Front-Facing Before 1 Year?

BoomerMunchkin · October 2011

I know the rule is 22lbs and 1yr old.... but is there an extreme danger in making my lil guy's carseat front facing now? He meets the weight requirement, and our carseats are proving to be a pain in the butt to install rear-facing. Also, lil guy is pretty tall, so I think he'll be more comfortable with a lil leg room!

Anyone else put their kiddos front facing before 1yr?

Gidgetwho · October 2011

Nope. Probably not before two.

EarsToYou · October 2011

I'm going to be the "Goody-Two Shoes" here, but I really would not change him to front facing until AT LEAST a year. The law is 1 year 22 lbs, but the American Academy of Pediatrics actually recommends leaving them rear-facing until 2! In the event of an accident they're just so much safer rear-facing. And the leg room thing doesn't matter, their legs can be up the seat back as long as their head is still below the rim of the seat. They may be a pain to install rear facing, but isn't your son's safety worth it?

Cheekers2010 · October 2011

The recommendation is 2 years old now. I'm going to wait til then. I know it would be more comfortable for G to turn him forward facing but it's so much safer to stay rear facing. I pooh poohed it, too, but then someone posted safety studies on here (wish I had them bookmarked) and I was convinced.

1CINCYGIRL · October 2011

No, we didn't with DS and won't with DD. 9 months old is really early to have forward facing. DS was 22 lbs at 6 month check up- we had to get another carseat so he could stay rearfacing.

lilmgirl · October 2011

BoomerMunchkin:
I know the rule is 22lbs and 1yr old.... but is there an extreme danger in making my lil guy's carseat front facing now? He meets the weight requirement, and our carseats are proving to be a pain in the butt to install rear-facing. Also, lil guy is pretty tall, so I think he'll be more comfortable with a lil leg room!
Anyone else put their kiddos front facing before 1yr?

Actually we ditched our car seat altogether. I know you're *not* supposed to have a kid ride in the front seat until a certain age/size due to air bag deployment, but he's short enough where it'll just go over his head.

ETA*

chickaboo1974 · October 2011

no- my guys will be 1 in early November- they will NOT be forward facing for atleast 6 more months- minimum. I suggest you watch some crash tests and then evaluate if your "pains" and LO's"leg room" is more important than keeping your child rear facing longer.

[Deleted User] · October 2011

No way. I'm planning on going RF for as long as possible, up to 4 years. Kids don't have the neck strength to withstand a car crash very well FF at such a young age. If you want to look at the gruesome (and I DO MEAN gruesome) but serious problems, google internal decapitation. It isn't for the faint of heart. It makes me so mad when people make choices without either being informed or out of some odd inconvenience. It might be a pain in the asss to keep your LO in a RF position, but suck it up. Please.

TripMomma · October 2011

We wait until 2 yrs old to turn the kids. When they out grow their infant seats we go with convertibles that can still RF. The triplets are big kids, over 90th % for weight and height, it never bothered them to stay RFing. It is SO much safer, as they say I would rather my kid have a broken leg than a broken neck.

utlawgirl · October 2011

Nope. No way, no how. Rear-facing until 2 years old here.

BoomerMunchkin · October 2011

Alright ladies, that's enough of the bashing of me for asking a question. I actually asked my question because I care about my son, and trusted the moms on this board to give informed responses. I didn't expect to be bashed as a mom who is more concerned about convenience than her child's safety.

Thank you for those who gave me valid information without making me feel awful for asking in the process. I also appreciate those who did not feel the need to compare me to a mom who would give up a carseat altogether. If this board is supposed to be a place where moms can openly support each other and learn from each other, I don't think that I should be attacked for simply asking for more information. My new car seats aren't even in the car yet, so please feel better knowing the message was more than received, but the judging was not really appreciated.

And again, for all those of you who simply gave me a passionate opinion, I genuinely appreciate your information. Although I don't plan on subjecting myself to any gruesome videos, I can trust it's not worth the risk.

Smores730 · October 2011

I think it's illegal in some states to have them FF before 1 year. It's still unsafe at 1 year to turn them. There's plenty of crash test videos on youtube (not gruesome at all) to watch and really comprehend the differences. I was motivated to do more research after experiencing a loss that quite possibly could have been prevented with extended RF. I then kept my #1 RFing until 37 months. They cross their legs. Never once did she complain about it.

