Let's talk about carseats (RF)

adamsbabble

Many of you have probably seen the new guidelines (from the AAP) that children should ride RF until age 2.  I have always been a big believer in extended RF, and had no plans of turning Charlotte (22 months) but now that we have 3 carseats we've had to turn her.  We have Ava and Charlotte on the driver and passenger side seats, and the infant seat in the middle.  They fit fine, but only with both convertbiles turned forward.  I have no idea why it makes a difference but it does.  I know that a proper fit is extremely important, however, I still have a hard time with the fact that she's forward facing, knowing that even if it's allowed by law it is still a minimum standard for safety--and who wants minimum?  She is still RF in every other vehicle and perfectly happy.  I don't really know why I'm posting other than to say that it bugs me that we've had to turn her, and it bugs me even more now that it's an actual guideline (if it were up to me, I'd leave her RF well beyond 2, until she reached the height/weight max).  So what to do?  What is more important?  Proper fit or RF?  And if it's now an actual guideline, what does one do if a carseat doesn't maintain proper fit when RF?  Any suggestions (outside of getting a new car, which we will be doing, but just can't at this moment--we'll be doing this when we have to put Lila in a convertible too).  It seems that circumstances beyond my control have forced me to turn her. 

Jessica&Brett

I would say proper fit is most important, because if it isn't installed correctly it won't be safe anyways.

If I were you, I would go to one of the car seat inspection locations, and see what they say!

www.seatcheck.org for locations

l.m.k.

I was going to suggest the same thing as PP - ask at one of the carseat check locations. And I'd think having all 3 seats fit across is most important.

Meg41208

I agree that the fit is important.  

In my certification classes, the instructors have talked about having to put the oldest child (in a booster) in the front seat because that was the safest way to get all the children secured in the car.  While it's not preferable, it's the best option.  While your situation isn't quite that extreme, short of you buying $800 worth of new car seats or a new vehicle, you've got to do what you've got to do.  

In a perfect world, all kids would ride RFing until they're 4 in the middle seat of the car.  In the real world, that's just not always possible.