Moving onto Convertible Car Seat

tothemoon2

My 32 weeker is now 14 months old and has just recently grown out of her Key Fit 30 Infant Car Seat as she is 30" long. She also just hit 20 lbs.

SO the question is, do I face her backwards or forwards in the convertible seat when I install it this weekend?

I think the recommendations for forward facing are..... a year old and 20 lbs (check and check).....but I've also heard to keep them backwards as long as possible.

What does "as long as possible" mean? When their feet hit the back of the seat or something?

Thoughts from other preemie Mama's? When did you make the switch?

KellyMichelle

Keep her backwards.  The safest way for a child to ride is rear-facing.  You can keep her backwards until she reaches the weight/height limit.  Her feet will hit the back of the seat long before she is ready to be turned.  I kept DS rearfacing until he was 3.  The AAP recommends RF until at least age 2. 

Here is one link, there are lots more - 

https://www.carsafety4kids.com/rearfacing.html

Sweets2005

I would keep her backwards.

I wish I could keep mine backwards longer but I don't know how that will work when the new baby is born and I would have 3 backward facing carseats....

albertabride06

We also had a 32 weeker, he is about 18.5 lbs and I think we are going to be putting him into a convertible seat once he hits 20lbs. He will be rear facing though and will continue to be rear facing until he outgrows the max rear facing weight and height limit for the convertible seat.

FutureMrsDenman

Ditto the PP about keeping it RF as long as possible.  DD is still RF at 28 months.  Of course she is short for her age, but she has never complained and her legs are fine.  a little bent and sometimes crossed, but definitely not scrunched up uncomfortable or anything.  She is well within the weight and height limits of our seat, so I'll continue to keep her that way until it is really and truly uncomfortable for her or she reaches the limits.

tothemoon2

Thanks for linking up the website KellyMichelle...great info!

We have the Britax Boulevard Click & Safe Child Car Seat. I'll be honest my Mom researched them for us as she LOVES doing that kind of stuff...but I haven't even taken it out of the box yet, much less read the book.

I did just look online and it says that you can go rear facing in this seat from 5lbs. - 35 lbs...which she is obviously no where near since she just hit 20 lbs.

Backwards it is....thanks ladies!

 

mek10976

Simon is almost 15 months, 32 in', and 25lbs. and still rear-facing.  We are going to try and keep him that way until he is 2, which is now the recommendation over the weight/height.  They also say convertible seats are safe for a baby of 5lbs, which I HIGHLY disagree with.  I think the requirements need to be stricter.