My mother n law wants to take my child with her in a car seat, but she has it front facing, my child is 7 wks?

Question

Should I let her take him or make her change the car seat to rear facing?

Answer 1

You are very lucky to have a MIL to care so much. I live in Texas, I was a labor and Delivery R.N. and Director of a small OB ward for 15 yrs in Dallas. We were not allowed to even discharge an infant without a carseat rear facing backseat, completet instructions and reverse demonstration and understanding. During MVC the air bag can kill the infant in the front seat. I know you have received many answers, all great. The simple fact is politely tell her and demonstrate , safety and love are your main goals. She will be appreciative and receptive.  I am 43 and now,a grandmother and MIL, I am Paralyzed now and unable to take my grandchildren in the car, this is how I know she will be receptive, Good Luck

Answer 2

gently tell her its positioned wrong and show her how to position it correctly

make a joke of it that you yourself didnt know it was wrong until someone told you

you are lucky that you have a MIL who wants to babysit

Answer 3

It needs to be rearfacing.  My parents and my inlaws are NOT allowed to take DD in the car because they won't buckle her correctly or use the seat correctly.

Answer 4

make her change it!

Answer 5

THIS IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION.You are responsible for your child.I think you got most of the correct info.All I want to add is that whoever looks after the child should respect your wishes for everyones sake.Please ask and find out what is best and safest in any situation.A lot is good old common sense.Good luck from a father of 5.

Answer 6

REAR FACING in the BACK SEAT.....If her car does not have a back seat, make sure it does not have air bags!!  If it has air bags, make sure the one where the kid is is TURNED OFF.

Answer 7

Rear facing until 1 year AND 20 lbs, front facing til 40lbs, booster until 6 AND 60 lbs, but truthfully they can stay in it much longer because they can see out, most kids hate staring at the back of your seat or the bottom part of the door, so beyond the weight and age restrictions I'd also make sure they can sit comfortably on the seat with just the belt before you remove the booster, it's just a booster, so it's your car's seat belt that holds them in, so it's not a safety thing there.  Good luck, and if you need more details see your local sheriff or highway patrol, they are too happy to give you the correct info... and sometimes even have a program to help you get cheap or free carseats and boosters.  Make sure your Mother-In-Law understands and follows these laws, it's for the safety of your child.  Good luck.

Answer 8

she should change it..

Answer 9

OK , grandma may remember the way we did it before airbags and all cars had a full frame under them. So tell Grandma the new way to safely haul a baby. No harm or face lost

Answer 10

I had the same problem, I just used the baby carrier and buckled the baby in myself so that I know that my baby was save in the car

Answer 11

CHILD CAR SEAT RULES

1. BEFORE YOUR FIRST BIRTHDAY LESS THAN 20 POUNDS REAR-FACING INFANT-ONLY CAR SEAT OR CONVERTIBLE SEAT USED IN REAR-FACING POSITION, SECURED IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

2. 20–35 POUNDS CONVERTIBLE SEAT USED IN REAR-FACING POSITION, SECURED IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. LOOK FOR A CHILD SAFETY SEAT THAT IS RECOMMENDED FOR HEAVIER INFANTS.

3. WHEN YOU ARE 1, 2, 3, AND 4 20–40 POUNDS FACE FORWARD IN A CONVERTIBLE SEAT OR A FORWARD-FACING-ONLY SEAT OR HIGH-BACK BOOSTER/HARNESS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

4. WHEN YOU ARE 4, 5, 6, 7, OR 8 LESS THAN 4’9” (57 INCHES) TALL BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT (NO BACK) OR HIGH-BACK BELT-POSITIONING BOOSTER SEAT IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

5. WHEN YOU ARE 8, 9, 10, 11, OR 12 MORE THAN 4’9” (57 INCHES) TALL MAY USE AN ADULT SEATBELT, BUT MUST KEEP YOUR BACK AGAINST THE SEAT BACK, YOUR KNEES BENT OVER THE EDGE OF THE SEAT, AND YOUR FEET FLAT ON THE FLOOR IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR.

6. WHEN YOU ARE MORE THAN 12 YEARS OLD MORE THAN 4’9” (57 INCHES) TALL MAY SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR WITH AN ADULT SEATBELT.

Answer 12

Do not let your child go with her unless she switches him to facing the rear. This is the law in most states, and even if it is not the law in your state, you're the Mom, you decide what's best.  Do not put your baby in danger or let your mother-in-law do so; put your pretty little new mommy foot down!  and good luck :)