Car seat rules for a 1 year old?

Deborah - posted on 04/09/2010

If your child can stand there's no reason she cant be in a forward facing seat they say that if your baby can stand up by themselves whether they pull up or otherwise then move them to a forward facing seat i have three kids my youngest is 13 months and none of them were ever in a backward facing seat til 2...

Corlia - posted on 04/09/2010

I am in South Africa. My son turned 1 year on 17 March. He has been facing forward since 8 months. He got way to big and curious to face backwards. He will go NUTS if he still had to face backwards and can't see a thing when I drive. His head goes sideways left and right all the time to see whats going on outside and he does his babychats non stop while I drive. His chair is on the backseat but it faces forward. It depends on the child weight I would say. If you child is too big for the seat facing backwards he is too big.

Quionna - posted on 04/09/2010

Of course not, I don't see why your dr would tell you that. The rules are in "black and white". My daughter is so tall that she has been facing forward and in a new car seat since she was 7 months. She is 13 months and over 32 inches long. HTH

Misun - posted on 04/08/2010

my husband and i came across a really helpful site of carseat reviews that helped us make our decision for our next stage carseat. http://carseatblog.com/?page_id=401

Jenny - posted on 04/08/2010

All I have to say is thank you so much for posting this discussion. I have learned a lot about the advantages of rear facing car seats and been reminded of the imortance of choosing credible car seat for my LO's next stage that will be the safest. It is one of the most important purchases a mom can make. I will keep my 13 mos. old in a rear facing position as long as i possibly can. I would rather not take the chance!!!!

Kelly - posted on 04/08/2010

No, there is no problem with her sitting forward. The law states that they have to be facing backwards until they 1. However, it is your own opinion.

Katherine - posted on 04/08/2010

The thing is my daughter doesn't weigh enough, according to the law and safety regulations.

Miranda - posted on 04/08/2010

Not at all! My doctor told me that it is safer to keep them sitting backwards up to 2 years old, but not mandatory. I actually put my son in his big boy car seat about 2 weeks before his 1st birthday, facing forward. I figured it was time for him to see more than the back window of the car. Ha! Ha! As long as she is 1 years old and over 20 lbs, you are good to have her sit forward.

Felicity - posted on 04/08/2010

The rules say that at 7months with good head control and over 8kg you can sit forward but best to do when 12months. my daughter was sitting forward as she was pulling herself up to see what was going on. I wouldn't leave her there until two. thats the rule in qld. they sit forward from 12-4 yrs in a car seat and then after that they can go into a booster seat with a harnes.

Katherine - posted on 04/08/2010

I am going to make something very clear right now. Car seat threads elicit very sensitive responses. A lot of people aren't aware of different laws and say things that hurt others. Do not take it that way. People don't mean it that way. Me especially. I have been on here long enough to know. My point? I am not JUDGING.

Katherine - posted on 04/08/2010

Pamela, did you read my posts??????? I said it depends on where you LIVE. I Am fully aware of different laws, cars and circumstances.

Shelley - posted on 04/08/2010

my son has been in a proper car seat since he was about 5 months (he's now 13 months) and we have never had a problem...his car seat is the maxi cosi tobi and it leans back quite far, so his head has never fallen forward.

Melanie - posted on 04/07/2010

My son turned one on the 24th of march and in the state of Oregon the child has to be one years old and weigh needs to be 20 pounds to be in a foward face car seat. I would look up the state that you live in to see what the laws says I know each state is different.

Amy - posted on 04/07/2010

I was told 2 also and I have twins that are 8 and I kept them rear-facing till they were 18 mos. It is best to keep them rear-facing as long as they can stand it.

Courtney Erin - posted on 04/07/2010

My pediatrician told me that is is safer to have them facing backward but not to invest in a special car seat if I already had one to face forward. that being siad even though they don't seem to fit facing backward if they have to curl up there legs to fit it isn't uncomfortable for them b/c they have not developed all the tenseness in the joints and muscles that we would have if we were to sit that way. so they may not look comfortable but they are perfectly fine.

