Let's Talk About Car Seat Mirrors

jessa1228

So I know that car seat mirrors are generally not recommended for use because they can become a projectile in an accident and they can be a distraction. People who use them anyway say that as long as the mirror is shatterproof with a soft (i.e. not plastic) frame and installed at an angle that would prevent it from hitting the baby if it fell, they are fine and no more of a distraction than the radio. Plus, it's much easier to glance in a mirror than to turn around/climb into the back seat or pull over and get out.

I'm really on the fence about this. I feel like both arguments are valid. So far every time DS has been in the car, both H and I have been there too so H has driven while I've sat in the back seat. This week will be the first time I'm driving alone with DS and the thought of not being able to see him while driving has me a little freaked out.

What do you think?

mander82

We have one too. It's soft.

jess123456

We have the Britax one and love it. It fully snaps onto the back of the seat and is secure.

Curlyfries851

I have one and it's soft. I love it. I do a lot if highway driving in rural areas so pulling off to check on LO is a pain in the arse...the mirror calms my fears for sure.

crizz13

I have an hour commute and LO will be with me since her daycare will be near work. I have a compulsive need to be able to see her when I'm driving.

That being said, yes, I have a mirror - the Britax one.

TeeJ526

I have a Britax one as well. It's fastened pretty well so I'm not worried about it. I could see viewpoint of it possibly being a distraction, but I find not being able to see back there to be more of a distraction. The benefits outweigh the risks in my opinion.

gldnbearz

Moms who use mirrors - is your child in the middle seat or on the side seats?

Curlyfries851

@gldnbearz My babe is on the side opposite of me

TeeJ526

Mine is in the middle.

jessa1228

Ok good. I'm glad to know that so many of you guys use them.

Those that have the Britax one - it seems like you need to have an adjustable headrest to be able to fasten it. I have a 2013 Nissan Rogue and I'm 99% sure the headrests are attached. Will it not work for me then?

howin23

We don't have one, partly because of the projectile risk and partly because I just haven't gotten around to it. I do think my reaching back to feel her face and make sure she's okay is far more distracting than a mirror would be though...

sparklingwhit

I have one attached on the far side of the center seat angled to see the car seat. It would be really hard for it to hit Cam in the event of an accident. It gives me peace of mind while driving to be able to see him occasionally.

Jatpa003

We have the brica one and it is very secure. I really enjoy having it when I have to drive on my own.

Lilwatz

We have one and LO is in the middle.  I love being able to see her.

minibean16

jessa1228 said:

Ok good. I'm glad to know that so many of you guys use them.

Those that have the Britax one - it seems like you need to have an adjustable headrest to be able to fasten it. I have a 2013 Nissan Rogue and I'm 99% sure the headrests are attached. Will it not work for me then?

Car twins!! And it is impossible to angle it to see her face. Her hat looks good though ...

AbbeyH

minibean16 said:

jessa1228 said:

Ok good. I'm glad to know that so many of you guys use them.

Those that have the Britax one - it seems like you need to have an adjustable headrest to be able to fasten it. I have a 2013 Nissan Rogue and I'm 99% sure the headrests are attached. Will it not work for me then?

Car twins!! And it is impossible to angle it to see her face. Her hat looks good though ...

I have a rogue as well and we were able to rig one up to work using Velcro and a large elastic band. (Sounds terrible but you can't tell at all). I'll try to remember to take a picture tomorrow. It works really well for us.

carafern

I guess this is an UO but we don't have one and I don't think we'll get one. 

When we had our carseat checked by the highway patrol they told me it was a bad idea for the projectile risk. Car accidents are pretty common and although there may be ways to reduce the projectile risk by placing the mirror in certain places and the mirrors might be shatter proof or soft…accidents are unpredictable and I couldn't live with myself if it did her any harm.

Also I don't drive that much so maybe that makes it easier for me to not have a mirror. I might have to reassess if I was in the car with her for a long time every day.

minibean16

AbbeyH said:

minibean16 said:

jessa1228 said:

Ok good. I'm glad to know that so many of you guys use them.

Those that have the Britax one - it seems like you need to have an adjustable headrest to be able to fasten it. I have a 2013 Nissan Rogue and I'm 99% sure the headrests are attached. Will it not work for me then?

Car twins!! And it is impossible to angle it to see her face. Her hat looks good though ...

I have a rogue as well and we were able to rig one up to work using Velcro and a large elastic band. (Sounds terrible but you can't tell at all). I'll try to remember to take a picture tomorrow. It works really well for us.

Please do! I spent a long time today trying to attach it. It works if I sit in the backseat and hold it, but that makes it hard to drive!