--halo-- · October 2011

BoomerMunchkin:
Alright ladies, that's enough of the bashing of me for asking a question. I actually asked my question because I care about my son, and trusted the moms on this board to give informed responses. I didn't expect to be bashed as a mom who is more concerned about convenience than her child's safety.
Thank you for those who gave me valid information without making me feel awful for asking in the process. I also appreciate those who did not feel the need to compare me to a mom who would give up a carseat altogether. If this board is supposed to be a place where moms can openly support each other and learn from each other, I don't think that I should be attacked for simply asking for more information. My new car seats aren't even in the car yet, so please feel better knowing the message was more than received, but the judging was not really appreciated.
And again, for all those of you who simply gave me a passionate opinion, I genuinely appreciate your information. Although I don't plan on subjecting myself to any gruesome videos, I can trust it's not worth the risk.

We have some sarcastic mamas here, always have, and I hope we always will. This is one of those questions that is asking for trouble because it's such a common knowledge topic now that if you seriously ask "is there an extreme danger in making my lil guy's carseat front facing now?" it reeks of trolling, so you're bound to get some flames. Because this is the internet and that's what you get here. No matter what your opinion is someone will disagree with you.

However, if you're seriously asking that question, then I think you got some very valid responses. The only fact I needed to make me convinced that LO will be rear facing as long as possible is this from the NY Times: The advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics is based primarily on a 2007University of Virginia study finding that children under 2 are 75 percent less likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries in a crash if they are facing the rear."

So yes, there is danger in making your son's carseat front facing. Your child is 75% more likely to DIE in a crash if he is front facing. No flaming, just fact.

Moonbeam828 · October 2011

I doubt we will wait til he's two+ to turn him around, but we will definitely be staying rear facing for a good while past his first birthday.

LovesMM · October 2011

BoomerMunchkin:
Alright ladies, that's enough of the bashing of me for asking a question. I actually asked my question because I care about my son, and trusted the moms on this board to give informed responses. I didn't expect to be bashed as a mom who is more concerned about convenience than her child's safety.
Thank you for those who gave me valid information without making me feel awful for asking in the process. I also appreciate those who did not feel the need to compare me to a mom who would give up a carseat altogether. If this board is supposed to be a place where moms can openly support each other and learn from each other, I don't think that I should be attacked for simply asking for more information. My new car seats aren't even in the car yet, so please feel better knowing the message was more than received, but the judging was not really appreciated.
And again, for all those of you who simply gave me a passionate opinion, I genuinely appreciate your information. Although I don't plan on subjecting myself to any gruesome videos, I can trust it's not worth the risk.

I didn't see any bashing. No one said, "OMG You're a fvcking idiot!!!!" That's bashing.

And the bolded is my favorite, Anyone has the bacon bra? The Bump is for entertainment first, information second. If you stick around long enough and actually post, you end up getting the support you are so hard up for.

SeussicalOne · October 2011

If your seats are hard to install RF-ing, I'd either take them to a tech and have them show you how to do it or return them and get ones that are easier to install. I know a lot of people don't want to spend money on Britax but part of the reason we went with them is because they're easy to install. I know there are some that aren't as pricey that are pretty easy to install, as well.Here is a site with a little more info on the Pros of keeping them rear-facing. Age 1 and 20 lbs is the law here but there are benefits to keeping them longerhttps://www.newparent.com/parenting-101-featured/top-5-myths-rearfacing/

lulu8109 · October 2011

BoomerMunchkin:

Alright ladies, that's enough of the bashing of me for asking a question. I actually asked my question because I care about my son, and trusted the moms on this board to give informed responses. I didn't expect to be bashed as a mom who is more concerned about convenience than her child's safety.

Thank you for those who gave me valid information without making me feel awful for asking in the process. I also appreciate those who did not feel the need to compare me to a mom who would give up a carseat altogether. If this board is supposed to be a place where moms can openly support each other and learn from each other, I don't think that I should be attacked for simply asking for more information. My new car seats aren't even in the car yet, so please feel better knowing the message was more than received, but the judging was not really appreciated.