Becca - posted on 04/07/2010

as long as you is one and 20 pounds she can face the front!

Amanda - posted on 04/07/2010

My son (born 3/3/09 too!) has been in the convertible seat since 6 months, and he will be rear facing until the limits of his seat. I'd much rather deal with a cranky baby than a dead or paralyzed one. I really think that you should do more research before deciding to turn your child. Is the risk worth the benefit? My son's feet touch the back seat of the car, but he can bend his knees if he needs too. Please check out these sites!

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

Megan - posted on 04/07/2010

I recommend getting the highest Rear facing weight possible. You should keep them rear facing as long as humanly possible. My doctor told me to keep My daughter rear facing until she hit the weight limit for it (40lbs in her new Safety First Air Compact seat)
If you youtube rear facing carseats, there are more than enough video's to explain why kids should be kept rear facing as long as possible (even until the age of 4). Rear facing is the safest way for ANY child to be... KEEP in mind, if they have been forward facing at all, they will fight you tooth and nail if you put them back to rear facing.... This is probably one of the most important decisions you could make for your baby. Make a well informed one.

Pamela - posted on 04/07/2010

the swedish car seats are different to the ones here.. rear facing here the baby is pretty much snug in there. Each government makes them different and makes the rules different.. I would do what makes you feel she is safe as well as what makes her happy. Both my boys are forward facing but reclined

Amber - posted on 04/07/2010

Tennille - If that were the case, then Swedish children would all be malformed, since they routinely are rearfacing until they are over the age of 4.

Tennille - posted on 04/07/2010

mmm my son is only 9kg but very tall i also live in australia and we are told to put the baby forward facing at 6 months as long as their neck is strong enough which was the best thing he was much happier. my doctor told me staying in a rear facing seat for to long doesnt help the spine develope properly

Pamela - posted on 04/07/2010

OMG!!!! heheheh Kathrine way to care the shit out of people in Australia the rules are different from 6 months ( 8 kilos) they can face forward I didn't turn my boys around until they was no more room Cameron that was 11 Months and Ewan it was 10 Months .. in the UK its 12 Kilos or 1 year old to face forward. Im sure she is strong enough to sit forward facing.. and she wont get internally decapitated .. eeeeeeeekk yukk

Katie - posted on 04/07/2010

I don't think anyone is trying to make anyone feel bad if someone turns their child forward facing. Everyone has their own way of doing things.

Some folks just want to keep their babies rear facing because they feel it is safer (and has been proven to be safer). Plus the woman asking the original question was just seeking advice from others on what they have done. She has gotten lots of different opinions. And everyone needs to realize that we all are just providing our opinions on these subjects.

Also, I may be as safe as possible when I am driving my car and my daughter is in it, however, who knows who is on the road with you. One night when I was totally sober (absolutely no alcohol in my body), I was hit by a drunk driver. Five minutes before the crash, I had no idea that person was on the road the same time I was and that he was going to hit me.

So just be safe with whatever choice you make.

Sophie - posted on 04/07/2010

everyone i know moved their baby into a front facing seat as soon as they reached the weight for it. my daughter is tall and so she was moved into hers at one year and she loves it. i dont appreciate posts implying my daughter will be killed in a car crash because she is in her forward facing one! thanks for making me feel bad now and for thinking about having a car crash!

Amanda - posted on 04/07/2010

Most car seat manufacturer's have age, weight AND height recommendations for being forward facing. My car seat's is 1yr AND 22lbs AND 34inches. You say your daughter is tall, but is she at least 34inches tall? I plan to wait until my son is 34inches tall before we turn him.

Katie - posted on 04/06/2010

I have B/G twins that turned a year March 9th 2010. My daughter is 18lbs and my son is 24 lbs. She stayed in her infant carrier until about 9-10 months and my son was out of his by the time he was about 5 months.... Mind you she was born at 4 lbs 1 oz and he was born at 4 lbs 10 oz.

