Convertible Carseat...when to switch to forward facing?

gabbeyh · May 2009

My DH keeps saying he wants to turn around Eli's carseat the day he turns 1 since he is already over 20 lbs. My pedi said that he could be turned around then as well. I've read a few different places that it is best to keep them backwards for as long as the seat allows. I think we have the Britax Roundabout which might be 30 lbs, I'd have to get the book. When did you turn them around?

sapphire1398 · May 2009

I have heard when they turn one or when they hit 25 lbs. I am not sure which is the "best practice" though.

tina623 · May 2009

My pedi said 1 year AND 20 pounds but the American Association of Pediatrics recommends leaving DC facing the rear as long as you can and she said they are trying to change the law to 2 years old before you can legally turn it. That being said, I know ppl that have turned it once their child is over 20 pounds. I want to turn them around so bad but I may leave them rear facing until the feet hit the back of the seat.

JillRock96 · May 2009

It is definitely best to keep them rear-facing as long as you possibly can. ?I saw a really terrible video online a few months ago that really drove the point home -- they are much, much safer rear-facing. ?The specific seat should have weight limits for rear-facing (usually 30-35 pounds). ?As for height, there must be at least an inch of room between the top of the head and the top of the carseat.

mrsolsenk12 · May 2009

I agree about leaving them rear facing as long as possible. They are so much safer that way. As long as their feet are not hitting the seat and there is the room at the head then leave him that way. The seat absorbs much more of the impact in a crash protecting their little bodies.

efooey · May 2009

I just had some good links on extended rear facing. ?I think I still have your e-mail, I'll send them to you!

the AAP just changed their recommendation to keeping them rearfacing until they reach the rear weight capacity of the carseat. ?We have the britax boulevard and our weight limit is 35 lb's, the marathon is the same. ?I plan on leaving DD rear until then.

E?

alchris · May 2009

And another ditto for rear-facing as long as possible, *at least* 2 years and even longer if the seat allows it.

jodyplustwinsx2 · May 2009

My girls are still rear-facing and will remain that way until they hit the height or weight max for their seats. We also have the Roundabouts, the weight limit for rear-facing is 35 lbs. My girls are NOWHERE near that weight, that's for sure.

It is FAR safer to keep them rearfacing. It is a myth that you need to turn them once their feet hit the seat. There are zero confirmed cases of broken legs in children who were extended rearfacing in accidents, their legs just squish up, they don't break. And, even if their legs broke, I'd rather have babies with broken legs than broken necks.

As pp stated, the recommendation used to be age 1 AND 20 pounds, but it is now until they outgrow the height/weight limit on their seat, often around age 2.

skoorbnibor · May 2009

I will not be turning Ethan around til at least 2 . He can recover from broken legs but not from a broken neck or internal decapitation. In my opinion it is not worth the risk

crystalgirl · May 2009

skoorbnibor:
I will not be turning Ethan around til at least 2 . He can recover from broken legs but not from a broken neck or internal decapitation. In my opinion it is not worth the risk

Ditto this, exactly! Their heads are disproportionately large, so the decapitation risk is a serious one and not a risk I'm willing to take.

TripMomma · May 2009

The law in most places is 1 yr AND 20lbs. The rec has been changed to 2 yr and 30lbs. Our convertible seats stay RFing to 30 and we will be keeping them RFing until then. I am not going to risk their safety for my convenience...and I would rather have a broken leg over a broken neck!

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