillian - posted on 03/04/2010

The age isn't the only significant factor - the child MUST be 20 pounds AND 1 year old - so if your 1 year old is only 19.5 pounds, you must not face them forward until the baby weighs 20 pounds! Read your manual on your car seat - it will tell you the legal expectation. Canada it is 20 pounds and 1 year old - no exceptions.

Jenny - posted on 03/04/2010

our state law requires one year. however they say up to 2 years is safest for the child. thankfully they make larger convertible seats that hold more weight rear facing. my son is 21 lbs at 10 months and i would NO way turn him around. he is tfar to delicate be turned around at his age, in fear of a car accident i dont think their necks are meant to take that type of trauma yet. so stick with rear, get a bigger convertible if needed .we had to since dad is 6' 4 265 lbs, my lil guys is growing quite quickly =)

Elizabeth - posted on 03/03/2010

I was told by my peditrician that every child is different so I've had my 10 month old in her foward facing car seat for the fact of she's to heavy for the foward facing but the graco foward facing has a converter seat in it so she is basically swaddled in her seat now.

Keri - posted on 03/03/2010

Keep them in there as long as you can. There is a lot of fun interactive toys you can buy to place on the seat of the car that the baby is looking at to help keep him ocupied.

Cari - posted on 03/03/2010

It depends on your states law mine says 12 onths but my daughter is only 10 months and is already in a forward facing yes it's breaking the law but she meets height and weight requirements and is too tall for the rear facing so unless they redesign a rear facing car seat to accommodate taller babies this is what I ahve to do!

Laura Zoey - posted on 03/03/2010

Mikkii , Eric was 20 lbs at 4 months. He is still rear facing. His seat can be used rear facing up to 35 lbs 35! And up to 34 inches! He needs not face forwards until he is 21 months if he remains at the 97th percentile for height. Or until he is 2 years old if he is in the 95th percentile for weight. If YOUR carseat doesn't allow for rear facing until these sizes then get a new one. I am so sick of loving mommies taking risks in the car.

Maria ferrecchia my son was 20 lbs at four months do you really want to say that he was ready to face forward? Honestly watch the videos and imagine yourbaby being decapitated.

Michelle o'brien if you put your six month old forward this sickens me to no end. Do you realize that you are putting yourbaby in a seriously dangerous place??? If YOURcarseat doesn't acomodate rear facing until 35 lbs and 34 inches then getanew carseat!!!!! This isnotrocket science ladies the facts are in. Every company reccommends rear facing fir as long as possible. Somepediatritions don't have a clue about the safest way to travel. Look into the crashtest findings and put your babies and toddlers backwards.!



Let's make rear facing like breastfeeding.....

The longer the healthier the baby!!!!!!!!



I'm hoping to make it to 2 years for both.



Please. No hate comments towards me all I want isfor us to help babies stay saafe in the car.

Brittany - posted on 03/03/2010

it's illegal in Wisconsin to have a baby facing forward before one year old.. and my nurse recommeneded to keep him rear facing until about 2 years old.

Mikkii - posted on 03/03/2010

pattrik is a huge baby and very quickly outgrew the weight and height limit on his rear facing carseat. then again he was 20 lbs by the time he was 6 months old. he's been in a front facing carseat since he was about 7 months old and rides much happier now.

Heather - posted on 03/03/2010

In the US the *minimum* is 20 lbs AND 1 year. My 10 month old outgrew his infant carrier by 5 months. We put him in a rear facing convertible carseat. I plan on keeping him rear facing for as long as possible.

As parents, we all need to do our research and talk with our pediatrician to determine what is best for our babies.

Angelica - posted on 03/03/2010

I sold and was trained in this, it is 20 lbs AND one year. Their bone structure & muscles aren't ready for it before. There is talk suggesting rear facing until two years (little too long for tall babies)

Sam - posted on 03/03/2010

from around 9 months and also depends on weight of child. if growing out of baby one ie shoulders above the straps then needs to move. i've moved mine over and now 10 months.

Keeley - posted on 03/03/2010

Another good video:

Jennifer - posted on 03/03/2010

i had to turn the car seat around at 8 months and 18 lbs. my daughter hated being rear facing and would scream the whole time. i turned her around and started using a car dvd player and she loves to ride now. before i hated to even put her in the car. i say if your baby is close in age and weight and is strong enough do what you have to do is best for you and your baby.

