rear or foward facing car seat?

Lindsey - posted on 10/17/2009

Quoting Candice:

ok i know this is old and we are now on 10months but i have a problem with my daughter arching her back and poping the button under her chin at her chest. some times i do not notice this and she manages to get out of her rear facing seat. i have mixed feelings going on in my head right now about this subject.

Ok dont take this the wrong way...but it is definitly time to get a new car seat!  that is so unsafe for your little one!  look online for one of the new car seats that can remain rear facing till 35-40 lbs.

And I totally agree with having certain toys in the car for the babies to play with...it works wonders.

Trisha - posted on 10/11/2009

I was told to leave my son in a rear facing seat as long as possible. At least 1 year old AND 20 plus pounds. We have a convertible car seat and it works fine rear facing. He is 21 pounds and 29 inches long.

Samantha - posted on 10/10/2009

my son is the
same way and the doctor told me to wait till hes 1 and hes 22 pound and 9 months

Candice - posted on 10/09/2009

ok i know this is old and we are now on 10months but i have a problem with my daughter arching her back and poping the button under her chin at her chest. some times i do not notice this and she manages to get out of her rear facing seat. i have mixed feelings going on in my head right now about this subject.

Stephanie - posted on 10/09/2009

It's now recommended in the US to be rear facing until they are 2...it's not a requirement but they until they are one it is required. In PA if you are pulled over you will get a fine for your child not being probably seated...rear facing up to a year. I won't front face my little one until he has reached the requirement for his seat...20 lbs and 35 in. He is over 20lbs so until he reaches 35in we won't be changing him.

Sarah - posted on 10/08/2009

I have a big boy, he is 10 months old weighting 28 pounds and 33inches long now. He is extremely strong, even holding his head up before we left the hospital (5 seconds at a time) amazing his doctors. But there is no way that I will turn him around to be forward facing any time soon. His legs have been a little bent (now all the way bent) and feet touching the backseat since he was 6months old (when we took hm from the infant carrier). But crash test results don't lie... There are going to be tough choices that we are going to have to make for our children, but their safety should always come first. I also do the "car toys", a mirror that we can see each other, and he is on the passenger side-letting him see out the window, etc And he has never "complained". I know that its hard to have them unhappy-and that its stressful when they fuss. Hopefully you'll find something that will help your daughter enjoy the car seat more! Good Luck! :)

Mandy - posted on 10/03/2009

OMG! I can't believe that people have they BABIES FF! That's so horriable! Poor Babies...My 3.5 year is stilll RF...it's 500 times safer. WOW...



And Britax is no longer best for Extended RF, Graco has the MyRide that RF's to 40 lbs. Sunshine Kids Radian's RF to 40 lbs there 2010 models that come out this month RF to 45 Lbs.



In swedian it is NOT normal to FF any child under 5 :( You ladies need to research your children safety...

Stacee - posted on 10/02/2009

My baby girl is almost 10 months old and she is still rear facing - and she will be for a long time to come! I did some research when she turned 6 months old (the age where you are legally allowed to have your child forward facing in Australia) and found that they is alot of evidence that suggests it is much safer for a child to be in a rear facing car seat in an accident. That's what I solely based my decision on. It's not a hassle for us and she doesn't seem to mind - it works for us!

Diana - posted on 09/30/2009

Buy a Britax car seat and keep them safe rear facing is the safest. I dont plan on turning my 9 month old girl around until at least 1 year and now I will wait for her to just plan get sick of it and or get the weight to 35 lbs. I would rather have my baby alive then comfy

Jessica - posted on 09/29/2009

I agree, keep them rear-facing as long as possible. Mine 9 month old is 22lbs and 30in, but she will remain rear-facing until at least 1 year, most likely the recommended 35lbs! Take her favorite toy, I leave special "car toys" in my car so she only gets to play with them in the car, its like a new toy every morning when we leave for daycare!!

Vicki - posted on 09/29/2009

http://rbranch-cpst.com/rf.aspx



"What about my child's legs?"