And again, for all those of you who simply gave me a passionate opinion, I genuinely appreciate your information. Although I don't plan on subjecting myself to any gruesome videos, I can trust it's not worth the risk.

Seriously? Most of the responses were not that bad and hardly bashing. You stated you knew the rule of 1 year and 22 lbs, so I'm not quite sure what you expected when you asked if it was ok to RF before that.

Like many of the PPs pointed out, the new recommendation is not to RF til 2 years**. We are planning on waiting til DS is 2 to RF because the death/injury rate is way lower in an accident if LO is RFing.

**Edit: the new rec is to RF until 2 years & we plan on FF at 2 years

kat81again2 · October 2011

our guy is in the 25th percent for height and weight so we will not move to forward facing for a while. It's really safest to put it off as long as possible. I inherited a forward facing seat that can be used when he outgrows the infant seat and I do NOT want to buy a convertible in the meantime. So we will move to the forward facing seat once he grows out of the infant one. But he still has a little ways to go! His feet hang off the edge but the kid hasn't grown out until the HEAD pops over the top. Which I feel like is a while from now; certainly after one year!

My sister cheated and put her kids forward facing before one year. Looking back I don't see why because I think they were DS's size and could have stayed in the infant seat longer, but at the same time I knew it was really no big deal.

ETA: I just read through the responses. I don't think there was bashing. Just people who feel strongly about he safety issues. It really didn't seem personal, just an urge to get you to change your mind. And if anything it made me wonder if I should maybe keep DS RF longer than our infant seat will allow, even if it means buying a new seat. I guess we will wait and see how long it takes for him to grow out of it and then decide.

OhSewCrafty · October 2011

--halo--:
BoomerMunchkin:
Alright ladies, that's enough of the bashing of me for asking a question. I actually asked my question because I care about my son, and trusted the moms on this board to give informed responses. I didn't expect to be bashed as a mom who is more concerned about convenience than her child's safety.
Thank you for those who gave me valid information without making me feel awful for asking in the process. I also appreciate those who did not feel the need to compare me to a mom who would give up a carseat altogether. If this board is supposed to be a place where moms can openly support each other and learn from each other, I don't think that I should be attacked for simply asking for more information. My new car seats aren't even in the car yet, so please feel better knowing the message was more than received, but the judging was not really appreciated.
And again, for all those of you who simply gave me a passionate opinion, I genuinely appreciate your information. Although I don't plan on subjecting myself to any gruesome videos, I can trust it's not worth the risk.
We have some sarcastic mamas here, always have, and I hope we always will. This is one of those questions that is asking for trouble because it's such a common knowledge topic now that if you seriously ask "is there an extreme danger in making my lil guy's carseat front facing now?" it reeks of trolling, so you're bound to get some flames. Because this is the internet and that's what you get here. No matter what your opinion is someone will disagree with you.
However, if you're seriously asking that question, then I think you got some very valid responses. The only fact I needed to make me convinced that LO will be rear facing as long as possible is this from the NY Times: The advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics is based primarily on a 2007University of Virginia study finding that children under 2 are 75 percent less likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries in a crash if they are facing the rear."
So yes, there is danger in making your son's carseat front facing. Your child is 75% more likely to DIE in a crash if he is front facing. No flaming, just fact.

Amen, Halo!

OhSewCrafty · October 2011

BoomerMunchkin:
Alright ladies, that's enough of the bashing of me for asking a question. I actually asked my question because I care about my son, and trusted the moms on this board to give informed responses. I didn't expect to be bashed as a mom who is more concerned about convenience than her child's safety.
Thank you for those who gave me valid information without making me feel awful for asking in the process. I also appreciate those who did not feel the need to compare me to a mom who would give up a carseat altogether. If this board is supposed to be a place where moms can openly support each other and learn from each other, I don't think that I should be attacked for simply asking for more information. My new car seats aren't even in the car yet, so please feel better knowing the message was more than received, but the judging was not really appreciated.
And again, for all those of you who simply gave me a passionate opinion, I genuinely appreciate your information. Although I don't plan on subjecting myself to any gruesome videos, I can trust it's not worth the risk.

