Car seats... forward or reverse.

Andrea - posted on 01/08/2010

The law states 20 lbs & 1 yr old...that's what i'll do...

Melody - posted on 01/08/2010

Good choice momma!! Keep her rear facing it is safer. Our laws in the u.s state 1 year and 20 lbs but I know many keep them rear facing after that. We have what's called convertable carseats now which your child can go in from birth to 5 years of age and can stay rear facing as long as you wish. We have a traditional carseat and the convertiable because I knew the conv. One wouldn't be practical with an infant because you always have to take them out of the carseat it doesn't remove from a base. Always go with your gut as a mother who cares what others think/say they'll forget about it tomorrow anyway.

Robin - posted on 01/08/2010

i turned my daughter around to face forward at 6 months.
she seems to enjoy it more cos she can look out the window and watch me while we drive.

im happy with my decision!

Rebecca - posted on 01/08/2010

I HAVE A 6 MONTH OLD SHE IS 8.5KG I TURNED HER AROUND BUT SHE IS STILL TILTED BACK SO SHE IS NOT UPRIGHT COMPLETELY...

Mary - posted on 01/07/2010

well their necks are definately stronger than from when they were born, but imagine what strength they would have had you gotten in a car accident. it wouldn't be strong enough to handle that impact, i think you're wise keeping your child in rear facing. i know here in the states is says 25 lbs or 1 yr whichever comes later. good job!

Eleisha - posted on 01/07/2010

Kris if I could get them in Australia I would, am currently ordering one from an American Company - The Radian; which is rear facing until 45 pounds! Unfortunately the max that can be purchased in Australia is rear facing up to 12 kilos. I am disgusted that I have to buy from overseas just to ensure my daughters safety. T

Kris - posted on 01/07/2010

ds's car seat goes to 50lbs rear facing. he'll stay rf till he either outgrows the height or weight that his seat allows.

Michelle - posted on 01/07/2010

Personally i will keep my son rear facing ( he is 7 months) i remember hearing here in New Zealand of a car accident that killed a 9 month old ( forward facing) she would have survived if she was still rear facing.

Carly - posted on 01/07/2010

In the US your child must be rear facing until one year and 20 lbs. I just got a Britax car seat. They are expnensive but worth it! I really encourage all to check them out!!

Jess - posted on 01/07/2010

I have a 6 month old Daughter and it was a matter of needing to turn her foward facing as she is very tall and was all squashed up rearfacing. She really didn't look comfortable with her legs all bent up and kept trying to push them out and would cry cause she couldn't stretch. I would of loved to have kept her rear facing as I feel now she is growing to quick LOL

Aoife - posted on 01/07/2010

My 6 month old and my 20 month old are both still rear facing. In the U.S they can face forward at 1 yr old, if they're over 22lbs, but they recommend rear facing as long as possible. I do get funny looks from people that my son is still rear facing at 20 months, but his car seat rear faces until 35lbs so we're not turning him until then. It's far safer

Barbara - posted on 01/07/2010

I have a 6 month old boy, he is now forward facing...we made that decision based on his height, he was just too long to face to the rear and he's strong enough to sit properly. We had that approved by a qualified child seat fitter as well. Dont let others tell you what to do, you as a mother will know what to do for the best for your child taking their height and weight/posture into account.

Mary - posted on 01/06/2010

My son is 6 months old and 19 lbs. He is about to be transitioned to a "big boy" carseat, but we will still be facing him to the back. I feel it is much safer, considering the extra protection he gets by the carseat in case of a collision. I also feel it is much healthier for his neck considering the fact that rear-facing, inertia will merely cause his head to press against the back of his carseat; whereas if he were front-facing (even though he holds his head up) inertia would cause his head to flip forward onto his chest. My husband and I will be keeping him rear-facing as long as possible, and I don't feel that we are depriving him of any extra enjoyment by being rear-facing. Do what you feel is in the best interest of your child, and if there are those who criticize you for that, they will just have to come to grips with it because at least you will know your child is safe. : )

Erin - posted on 01/06/2010

my son is in a forward facing carseat but then again he weighs 25 lbs.

