Rear facing to forward facing carseats

courtneyaok

Michigan law says the child has to be at least 1.  I know that longer is better . . . so I'm thinking maybe we'll turn them around by 1 1/2, unless their legs get too long.

When are you planning on turning your LO around in their carseat? Right at a year? Later? How much later?

katiekate1974

I'll turn him when he outgrows the RF weight on his car seat--which is 45 lbs. So, at his current rate of weight gain, he'll be like 15.

carlab44

We're hoping to make it to  at least two, which is what the AAP now recommends (unless he outgrows his seat which is unlikely). You shouldn't have to worry about their legs getting too long. Many people have 3-4 year olds rear facing. They just cross their legs - which only looks uncomfortable to us.  

ALittleBirdy

THe new recommendation is to keep them rear facing until 2 years, so as long as he fits that way I plan to.

jend062505

I plan to at a year.  I did with DD #1 and will with #2. 

NY-allie

Our convertible has a minimum FF weight of 22 lbs.  DS won't be 22 lbs at a year unless he has a huge growth spurt.  We'll probably end up waiting until about 18 months.  We don't want to wait too much longer then that since we plan on trying for number 2 in August and we can't fit 2 rear facing seats in the car.

grinsandgiggles

As long as possible (hopefully until he reaches the weight limit RFing).  Even if he's crossing his legs....legs can be fixed - a  broken neck can't.

RF Crash Test:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K62Ea8Fs4ng

FF Crash Test:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMFPSStXfqE

 

katiekate1974

jend062505:

I plan to at a year.  I did with DD #1 and will with #2. 

Have you seen this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRP7ynNI8mI

If you have and are still planning to turn her, well, then I give you a
If you haven't, please watch it before making a decision.

This is just one of many.

katiekate1974

grinsandgiggles:

As long as possible (hopefully until he reaches the weight limit RFing).  Even if he's crossing his legs....legs can be fixed - a  broken neck can't.

RF Crash Test:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K62Ea8Fs4ng

FF Crash Test:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMFPSStXfqE

 

As usual. Great minds

emiliemadison

It's recommended to keep kids RF until age 2 or until they outgrow the RF limits of their car seats. There are MANY seats on the market now that will allow average sized children to RF until well past age 2. The length of a child's legs has nothing to do with outgrowing their RF seat. It's perfectly safe and comfortable for kids to have their legs touching the seat.

My DD RF until about 27 months. At that time, there were fewer options out there for extended RF seats, so she outgrew the height limit of her seat at that age. DS is 27 months now and still RF and will remain that way for quite a while. He has LOTS of room before he outgrows the height limit in his seat and he's nowhere near the weight limit. In fact, my 4.5 year old can still fit by height in both our current seats. She's right at the cusp of the weigh limit for RF in DS's seat (35 lbs) but her seat has a 40 lb RF limit so she'd easily still fit there. 

mfransdell

As long as it will hold her RF weight wise she will RF.

sunnyday016

Our seat RF until 40lbs. or 40in. I'm guessing she'll reach the height limit first, which if I look at growth charts for kids, assuming she stays on the same percentile, she'll be about 4 years old.

~Soleil~

We have the Britax Boulevard. He will be RF until he reaches the weight limit.

eml569

We have a Sunshine Kids Radian XTSL - RF to 45 lbs. J will RF until he hits the limit. With all the recent (last few years) crash test results and new recommendations, it's just plain irresponsible to turn your child at a year. 

mrs.k 07

until he's 35lbs which is the rear facing limit.

MeghanF13

katiekate1974:

I'll turn him when he outgrows the RF weight on his car seat--which is 45 lbs. So, at his current rate of weight gain, he'll be like 15.

this.

GypsyEsq

As long as she meet the RF weight limit.  There is no good safety-based reason to turn her until she reaches the RF limit.  There are many safety-based reasons to keep her RFing.

JillShari

Most seats also have a height limit for RF as well as weight.  My DS#1 RF til 2.5 years old and could have much longer since he was short and a lightweight.  This DS is taller, but still a lightweight, so I got a higherback seat to try to keep him RF as long as possible.

Megan.10.06

Until he reaches the weight limit.  He'll be 8 months tomorrow, and he's already 22 pounds.  The weight limit is 35, so whenever that is. 

christina627

RF until reach the limits of seat...at least 2.

courtneyaok

I didn't realize it was recc'd until 2.  Ours can rear face until 35 lbs., so I guess we'll wait until they're that weight to turn them around.  I don't think they'll make it until 2 though -- DD is already 23 1/2 lbs.

BitterOldHag

katiekate1974:

I'll turn him when he outgrows the RF weight on his car seat--which is 45 lbs. So, at his current rate of weight gain, he'll be like 15.

I'm with KK on this. RF till they get their own licenses. LOL.

deeanneharris

mfransdell:

As long as it will hold her RF weight wise she will RF.

Same here. At the rate my DD is going, this will be awhile too, which is fine with me.

grinsandgiggles

courtneyaok:

I didn't realize it was recc'd until 2.  Ours can rear face until 35 lbs., so I guess we'll wait until they're that weight to turn them around.  I don't think they'll make it until 2 though -- DD is already 23 1/2 lbs.

They slow down A LOT once they start walking.  They'll probably be 3-4 before they hit 35lbs.