Thoughts about rearfacing

RondackHiker

DS is still rearfacing in a diono radian. He's got nine pounds and a lot of inches to go so he could, in theory, go another year rearfacing.

However, with new LO on the way, I'm not sure that will work. Either his or the infant seat would fit behind my seat while I drive, but dh puts his seat much further back, so we're looking at DS forward facing behind the driver and LO behind the passenger seat.

It occurred to me, however, that as I get bigger it will be harder to squeeze in to buckle DS rearfacing. Thinking well ahead, would you flip DS to forward facing once it gets hard to buckle?

An alternative is to see if the Graco 32 fits in the middle beside the radian. We've medium sized sedans (prius and vibe, though the car seats are in the vibe 99% of the time).

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RondackHiker

Thanks! We'll play with the installs this coming weekend. I know it's early, but I have been stressed about this.

Our cars allow installation in the center with the belt. I'll likely have both seats installed with belts... I think I've heard that can allow you to get the seats closer to one another/the door? I may be wrong.

I did get a booster and two britax convertibles across the backseat of my vibe (all forward facing) when a friend had a breakdown with her three kids in the car. It wasn't easy to get them in there, but it was better than three kids on the side of the road beside a smoking car in a bad part of the city, so I feel like I should be able to find a safe way to install the Graco and the radian....

My concern is more the Graco 32. If I'm remembering right it's a fairly hefty seat. I need to pick it up from my parent's house this weekend.

Helenahhandbasket

I would also turn.  We're hanging on to RF until DD is 2, but I am thinking we will turn her just after that.

 

insertclevername

If you are set on keeping him rear facing make sure you discuss it with a certified car seat safety technician when you go to install both seats.  I am assuming that there is a safe way to do it since people have kids much closer in age and have an infant and convertible rear facing.  If it were me, I would probably just put him forward facing.

shibby00

I'd turn him.

LoveActually4

I had to turn DS1 when Ds2 was born, he was 2. We have a van and the carseats are in the captains chairs. When both seats were RF, no one could access the 3rd row seating and my SKs had to climb through the trunk.

thetheisens

I am having this same problem. C will be a little over two when the new baby is here. My husband is hugely tall and there is no possible way any car seat will fit behind him rear facing in the car and I also have an eleven year old who has to fit in the back seat. C's car seat is rear facing in the middle of the back seat now. We are hopefully buying a large vehicle with third row before the new baby comes and I can stop stressing out about it. Your ds is over 3, so I think I would be more comfortable turning him front facing at that age. We are going to go to the next car seat install clinic they have here and see what they think the best option is in our current car just in case the new car doesn't happen. I understand the stress of the situation!

ASmallWonder

I'd take it day by day for now and if you need to switch him due to your physical limitations or because of fit when the new baby comes, I wouldn't lose sleep over it.  You've made it past 3 so that's already awesome

acaudill75

Out of curiosity, what is the added benefit of keeping them RF past 2-3 years anyway? I understand the theory is to keep them RF until two, but has the recommendation changed?

acaudill75

HilarityEnsued said:

acaudill75 said:

Out of curiosity, what is the added benefit of keeping them RF past 2-3 years anyway? I understand the theory is to keep them RF until two, but has the recommendation changed?

Lots of science about the hardening of skeletal structures and whatnot.  It's much safer to RF but I have read that the benefit drops dramatically after 3 years old.  Some people are much more gung-ho about it and keep going well past that. 

If that's the case, I would turn him when it gets too difficult to get him in and out as you get farther along.