Alicia - posted on 01/06/2010

I remember one safety expert saying that rear-facing is so much safer that really even adults should do it. He knew that was not likely to happen, but he said that even adults could significantly reduce the chance of injury by rear-facing. Stick with your own instincts. It is so easy to get rear-ended, and your daughter is far more likely to get whiplash facing forward. What is the big advantage of forward-facing anyway? Your child is used to rear-facing. It's what she knows.

Lisa - posted on 01/06/2010

Hi there, the longer bub faces backwards the better! Our first bub stayed facing backwards until 12 months old, and our 2nd bub who is 7 month old is still facing backwards. You are right to stick to your guns. I'm sure this isn't the first piece of parenting advice you've received (and it won't be the last!). I think it's always important to listen to such advice, but always end up doing what is right for you and your bubs/family. Refer your 'helpful family' onto youtube where they can view clips of children facing backwards and the importance of doing so. All the best, L

Amber - posted on 01/06/2010

Quoting Andrea:

at 1 or 20lbs you can switch your child to a convertible car seat and that will be a good transition for when you are ready to switch from rear to forward facing.. the convertible car seats hold up to 50lbs and are both rear and forward facing. Rear facing is best and I plan to keep my son rear facing until he's two. I have recently switched him from his infant seat to the convertible because he is too big for the infant seat..

Saftey 1st makes a convertable seat that will support ur child untill they r 100 lbs, thats the one I have and I love it...  It allows rear faceing as long as u would like... 

Katya - posted on 01/06/2010

I'm facing the same dilemma at the moment as my little one turned 7 month and surly she is not ready yet to be facing forward. Thanks for advice will be keeping her facing rear at list till she is 1year.

Andrea - posted on 01/06/2010

at 1 or 20lbs you can switch your child to a convertible car seat and that will be a good transition for when you are ready to switch from rear to forward facing.. the convertible car seats hold up to 50lbs and are both rear and forward facing. Rear facing is best and I plan to keep my son rear facing until he's two. I have recently switched him from his infant seat to the convertible because he is too big for the infant seat..

Thrisha - posted on 01/05/2010

I plan on keeping DS rearfacing as long as possible.
Can you get a Radian car seat where you are. They ear face for a long time and then you can use it front facing. Good luck finding something that will work.

Amber - posted on 01/05/2010

I am a strong believer of rear faceing untill atleast 1 year old if not longer. I have a great seat which I love that will support my son untill hes is 100lbs and it gives me the options for rear and foward faceing. My family is very supportive, my mom actually has her own seat just like mine so that ther will be no issues with weight or anything as my son gets older. You should look on-line and check out the Saftey first seats, I have the Alpha Omega Elite model and my mother has the Alpha Omega. We both really like our seats and swear by them, we even bought one for my neice because he out grew her infant carrier by 8 months because they have a 22lb weight limit and my neice is a big baby...

Nora - posted on 01/05/2010

My son will stay rear facing until he is 45 lbs or is too tall for his Radian XTSL. The longer a child rear faces the better.

Lauralea - posted on 01/04/2010

I think first you follow the law and then your instincts. In the end you will have to live with the decision you choose. You would never forgive yourself if you gave into pressure and then something happended that could have been prevented by following your instincts. Be strong for your little one. That is the momma's job! I wonder what is the benefit about turning her around that your friends and family are promoting? Riding in a vehicle should be all about safety! Stick to your guns. You know what is best. good luck!

Kimberly - posted on 01/04/2010

In the United states babes must be 1 years old and 20 lbs. I have a cousin who waited until her child was 18 months and she also told me they were trying to change the law to 18 months to be forward facing. I think its the best thing for them.

Celia - posted on 01/04/2010

I mentioned to someone that I plan to keep my daughter rear-facing as long as possible (hopefully until age 2) and was told that I was "being crazy" and "good luck with that". The only person I need support from is my husband. And even if I didn't have his support, I would do this anyway. Her safety comes first.

Eleisha - posted on 12/31/2009

Quoting Michelle:

It is 5x safer for children upto 2 years to ride rear facing. Look up rear facing crash tests on YouTube.

I completely agree, which is why I am keeping my daughter rear facing.  But unfortunately in Australia, the maximum our car seats will go rear facing is 12 kilos.  If I could track one down that goes heavier, I would get it!

Michelle - posted on 12/30/2009

It is 5x safer for children upto 2 years to ride rear facing. Look up rear facing crash tests on YouTube.