Comments on: When is it time to purchase a forward facing baby carseat?

By: Cloth on Bum, Breastmilk in Tum!

Cloth on Bum, Breastmilk in Tum! — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:58:36 +0000

The absolute MINIMUM for turning him forward is 12 months. But, the longer you place him rear-facing, the better. It’s the safest way for anyone to sit, even an adult. The reason it’s so vital for a young child to ride rear-facing is that their vertebrae do not fuse until nearly 24 months. Until then, their spine can stretch about 2″, whereas the spinal cord can only stretch about 1/2″. In an accident, the force on the child’s neck can cause the spinal cord to sever, resulting in death.

If he is too huge for an infant seat, you need to buy a convertible carseat. This type of seat can be positioned both ways, so he will be able to use it later to face-forward as well. These seats can also hold larger children (usually 30-35 lbs) rear-facing, and allow you to keep your child safer, longer.

We have an Evenflo Triumph Advance DLX, and we like it a lot. Britax also makes wonderful seats, but our Evenflo was much more affordable.

By: malwilhist

malwilhist — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:17:45 +0000

Here’s the deal–kids are more flexible than adults and sitting with crossed legs isn’t uncomfortable for them and won’t cramp them up. Rear facing is ALWAYS safest-even for adults. As that’s not practical when driving, we sit forward facing. Studies have publicized that there is really a higher rate of leg and hip breaks in kids facing forward than those with crossed legs in a rear facing position. Rear facing to 33 or 35 lbs if you can find a excellent seat. Then, forward facing in a 5 pt harness until 65 or 80 lbs if you can. I’d urge either the Britax Marathon or the Sunshine Kids Radian seats. Both of them hold kids rear facing until 33 or 35 lbs (depending on the seat) and forward facing to 65 or 80 (depending on the seat). Best investment you can make. You won’t want him in a booster at 30 lbs–he’d never survive a crash. I only recently learned this, but adult seatbelts only lock correctly 40 percent of the time and if it’s a rollover crash, they’re only effective in holding you in the car with a 20% opportunity. Certainly not a risk I would want to take with a child. If you have any questions, let me know!

EDIT: The reason why there’s an age and weight limit is because after 1 yr, his neck muscles are more stable than they are now. There is a space between vertebrae to allow for the baby to be delivered and that doesn’t start to fuse until nearly 1 yr of age and will become easily separated if you are in an accident–even 20 mph could be enough to kill him if forward facing. When he’s rear facing and you’re rear finished, the seat itself absorbs the force of the crash behind his head, as his head is already back. When forward facing, the head and neck snap forward. This leads to instant internal decapitation which there is no improving from. They’re subdue not fully developed, which is why most people will tell you rear facing to 35 lbs (which in some cases is age 3-5).

By: melody77

melody77 — Fri, 07 May 2010 11:31:48 +0000

Infant not more than one year ancient must never face forward. When he turns one, you can do that. That’s the best, for protection reason.

By: jlcy23

jlcy23 — Fri, 07 May 2010 10:43:57 +0000

The right time is when your child is 1 year ancient or 20 pound above.You can check with the carseat manual for the max weight allowed.

By: had2laugh01

had2laugh01 — Fri, 07 May 2010 10:15:04 +0000

All infants must always ride rear-facing until they are 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds.
Children 1 year of age and at least 20 pounds can ride forward-facing.
Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing car protection seats. Children must stay in a booster seat until the adult seat belts fit correctly (usually when a child reaches about 4′ 9″ in height and is between 8 and 12 years of age).
Children who have outgrown their booster seats must ride in a lap and shoulder belt; they must ride in the back seat until 13 years of age.

Personally, I would read the carseat manuel for the height, weight, and age restrictions. All carseats are different.

By: Heather Y

Heather Y — Fri, 07 May 2010 10:00:47 +0000

The kind of car seat you’ll be looking to buy is called a convertible car seat. This is the kind that can be installed either rear- or forward-facing. The MINIMUM for forward facing is 12 months ancient AND (NOT OR) 20lbs. Keep in mind that is just the minimum and it is really much safer to continue rear facing for as long as possible. Most convertible seats can really be installed rear facing for up to 30-35 lbs. Length is not a excellent enough reason to go forward facing. Basically you’re going to have to reckon about the lesser of two evils IF you were involved in a crash; rear facing with legs compressed may upshot in a broken leg, but forward facing may upshot in a broken neck.

Edit: I despise to argue with Ah Kbee because she’s basically right. But, while rear facing the shoulder straps must be not more than the shoulders, forward facing they must be above the shoulders. I’d encourage you to go back and review that section of your car seat manual. http://www.oldhamcountypolice.com/traffic/Infant_Seats.htm

By: PI_girl

PI_girl — Fri, 07 May 2010 09:05:54 +0000

Please do not listen to those saying to place him in a forward facing seat now! The requirements of 1 Year AND 20 lbs are there for his protection! A child below 20 lbs. could be thrown from a forward facing seat in the event of a crash. A child below the age of one could receive serious neck and back injuries in the even of a crash. Please place your son’s protection over his temporary comfort. After all, don’t we place our children in protection seats to care for them in the unlikely event of a crash?

By: earthmonkey

earthmonkey — Fri, 07 May 2010 08:55:52 +0000

get a convertible seat that can rear/forward install with 5 point harness from 5-80lbs. you must keep him backwards until 20 lbs AND 1 year ancient.

By: Ah Kbee

Ah Kbee — Fri, 07 May 2010 08:43:51 +0000

It is the law to wait until the baby is at least 1 year AND 20 lbs. But, it is best to remain rear facing as long as possible. If your son is subdue in an infant carrier, make sure the straps are not inserted not more than his shoulders into the car seat. The straps must always be above his shoulders. You might have to go onto a convertible car seat which is rear facing and forward facing. My son is nearly 8 months and already in one. We are going to keep him rear facing for over a year, as it is recommended to keep them rear facing as long as possible.

*Thanks for the correction, Heather. My manual doesn’t state that but I had another source that said to keep the straps above shoulder. I’ll research further into that.

By: ~Jess~

~*Jess*~ — Fri, 07 May 2010 08:10:42 +0000

I place my daughter in a forward facing at nearly 9 months. ya ya your suppose to wait till a year… but when my daughter couldnt stretch out her legs due to her being so tall I figured that was a excellent time to switch. I wouldnt want to be all cramped up like that. shes now over two and doing just fine, so no harm done.