One of many car seat related myths is that a rear facing child is at risk of broken legs when rear-facing. The reality is this: any crash severe enough to break the legs of a rear-facing child is enough to severe the spinal column and kill a forward facing child. There has never been a documented case of damage to the legs, hips or internal organs when rear facing.



On the other hand, the single most common injury for FORWARD facing children? Broken legs.







"What about comfort?"







Children are rather odd creatures, they find comfortable positions that would land the average adult in traction. Most children simply prop their legs on the back of the vehicle seat, or cross them. Many children actively prefer rear facing.







"My child suffers from car sickness."







While there are a few cases in which turning a child forward facing relieves travel sickness, it really is a toss up. There is no guarentee that doing so will relieve your child's symptoms, and the evidence that it can harm your child to be forward-facing too soon is overwhelming. While being car-sick is a miserable experience for parent and child alike, it's extremely important to remain rear facing.











"My child hates riding in the car!" or "My child is miserable rear-facing."







You will, over the course of your child's life, have to make many decisions which will make your child unhappy.







Safety issues are non-negotiable. You would not allow your child to play in the Wal-Mart parking lot the Saturday before Christmas, would you? Of course not! Choices regarding your child's safety seat are just as important and should not be influenced by what the child desires.







My preschool-age daughter would love to eat chocolate cake for every meal. That would make her happy. But it would not be a healthy choice for her.







That said, if your child only knows what it's like to be rear facing, there is no evidence that turning him or her forward facing will make them happier. Many children actively dislike forward facing. There is no support for their legs and if they drop something (like their favorite "lovey", or a sippy cup), it hits the floor rather than landing in their lap where it can be retrieved easily.



http://www.cpsafety.com has an album of older rear facing children.







"My pediatrician said my child can/should forward face now."







Pediatricians are trained on a great many things. Child Passenger Safety is not one of them, and many pediatricians do not even keep up with the recommendations of the American Association of Pediatrics, which are to keep children rear facing to the limit of their seats. (AAP 2002) This is not a new recommendation by any means, however, that doesn't mean your pediatrician is aware of the recommendation. Here is a link to a recent study discussing why rear-facing is so important that you can pass on to your ped.



http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cg...

Vicki - posted on 09/29/2009

COMFORT OR SAFETY!?

How comfortable do you think it would be to have your head thrown forward, snapping the neck, in a crash??

Keep your children rear-facing up to the maximum!! 35lbs for most convertible car seats!

Abby - posted on 09/29/2009

I flipped my baby around recently, (he's just about 10 months--23 lbs and 33 in. long). Rear-facing was terribly uncomfortable for him and he would scream the entire time in the car because his legs were all bent up and he was all alone back there. There will always be new things coming out saying what's better and what's best. it changes every single day.

Stephenie - posted on 09/28/2009

Check the laws of your state, yes in Texas the baby has to be 1 year old regardless of the weight. If the baby has outgrown the current seat you may have to buy a new one, but still has to be rear facing. Otherwise, if they pull you over, they can take your child until you come to get them in a law abiding seat.

Toni - posted on 09/27/2009

It looks like there is a bit of difference in opinion on this matter. I have read and been told numerous times that you want to wait until your baby is 20lbs, but best to wait until 1 year old if 20lbs before 1 year of age. My baby hates rear facing and is 9.5 months. Nothing helps that but someone riding in the back seat with him. I am a stay at home mom so most times this does not happen since we are alone. I expect he will not be 20lbs. at his 1st bday. So we will wait until he is 20lbs and 1 plus years old. I think all we can do as mom's is educate ourselves and do what feels right for your family. I would suggest talking to people you trust such as your child's doctor, friends and family, beyond reading all you can on this subject. People will have different opinions about everything we do as moms and for me it's best to do what I feel is right for me and my family.