Keeley - posted on 03/03/2010

Also in response to people's children being too long for their rear facing car seats, you need to help them learn to cross their legs. I've seen pictures of 3 and 4 year olds that either cross their legs or they have their legs going up the back of the back seat. There is a saying that says "i'd rather a broken leg than a broken neck." The research shows it is unlikely they will hurt their legs, while the risk of internal decapitation is very real if they are facing forward. The concern about them facing forward too early is two things. First their neck muscles are not strong enough. A babie's head weight is about 25% of their body vs. an adult which is about 6%. More importantly,Infants and young toddlers have spines made of soft bone and cartilage that doesn’t begin to harden until around age 3. As a result, the spinal column can stretch up to 2 inches; however, the spinal cord will rupture after being stretched after only ¼ inch. This damage cannot be repaired. I would take a fussy baby who doesn't like to face backward any day than have my child die. I would never be able to forgive myself. Just ask your self the question, "if research clearly shows it is safer to have my child rear face as long as possible and I turn my baby around early can I forgive myself if something happens and I could have possibly prevented it?" If you can forgive yourself, then go for it.

Keeley - posted on 03/03/2010

Forward Facing your child in their carseat is not a milestone to look forward to. They are 5x safer rear facing in their car seat. Please do your research before you decide to turn your child to face forward in their seat. Your child's safety should be your top priority. You need to have your chid rear face until they reach the limits of their car seat, not until they reach the minimums. Here is a great article that explains several of the reasons you should rear-face your child for as long as possible. http://carseatblog.com/?p=5168 There are also a lot of moving videos on youtube that really get the message across as well. Just search rear facing car seat. Since there is no additional effort involved to have your child rear-face, please do so for their safety until they reach the height or weight limits of your car seat. While your pediatrician may say it is ok at 20lb and 1 year, that is not even the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics anymore. A lot of the pediatricians out there unfortunately are not up on the latest safety in regards to carseats. Please do further research.

Laura Zoey - posted on 03/03/2010

There is no RIGHT in this as you can see but listen to the benifits of rear facing. Then do whatever you want as it's your baby and if you want to typu can sit them wherever you want. My carseat says rear facing till 12 months 20 pounds and 34 inches. It is a safety first brand seat. Weighted for 5-85lbs. This discussion sickens me. Good luck.

Caitlin - posted on 03/03/2010

wow in Oz its rearward facing to 6months or 8kg. and the upper weight limit of most rearward facing seats is 9 kg- even if they are convertible and can go up to 18kg forward facing they will still only be rated to 9kg in the rearward facing mode. mode bubs i've known outgrow capsules/rearward facing by being too long by about 8-9kg.

Francesca - posted on 03/02/2010

PLEASE do your research before taking any "advice". There are rules and regulations for a reason. Its not about length of a baby. At the very least they say 20lbs AND 1 year of age. But there is significant research that even that is not good enough.



My daughter is really long. Her legs dangle over the edge of the carrier. But my local hospital often does car seat days where they talk about all the different types. They check out how yours is set up. How to make it better, and when to move on to the next stage. And they said there wasn't risk of breaking her legs just because they dangled. They said it was more of a risk that her neck was not strong enough and it snapping if she was forward facing.



My little Ella hates to be rear facing. She has cried since day one. And because we live a good distance from my in-laws its a two hour commute with a crying baby in toe every weekend. But I can't take the risk. It would be irresponsible of me. They have fabulous rear-facing seats now that support all the way to 35lbs.



When if comes to child safety, arm yourself with the facts.

Kimberly - posted on 03/02/2010

watch the video stacey posted...i was so excited to turn my daughter around in her seat to face forward but after watching that video i am going to keep her rear facing for as long as i can...well until her legs are touching the back seat. she just hit 20 pounds but no way....Let's keep our little ones safe.

Jennifer - posted on 03/02/2010

when ever their feet are falling over the edge of the little car seat or if their feet touch the back of the seat cause if thats the case if you get into a car accedent it can brake thier legs. my daughter has been in an up right car seat since 9 months and it sit rear or front facing and i got it approved by my local fire department

Holly - posted on 02/28/2010

Please consider keeping your child rear facing as long as it is possible. A few others have posted that children in rear facing carseats can also end up with major medical complications and they are correct. It is a matter or physics. Rear facing is safest in a front end collision; front facing is safest in a rear end collision. I personally am more aware of a car riding to close to my rear bumper and can take action to create a comfortable distance between us (by changing lanes or just pulling off the road). I cannot, however, make adjustments for the crazy person who is texting, drinking a coffee and weaves into my lane in front of me. I've chosen to keep my children rear facing....sorry, this is an issue that I feel very strongly about!

Michelle - posted on 02/12/2010

My baby was in a 4ward facing carseat at 6mnths he was 2 long 4 the other carseat x

Terra - posted on 02/03/2010

My son is 9 months old and almost 24lbs. I know that in TN it is over a year old and 20lbs also. He is still in a backwards facing carseat at this time and I will try to atleast get him to a year old facing that way. He is 30" long so it is a tight squeeze getting him in but I feel so much safer facing him this way. I figure if he gets too much more length I will talk to the pediatrician about it. His feet almost touch the back seat already, but without the okay I refuse to switch him around. I look at it like safety over comfort until I can no longer fit him that way.