This IS a board for this and we've been doing that for each other for oh...about 19 months now. You'd know that if you came here and posted and not just jumped in randomly to ask a loaded question.

jessrenee11 · October 2011

Nope K will remain RF for at least 2 years. My DD will be more "comfortable" RF until 2 then dead FF before then. Sorry if you think we are being harsh but I judge parents that don't listen to laws and make poor parenting choices.

canthardlywait426 · October 2011

Zomg!! Why are you guys so mean to people?? She was just asking a question!! So what if she wants to put her kid FF because it's easier for her! It's only a matter of safety and logic! Sheesh!

lulu3061 · October 2011

I know you're asking this out of genuine naivety so I'll be nice with my answer. Here's how our pediatrician put it: "forward facing - casket, rear facing -cast it." Look up internal decapitation if you want to find out why you shouldn't turn him around yet. A couple of broken legs is way better than a broken neck, or worse.

lilmgirl · October 2011

--halo--:
BoomerMunchkin:
Alright ladies, that's enough of the bashing of me for asking a question. I actually asked my question because I care about my son, and trusted the moms on this board to give informed responses. I didn't expect to be bashed as a mom who is more concerned about convenience than her child's safety.
Thank you for those who gave me valid information without making me feel awful for asking in the process. I also appreciate those who did not feel the need to compare me to a mom who would give up a carseat altogether. If this board is supposed to be a place where moms can openly support each other and learn from each other, I don't think that I should be attacked for simply asking for more information. My new car seats aren't even in the car yet, so please feel better knowing the message was more than received, but the judging was not really appreciated.
And again, for all those of you who simply gave me a passionate opinion, I genuinely appreciate your information. Although I don't plan on subjecting myself to any gruesome videos, I can trust it's not worth the risk.
We have some sarcastic mamas here, always have, and I hope we always will. This is one of those questions that is asking for trouble because it's such a common knowledge topic now that if you seriously ask "is there an extreme danger in making my lil guy's carseat front facing now?" it reeks of trolling, so you're bound to get some flames. Because this is the internet and that's what you get here. No matter what your opinion is someone will disagree with you.
However, if you're seriously asking that question, then I think you got some very valid responses. The only fact I needed to make me convinced that LO will be rear facing as long as possible is this from the NY Times: The advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics is based primarily on a 2007University of Virginia study finding that children under 2 are 75 percent less likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries in a crash if they are facing the rear."
So yes, there is danger in making your son's carseat front facing. Your child is 75% more likely to DIE in a crash if he is front facing. No flaming, just fact.

I even have full disclosure in my sig! What was OP expecting from me? Smile

JulietL129 · October 2011

Law rides in the front seat, sans car seat now. That way he can steer while I update my facebook status.

LovesMM · October 2011

JulietL129:
Law rides in the front seat, sans car seat now. That way he can steer while I update my facebook status.

Win!

starb4long · October 2011

https://youtu.be/fKIeExpDLDA 

ETA: Excuse the language barrier, it was the best vid I could find.

Ugh, sorry no link.

JulietL129 · October 2011

mands629:
JulietL129:
Law rides in the front seat, sans car seat now. That way he can steer while I update my facebook status.

bahahaha! I'm surprised that you don't have Law driving yet. I mean, we started to teach Lulu how to drive around 6 months and she's been chauffeuring my a$$ around since 7 months. We're klassy like that.

We tried but he accidentally turned the wipers on and it just went to hell in a hand-basket. It's like he just can't pay attention to the simplest things like driving. We're going to discuss Ritalin at his 12 month appointment

bosha711 · October 2011

The latest guidelines are to keep RF till 2 yo, so that's what we will do. Better uncomfortable legs, or even a broken leg, than dead.

OhSewCrafty · October 2011

JulietL129:
Law rides in the front seat, sans car seat now. That way he can steer while I update my facebook status.

/dead

Good for you though. Texting while driving is a big no-no.

utlawgirl · October 2011

OhSewCrafty:
JulietL129:
Law rides in the front seat, sans car seat now. That way he can steer while I update my facebook status.
/dead
Good for you though. Texting while driving is a big no-no.

Yes, it's much better this way. Kudos to you for putting safety first!

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