Wendy - posted on 04/06/2010

My daughter turned 1 March 2nd, her doctor said I can face her forward BUT it is safer to keep them rear facing as long as possible, but like you she is too tall, and she just don't like facing backward anymore, she likes to see what is going on!!!

Rachel - posted on 04/06/2010

Depends on where you live, in Pennsylvania they need to be 12 months and I believe 20 lbs. I started my son off he is 23lbs and 1 years old. I started my daughter forward faceing around the same time as him 8 years ago. Check your laws for where you live, or talk w/the doctor.

WENDY - posted on 04/06/2010

I have a son who weighed 22 lbs and reached 25 inches at 6months. I turned him around at 8 months and have been pulled over, and the officer asked about him and he just made sure he read the car seat instructions and sited me for not "fully" stopping at the stop sign, which I did. My son is my fourth and I have always turned them around at 8 months. I feel safe so long as I know they are secured properly in their chairs, I don't worry.

Molly - posted on 04/06/2010

My doctor also advised me to keep my (13 month old) son rear facing as long as possible because it's MUCH safer! I watched that joelsjourney video and I was convinced! He is very tall (32") and can't straighten his legs, but he doesn't mind, just sits criss-cross. I have a mirror on the back seat so I can see him, and he's figured out how to look in it to see me in the rear view mirror too. I agree it's a pain to load him in rear facing (plus he's in the middle seat because it's the safest) but it's worth it. I couldn't forgive myself if he was seriously injurred in an accident and I hadn't done everything I possibly could to keep him safe.

The law states you have to be 1 year AND at least 20 lbs to turn them forward facing, but your doctor's advise is safer.

Amber - posted on 04/06/2010

Mary,



Just because legally your child can be turned around doesn't mean that statistically it is the safest choice.



It's legal to buy (and smoke) cigarettes once you're 18, but it's not a good choice!

Amber - posted on 04/06/2010

Check http://www.seatcheck.org/ for locations near you that have CPST available to check your installation. Here in PA, you need to set up an appointment with the state police, which I know is different from many states.



Alternatively, check with your local SafeKids coalition to see if they're going to have a seat check event soon.

Mary - posted on 04/06/2010

When I just took my son for his 1 year, he weighs 21 lbs 12 ozs, they said you can now face him forward. Not really sure why your doctor told you not to.

Katherine - posted on 04/06/2010

I meant Yes!!!! about Babies R' Us

Katherine - posted on 04/06/2010

YES!!!!! I have a mirror ;) She has toys ;) I will check out Babies R'Us !!!!! Most places are reluctant because of the liability. I am worried because I may not have installed it properly.

Katie - posted on 04/06/2010

Katherine, do you have a Babies R'Us nearby? They sometimes give workshops on car seat safety and also install car seats (around here they do). Maybe they can help.

Good luck!

p.s. I was reading on that joelsjourney website (link somewhere above) that moving a baby from rear to forward just because they seem uncomfortable isn't always the solution. hmm, maybe she'll get used to being backwards. Hey, maybe it doesn't have anything to do with being uncomfortable, maybe she just wants to be close to you. My girl will scream sometimes when I put her in the carseat because she doesn't want to be out of my arms. I hear that is a phase (when a baby latches on to someone, usually the one who provides the most care) and babies grow out of it.

Maybe you could try one of those mirrors that can be set up so an adult can see the baby in the rear facing car seat and also the mirror can entertain the baby (if you get one that is colorful and stuff, the one we have has a monkey-I think- on it). Those shouldn't be an "obstruction."

Katherine - posted on 04/06/2010

Katie,

I asked the fire department to install the carseat and they won't!!! Argh, Here though, you can't have anything"obstructing your view" so that includes any blinds. Totally stupid. I'm not turning her around, so I have to figure something out :/

Amber - posted on 04/06/2010

Katie,



As long as you have the convertible, you may as well use it. She may be happier sitting up more than when she was in the bucket.



Also, since our babies are older, the rearfacing seats can be at a less reclined angle. For young babies without good neck control, rearfacing seats should be at a 45degree angle. Older babies can be at up to a 30 degree angle and still be safe.

