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XP: Help w/forward car seat installation please!

jade0514jade0514
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months

DS is at the point where he doesn't look comfortable in his seat with it rear facing. His feet are pressed against the back seat and his knees have to be bent. Everytime I put him in it for the past few weeks he whines the whole time. I'm thinking it's because he's uncomfortable.

I just bought a new car with side airbags so I'm now moving him to the middle and going forward facing. I'm so confused by the installation directions though. I'm not seeing the tether anchor hook in my car. Do I have to use the tether strap if I use the LATCH system?

Thanks :o)

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Re: XP: Help w/forward car seat installation please!

  • ebb7ebb7

    You really should try and keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible. I'm sure someone will post the links and YouTube videos that support rear-facing.

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  • jade0514jade0514
    I believe I did keep him rear facing as long as possible.
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  • jen5-03jen5-03 member

    " Do I have to use the tether strap if I use the LATCH system?"

    Probably. Depends on what seat you have and what the manual says. If it says to tether, then not tethering is not an option and you'll need to get a different seat.

    But I agree with pp, he should still be RFing. If you have a wreck bad enough to give you whiplash, his head could separate from his spine. Side airbags will not help him (facing either direction) because the sides of his carseat will be between him and the airbags.

    Here's a whole album of kids RFing - includinga bunch of 3yo and 4yos. 
    https://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum.aspx

    More info, including the videos: https://community.thenest.com/cs/ks/user/page.aspx?username=grchic

     

     

     

    - Jena
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  • ilovemygirlsilovemygirls member
    You go right on mama & turn him if you want to!!  As long as he's old enough & weighs enough, you're fine.   If you are unsure of exactly how to install & you have the directions, I'd schedule an appt. with a carseat technician at your local police/fire dept.  Sounds like you're wanting to do this in the safest possible way & I think that is definitely with someone who has training in this area!  Good luck....
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  • Mc_NewlywedMc_Newlywed member

    Having his knees bent doesn't necessarily mean that it's time to turn him around. ?What is the height/weight limit on your current seat? ?The police at my local car seat inspection place said that it's less about their legs and more about their head. When their head reaches the top of the seat (rear facing) then it's time to turn it around. ?For example, my daughter was very close to the height limit in her seat but the inspection place told me that she can easily stay in the seat safely for another 2 inches because her height appears to be all in her legs. ?

    Sorry, not trying to be preachy about the rear facing vs. forward facing debate. ?Just trying to give a little more insight than those who simply said "it's safer to be rear facing". ?

    Anyway... ?all that being said, we turned my daughter around too. I would say that you should check the car seat manual or the manufacturer to see if it needs to be tethered or not. ?I know that ours does but am not sure if every seat is the same way. ?If you don't have a latch at the top, could you just use the seatbelts instead? ?


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  • MrsDR1015MrsDR1015
    The best advice I can give is to take the seat to your local car seat installation center (police/fire dept) and ask for their assistance...
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