Rear-facing Carseat Video

DeeandBrad

My DH is really wanting to turn our DD FF because she is 2 years old.  He feels like her legs are smooshed and plus he wants her to be able to watch movies.  A friend of mine sent this video to me regarding keeping kids rear-facing as long as possible to have DH watch.  It actually gave me goose-bumps.  This is not meant to start a debate just thought it was informative.  I have other family members nagging me to turn DD around too.  They don't seem to understand the dangers of FF so I am having them watch the video too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvyIv9QVRBE&feature=related 

 

ashnoelle

I think this is the best RF post I've seen. The image of the dummy snapping forward in a frontal crash should be enough for anyone to make the decision to RF until at least 2. 

adorebella

Ok, it makes sense to keep children rear-facing when it is a frontal crash. However, what about for rear-end crashes? Doesn't the neck-snapping argument apply then if someone runs into you from behind when the kid is rear-facing?

ashnoelle

rear-end crashes usually happen at lower speeds and I *think* happen less often. Someone posted a link earlier with all of the misconceptions and facts. From that car-seat website that is listed in this video actually. 

emiliemadison

adorebella:

Ok, it makes sense to keep children rear-facing when it is a frontal crash. However, what about for rear-end crashes? Doesn't the neck-snapping argument apply then if someone runs into you from behind when the kid is rear-facing?

No, that's not how it works. In a rear-end crash, the RF child's body would be moving in the same direction as the impact (car is being pushed towards the front of the car, child's body is moving towards the front of the car), which means that the head/neck/spine are still being protected by the RF seat. In a front/side impact crash, the car actually stops moving, or is pushed backwards, but the child is still moving in the direction that the car was originally traveling which is what causes the head/neck injuries.

Besides that, rear-end collisions are the least common, happen at the lowest speeds, and tend to cause the least amount of damage. So by virtue of all these facts, a RF child would be at *least* as protected as a FF child, but since they're more likely to be in and be injured severely by a forward or side impact collision, they're still safer RF.

DuckLover

No, because LO's head, neck, and back are cradled by the car seat regardless of where the crash happens.

 

saraosu11

In regards to being rear-ended - The link provided earlier showed that 90% of crashes are head on or from the side.