- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Pre-School and Daycare
ArcticFox
member
Carseats & siblings
ArcticFox
member
To preface this - I very highly believe in RFing as long as possible. My 4 year old has always been large for her age, and we kept her RFing until 2.5. I have never believed in FFing "for fun" or "because they like to look out the window"/"watch mommy drive".
That being said - how do you have the carseats arranged in your car?
For us, in our Hyundai Santa Fe -
- 4 year old (42lbs) if FFing in her Britax Boulevard behind the driver's seat
- 18month old (26ish lbs) - RFing in her Britax Boulevard behind passenger seat - because the passenger seat can't go back all the way
That being said, my 18mo doesn't like the car, at all. She often cries til she throws up. Our last two trips that were over an hour, she threw up all over. I highly doubt it is motion sickness. She just writhes, rips at her shoes, screams, and gets so worked up she throws up (she'll throw up at home if she gets upset enough).
Anyway one of the times I was washing her vomit-covered carseat, I put her in big sister's FF seat (for a quick trip to the store). She LOVED it. I don't know if it was because it was FFing/more comfy/fun, or because it was her sister's seat.
I'm just wondering, we have a 4 hour ride coming up, I hate to even think I'd consider putting her FFIng, but the thought crossed my mind. So what is your setup and what are your thoughts?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Carseats & siblings
You can try switching positions. We put our older tot in the third row FF and so the twins are in the middle row RFing. Harm is great at engaging them and so they don't mind RFing. You can also try an early toddler music box to see if that might be calming or snacks.
Honestly I wouldn't be RFing if a new position can't be found. Having her so upset that she vomits to me wouldn't be worth it after she is past a year. I'm big on extending RFing when possible but you have to best weigh things and in your situation I wouldn't feel bad switching.
DD is 4 and in a Graco Nautilus. We turned her when she was 1.
DS is now FFing in a Boulevard. We turned him around 20 months I think. It was hell getting him in his carseat when he was RFing, and when we turned him he was fine.
We have DD1 FFing behind the passenger seat and DD2 RFing in the middle seat.
I remember DD1 used to scream and cry and protest her car seat, but when she was around 12 months we realized listening to nursery rhymes really helped keep her calm, and we kept her RFing until she was over 3. We haven't had any issues keeping DD2 RFing; I think it helps that she can see DD1 which keeps her entertained along with the kids' music of DD1's choice. (Right now we're still listening to Christmas with the Chipmunks!)
Can you move your younger DD2 to the middle so that she can be closer to your older DD? Have you tried different kids' music? Do you keep toys or books in the car for her? Can you plan your four-hour trip so that she can sleep for a good chunk of it?
With the new recommendations for RFing up to age 2, I'm even more hesitant to suggest turning her FFing, but the vomiting would probably send me over the edge too.
Both our boys are in a Graco Nautilus and have been forward facing since they were one. As soon as they hit one of the requirements listed on the car seat, we turn them around. DS#1 reached the weight limit for FF first. DS#2 reached the height limit for FF first. DS#1 is using the cars seatbelt. DS#2 is still in the harness cause he's not heavy enough. : )
They are both in the very back seat of the van (Mazda MPV). They keep each other entertained. It's pretty cute. They have their DVD's for long car trips which they love!
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO
Both of my boys are rear-facing. Would your FF child's seat install in the middle seat so that your younger child has someone to entertain her? Have you tried a portable DVD player to keep her occupied?
DD1 is FF behind the drivers seat. DD2 is RF behind the passenger seat.
DD2 has been FIGHTING the car seat like MAD lately. She's fine once she's in there, but there are days where it takes me a good 5-10 minutes just trying to get her pinned down and buckled in! However, if I put her in DD1's seat, she's as happy as can be.... in fact, DD1 actually loves sitting RF in DD2's seat, so sometimes if we need to get somewhere, they trade seats....
DD2 is almost 20 months and I'm thinking about switching her to FF now. I feel a little guilty, but I figure I've already done better then most people when it comes to extended RF, and DD2 is the size a 3 year old anyway and is almost ready to outgrow her seat RF in weight... so while I'm all for extended RF, I think in both our cases, it's ok to switch them at this point. That said, I've been taking it day-by-day...and each day I think "Ok, I'm switching her today" and then I decide to wait and see and maybe tomorrow...and she's still RF. LOL.
BFP 5/07 - Kylie born 2/08. BPF 2/09 - Alexandra born 10/09.
TTC since 8/13 - diagnosed difficulty conceiving due to LP defect. Took vitamin B and Vitex Berry to help lengthen.
BFP 2/14 - Missed M/C found at 8.5 weeks. D&C at 9w2d. Partial Molar Pregnancy.
BFP 11/14
My Pregnancy(ies) Blog
Bar tab = $156,000, Bus to Foxwoods = $0, Puking in the Stanley Cup = Priceless
We drive a VW Beetle. DD1 is FF behind the passenger, DD2 is recently FF behind the driver. Up until a few weeks ago DD1 was FF behind the driver and DD2 RF behind the passenger because if we had a RF seat behind the driver DH couldn't drive the car (and it's our only car). We turned DD2 around because getting her in and out in the 2 door was just getting too hard and starting to really hurt my back (she weighs 29 lbs, so wrestling her in was not easy). I wanted to keep her RF longer and would have in a 4 door, but am comfortable having her FF now since we only drive once or twice a week.
I sometimes feel like safety regulations exist in a vacuum and don't take into consideration other determining factors that definitely affect either overall family safety or the safety even of that particular child. If my child was getting so upset she was screaming to the point of vomiting RF I would definitely consider FF since the screaming and getting sick are certainly a distraction for the driver, which is a huge safety concern. We park on city streets so never know which side will be curbside and therefore feel it's safer to have the kids always be able to get out on the curb rather than RF longer (getting hit by a car is a more realistic threat in our situation) and I also feel like having my passenger very close to the airbag due to a large RF seat was better for DD but worse for whoever was in front of her and at 22 months that was part of what I considered in deciding to turn her.