Car seat, RF and FF???

Question

I know the guidelines are 1 year AND 22 pounds before you can FF the car seat. Did anyone break that rule? My son is 11 months only and 80% hieght and weight. I want to turn that thing around!!!!!

Answer 1

Times fly by

just give it a month

Answer 2

Why do you want to turn it around?  It's safer for your child to be RF, and recent studies show staying RF as long as possible is most beneficial for your kid's safety.  While 1yo is the minimum in most states, the AAP and pretty much every other organization recommends they stay RF for as long as possible.

Answer 3

there is no requirement where I live to have a baby facing rear faced at all...so I guess just do what you feel is right, only you know your driving and your baby!

Answer 4

They actually just switched the law in my state to almost 35 lbs before turning them around.  It's been proven time and time again that babies are safer rear facing.  You really don't want to put your baby in danger just because you "want to turn that thing around", do you?

Think about it.

Answer 5

my daughters height was good, she was 11 months, she was 2 pounds less when i did forward facing...but the seat wouldnt fit properly rear facing in my car...it was not secured properly, so i had to do FF. i would wait if its just cause you want it to be turned around.

Answer 6

Who cares if anyone was careless enough to break that rule, it is not safe. Why would you risk that?

And 1 year and 20lbs is the minimum safety requirement, but it is definitely not the safest. Do you want minimum for your child? Keep your baby rear facing as long as the seat will hold. My son is 21 months and only about 27 lbs, he is still rear facing in his Britax Marathon, which holds rear-facing until 33 lbs.

"Rear-facing is the safest position the child can ride in.   It is strongly recommended that all children stay rear-facing beyond the minimum requirements of 1 year and 20 lbs. Children should not be turned forward-facing until they reach the maximum rear-facing limits of a convertible seat (that allows rear-facing to at least 30 lbs).  These limits are either the maximum rear-facing weight limit or when the top of their head is within one inch of the top of the seat shell, whichever comes first.  While most parents are aware that they must keep their children rear-facing "until they are AT LEAST 1 year old AND 20 lbs", very few are told that there are significant safety benefits when a child remains rear-facing as long as the seat allows.  For most children, rear-facing can and should continue well into the second year of life."

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/StayRea...

Answer 7

the longer a baby rear faces, the better.  it might be more fun to have baby facing forward, but it's not worth the risk.

http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html

if adults could drive rear facing, they should.

be sure to watch the video at http://babyproducts.about.com/od/carseat...

reply to yout edit: why would the seat fit rear facing on the side and forward facing in the middle?  usually it's the other way around.

btw, nobody has said anything rude or nasty to you.  people have simply told you the truth instead of what you want to hear.

Answer 8

I did break the rule.  Our daughter was miserable in the RF car seat.  She screamed whenever we went anywhere.  On her first b-day we turned her around and she was perfect!  She was lucky if she was 17 lbs.  We were told 20lbs and 1 year old.

Answer 9

You only have a month left. Why compromise your son's safety?

Answer 10

Get one of those car mirrors to put up on the back of the seat if you want to see his face. You put on the back of the actual seat in the car.  When you look in the rear view mirror you can look at that mirror and see him.  we've used our's from day one.  Plus it's great when they are screaming and you need to find the binky.  And my daughter LOVES to look at herself in it.  She talks and giggles at the "Pretty Baby" in the mirror!  It's worth the $15- you can find them at Walmart.

Answer 11

I know people who have switched the carseat at 9 months before the weight and height requirements were met.  I waited until my son met the weight and height requirements (right over 12 months) before turning it because those requirements are in place as a safety precaution.  Who would not want to do a little extra to keep their baby safe?

Answer 12

why?  if you were in an accident when he is FF, his little cervical spine couuld fracture and kill him.  will that convince you to slow down and keep him RF for as long as you can!  dont be selfish and reckless!