Katie - posted on 04/06/2010

Amber, I'll have to check that out. We still use the snug ride (in the car our baby is least in) but have been feeling nervous about that. But I do think she is more leg then torso so maybe she is okay to still be in it. I'll check where her head falls when she is in it next.

Amber - posted on 04/06/2010

Actually, the car seat is outgrown once there is less than 1" of space between the top of their head and the top of the shell of the seat (not including the cover). Heights on carseats are just guidelines, as not everyone grows the same. Some babies are more leggy, some have longer torsos.

Katie - posted on 04/06/2010

I think the weight to turn forward facing is 22lbs in the U.S. AND the child has to be 1 year old. So the child needs to meet both qualifications before he/she can be turned to forward facing.

We had our fire department install our car seats (Katherine look into that where you live). Fire department said they really don't care what the limits are for rear and forward facing, they suggest keeping the child rear facing for as long as possible. I also heard that if everyone could sit rear facing in a car, we'd all be safer.

If child is too long for car seat, you might need a different car seat. We have a car seat that is strictly rear facing (Graco Snug Ride) but when a baby goes over 29 inches, they cannot stay in that seat. My daughter is 29 1/2 inches and 18 pounds so she is in a new car seat and is still rear facing.

Also, I find that she is more comfortable rear facing, doesn't get car sick. Maybe if your child, Katherine, screams the whole time, it could be because the sun gets in her eyes. Maybe you need one of those sun screens for both the side windows and the rear window.

Good luck to all!

Beth - posted on 04/05/2010

The law states you can flip them forward at 1 year as long as they weigh 20 lbs...I was so glad when my son turned 1 so i could turn him forward..he hated sitting backward and it's so much easier to put them in the carseat when it is forward!! Hope that helped!

Amber - posted on 04/05/2010

It's 500 times safer to be rearfacing at least until age 2 (and there are still benefits to rearface until age 4), especially since their heads are still so much bigger than their bodies (proportionally). Children are VERY flexible and actually are more comfortable rearfacing since they have some place to put their legs. Have you ever sat on a tall stool without and cross bars to rest your legs on? It's very annoying, right? After a while your legs tend to fall asleep, which is the same with a forward-facing young child.

Where do their legs go? Children either sit indian-style, straight legged, toss them off to the side, or a combination. It is NOT unsafe for their legs to touch the back of the seat.

If you were in a serious accident, which would you rather have happen? (possible) broken legs, or a broken neck? (and in fact, there have been no reports of rearfacing children having broken legs, but there have been forward-facing children with broken necks [internal decapitation]). Check out www.joelsjourney.org

Kim - posted on 04/05/2010

Your best bet is to check with your local Roads and Traffic Authority or equivilant. Here in Australia is different to other countries........

Maureen - posted on 04/05/2010

I was told the same thing but my little one looks like he is the size of a 2yr but is only 1. He out grew his infant carrier when he was 6 months so he was in a RFing seat for 5 months and he hated it adn fought me every time I put him in the car, so I gave in the last month and turned the seat around.

Katherine - posted on 04/05/2010

Oh no I am doing extended rear facing with her. My 4yo is extended harnessing, she's still 5 point.

Marina - posted on 04/05/2010

Its 20lbs and at least 29inches and I think its a US recommendation and it doesnt differ from state to state. My daughter weighs 19lbs 9oz and is 32 inches. The 2 year old recommendation is new and I didn't know about it until I went to the Dr. this past month. I wouldn't turn her around at 17lbs though regardless of how tall she was. She hit 29inches about 4 months ago but we've been waiting for her to put some weight on and to actually turn 1 yo.

Patrisha - posted on 04/05/2010

http://infant-toddler-health.suite101.co...



Its just recommended.. its not a law in the states.

Patrisha - posted on 04/05/2010

http://babyproducts.about.com/od/stateca...

Katherine - posted on 04/05/2010

Michigan 20lbs, I forget how many inches because I planned on doing ERF anyway.