Melissa - posted on 09/26/2009

I was told to rear face untill 1 year and 20 lb , my son is 20 lb and 29 in. long but he has no issue rear facing yet. I am actually getting convertable carseat this weekend due to he has outgrown the infant seat for his length. A video was posted on COM a while ago about rear facing, i dont know if you will be able to find it still but it is a youtube video showing car crashes with test dummy infants facing forward and facing rear, it is horrifying what happens when they face forward during a crash.



here is the link It really makes you think

Lydia - posted on 09/25/2009

Legal age varies from country to country- Us is 1yo, Australia its 6months. Studies recommend at least one year - some recommend a couple. I turned my daughter around at 7-8 months (Im in Aust.) Its really your choice as to how long you want to wait but definately recommend at least waiting the legal limit...toys are good for distraction and some mums (on other threads) have also said a mirror in the back so you and bub can see each other have worked for them :)

Bree - posted on 09/24/2009

thank you for your help! :)

Michelle - posted on 09/24/2009

The rules are NEVER move your child to forward facing until they are 1 year and 25 lbs. Their neck and spine aren't developed enough to face forward until then.

Marlana - posted on 09/24/2009

My daughter is 24 lbs and 31.5 in long, after she grew out of the carrier car seat we bought a car seat that converts, it can be used from 5 to 80 lbs. She doesnt have any problems stretching her legs out. I also put her on the window side of the car- I think this gives her a little more room :)

Bree - posted on 09/24/2009

My daughter is 30in long and 24lbs. she is in a forward facing seat that i keep rear facing, but her legs are completely bent, almost at a 90-degree angle. i don't feel that this is safe for her anymore, but i don't want to get a ticket bc she's only 9mos. she is already cruising, and began crawling at 6mos. i don't know what to do, can someone help?

Lesley - posted on 09/24/2009

They spoke about this recently on GMA...that they should be rear facing until 2 and at my son's 9 month appointment I was told to keep him rear facing until 2 as well. I'm not sure if that was a recommendation or a requirement now.

Morgan - posted on 09/24/2009

I have had the opportunity to work with certified car seat technicians in the past and i know that it is absolutely necessary to keep your child rear facing for as long as possible. By being rear facing it gives the support that their neck needs if in a car accident. As the techinicians use to always tell people, "A broken leg is better than a broken neck." Also, my best friend was in a head on collision with her 5 year old and 11 month old...her 11 month old was still rear facing and did not have a scratch or brusie on him, but the 5 years old is now paralyzed from the waist down and my friend still, 6 months later does not have full use of her right leg. For the safety of your child, you should keep them rear facing for as long as the seat will allow. Giving them toys is a GREAT idea to distract them or if you are taking a long trip and there is more than one person riding, someone could ride in the back to entertain them.

Tracey - posted on 09/24/2009

I know that this isn't the right thing to do, but travelling with our son is very difficult and we live very far away from anywhere. When we are just going around town, we use the rear facing seat but if we are travelling (like and hour or more) we use a front facing seat just for his comfort. We found that he does not scream the entire way by doing this. My son, though started crawling at 7 months and is alreading starting to take steps at 9.5 months so he is very strong. I would have loved to have kept him in the rear facing seat but it just wasn't working for the long trips.

Stacey - posted on 09/21/2009

i live in australia and i turned my my babies seat around when they like 3 months around 8 to 9 kgs if she can sit and hold her head up i would turn it around thats how it is here but could be diff where u live

Alyssa - posted on 09/21/2009

Our little boy is close to 21 lbs. and is 28.75 inches long. He's still rear-facing and will be until he turns one. I usually give him a toy to distract him and I guess we're blessed in the fact that most of his height is his upper body; he has short legs. :) We upgraded to a convertible carseat that we also got from Wal-Mart so we'll still be able to use it once he turns around.

Amber - posted on 09/21/2009

it really is best to keep them rear facing until they reach a year and 22 lbs. i understand how it is with tall babies mine is 29.5 ins but her feet don't touch really so bad that she isn't comforable. i just have the basic carseat for $50 from walmart if i'm not mistaken its an even flow. but i also have a toy box right beside her that she plays with so that distracts her from anything else really.