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Turning DS1's carseat FF, advice?

ToastieSimonsToastieSimons member
in Special Needs

DS1 is 2yr 9mo (ticker is wrong) and his carseat is still rearfacing.  I'm struggling more and more to get him in the carseat.  He is all leg like me and with his hypertonia he has no ability to sit cross legged.  I've tried showing him how but even not in the carseat his hip adductors are just very tight and that position is next to impossible.

He also has trouble flexing his feet so they're very pointed and it's seeming more and more difficult for him to find a place for his legs and knees and he spends a good deal of the time wiggling and thrashing.  It's to the point he's wiggling so hard that the straps are loosening. I have no idea how, but I put him in nice and tight and when I check him they're a big loose.  Also, he's pushing off the seat so hard the latch continues to loosen.

Does this mean it's time to turn him around?  I'm perpetually struggling with the guilt of knowing how much safer RF is and that he is nowhere near the limits of his carseat. 

To my boys:  I will love you for you Not for what you have done or what you will become I will love you for you I will give you the love The love that you never knew
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Re: Turning DS1's carseat FF, advice?

  • Assembly_ReqdAssembly_Reqd member

    Turn him.

    Don't let "Bump Guilt" get to you. It is created by women who have nothing else to worry about.

    I think it is better that he is comfortable and not squirming around and loosening his straps. That is dangerous. 

    WAY 2 Cool 4 School


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  • malcivarmalcivar member
    Totally agree with Assembly... Turn him.  Don't let Bump guilt get to you.  People are going to judge no matter what. We turned Chris when he was just over 1.  He was completely and utterly miserable rear facing.  He was alert eno
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  • MainelyFoolishMainelyFoolish member

    He's well past the official recommendation of 2 years rear-facing. I would turn him around without a second thought.

    Don't get hung up on the car seat weight limits; almost no kid is going to fit in a car seat until they hit the weight limit, eit

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  • kcisthebombdotcomkcisthebombdotcom member

    imageSpooko:
    I don't think you'd even get bump guilt for this. You gave it a very good run and exceeded AAP guidelines by quite a b
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  • lite-brightlite-bright member

    I would turn him without another thought. Seriously, great job for keeping him RFing for so long, but it sounds like it's definitely time. 


      

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    DD1, 1/5/2008 ~~~ DD2, 3/17/2010
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  • JustinloveJustinlove member
    I am a huge believer in ERF, but there is a time to FF and you are there!  Turn that kid around!
    My Craft Blog: Sew Girly Studio
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  • thefuturemrskudlathefuturemrskudla member
    Does he meet the weight required by your seat to be forward facing?
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  • MaxandRubyMaxandRuby member

    I agree with the others. Turn him around.

    You ERF for well over the recommended 2yr mark. He (as you know) is physically uncomfortable.  You are having trouble getting him in the car in a RF position.  He is able to loosen the straps wi

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  • kar5162kar5162 member
    I would turn him around. I don't think "comfort" is a good reason to turn a child when you're talking about wants to look out the window (mine at least have always managed to see just fine out the window RF) or sitting cross legged for a typical child - t
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  • ToastieSimonsToastieSimons member

    Thanks ladies!!! 

    And yes, he's about 27-28 lbs so above the weight limit for FF. I really had hoped to make it a few more months but it just doesn't seem like we will. 

    To my boys:  I will love you for you Not for what you have done or what you will become I will love you for you I will give you the love The love that you never knew
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  • gimmietimmiesgimmietimmies member

    Check the height limit for ff too, that does have a high minimum on some seats. Would you mind if you posted for help on Car Seats for the Littles? There are a few special needs CPSTs that can help with any concerns you have. They've been very helpful

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  • ToastieSimonsToastieSimons member
    imagegimmietimmies:

    Check the height limit for ff too, that does have a high minimum on some seats. Would you mind if you posted fo

    To my boys:  I will love you for you Not for what you have done or what you will become I will love you for you I will give you the love The love that you never knew
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  • d.fd.f member

    I'd turn him.  Good job making it so long RF.  it sounds like it will actually be safer FF where he can't loosen the seat and straps.  

    My DS out grew the height limit on our seat just before he turned two.  We turned him inst

    DS 09/2008

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  • smiling76smiling76 member
    imageAssembly_Reqd:

    Turn him.

    Don't let "Bump Guilt" get to you. It is created by women who have nothing else to worry


    My new "mom" blog: http://realityofamommy.blogspot.com

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  • mommytoconnormommytoconnor member
    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children stay rear facing until 2 yrs old, if possible.  After that, it is fine to forward face them.  I would say at your sons age I would turn him forward. He will probably be more comfortable
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