Graduating from the Infant Car Seat..

Anjel_9@hotmail.com · October 2013

So baby girl is just about 20 pounds now, and her long legs (from her dad, sadly not from me) are dangling and pushed into the backseat of the car. We're ready to leave the infant car seat behind.

I know that it's recommended for babies to stay rear-facing until the age of 2, but I also know a few moms who just went right to front-facing at 20 pounds because they too had sweet babies who turned into little terrorists for car rides, and were much happier once they could face mommy and see what was going on.

I'd like to do this myself, but I'm worried about it being dangerous. What do you think? Any forward-facing folks in our age group?

jllmb79 · October 2013

My 2 year old is still a nightmare to drive with but her safety is more important. She is still rear facing in her Radian RXT (just got this seat). She is also almost 37 inches and 30 lbs. She never sat facing forward so she doesn't know what she is missing.

Keep her rear facing. Buy a seat that will last her.

nanabanana06 · October 2013

We RF till 3 or 4 in this house since it's the safest thing for them. For this reason the seats I use are Diono Radian RXT or r120 and a Clek Foonf. The Graco Headwise and Chicco Nextfit are also good choices, but they only have a 40lb limit and not a 45 or 50 like the ones I use.

MomIn2013 · October 2013

They need to stay rear-facing until age two at the very minimum. It has to do with the bones in their neck not being able to handle the forward whiplash motion in the event of a crash (google internal decapitation - scary). Someone put it best when they said what would you rather have in the event of a crash, a fatal injury or broken legs?

MrsWindyCity · October 2013

Most laws are 20 lbs AND 1 year old. We literally just FF DS1 yesterday at 3.5 years old. RFing is safer and I will do it as long as possible with DS2 also.

poppyc8 · October 2013

with the amount of drivers texting while driving that i see all day on the road in Los Angeles with no policeman ticketing them, I'm going to keep my LO rear facing for as long as possible. i just feel like drivers are getting more and more distracted with no one enforcing that it is against the law.

ASmallWonder · October 2013

What you're considering is illegal. Even if your state doesn't have a weight and age minimum, they WOULD have a proper use law and that means using your seat to exact specifications of the manufacturer. There is no forward facing seat on the market that allows for forward facing before 1 year of age (regardless of weight). Your concern about her legs isn't valid either. Quite the opposite, damage to legs is far more likely for a forward facer than a rear facer and dangling legs are often uncomfortable to kids. Rear facing to 2 is 532% safer than forward facing. I'd really suggest you join the FB group Car Seats for the Littles. It's filled with all the information you could ever want.

ebp913 · October 2013

Another thing to add to this is that you don't let your child run in the street even though they might think it's fun because you are the parent and you decide. This same thing applies to car seats. They are 532% safer rear facing so this shouldn't even be a choice. You as their mother make decisions about what is safe and what they can and cannot do. If my daughter thought rear facing sucked (she doesn't, she loves it and she gets to rest her feet on the seat which she adores) I would tell her tough cookies - you are my child and I choose what you can and cannot do and I will choose what is safe for you every time.

rdbanks · October 2013

Definitely keep your LO turned for as long as possible! My dad is an accident reconstructionist (basically investigates accidents and figures out what has happened) and sees way too many scary unnecessary baby injuries/deaths because parents did not educate themselves properly on car seat safety.

Also, keep those infant seats in the middle of your car if you can. There is a far less chance of serious injury if baby is seated in the middle. I have friends who complain about the baby/seat being too heavy for the middle which gets me feeling frustrated every time. I get that there are valid reasons why it's hard to have baby in the middle, but keep in mind, it remains the safest place for your tiny human. If you can't have them there, keep them on the right side (behind the passengers seat).

I'll shut up now:)

Anjel_9@hotmail.com · October 2013

Thanks everyone, rear-facing it is! I had no idea front-facing was so dangerous.

nanabanana06 · October 2013

rdbanks said:

Definitely keep your LO turned for as long as possible! My dad is an accident reconstructionist (basically investigates accidents and figures out what has happened) and sees way too many scary unnecessary baby injuries/deaths because parents did not educate themselves properly on car seat safety. Also, keep those infant seats in the middle of your car if you can. There is a far less chance of serious injury if baby is seated in the middle. I have friends who complain about the baby/seat being too heavy for the middle which gets me feeling frustrated every time. I get that there are valid reasons why it's hard to have baby in the middle, but keep in mind, it remains the safest place for your tiny human. If you can't have them there, keep them on the right side (behind the passengers seat). I'll shut up now:)

The correct answer is that the one least protected is in the middle. Which if you have a child FF or in a booster is the one that should be in the middle, not the baby. For me I cannot put a car seat in the middle since I have 2 car seats and a knee condition. So they are both outward bound. When I only had one she was behind the passenger seat since I cannot put pressure on my knees to get her into a middle seat.

Also, not all cars can have a car seat in the middle position. Always consult your drivers manuals for correct car seat installation.

rdbanks · October 2013

Right, I get that not all cars have the ability to put a car seat in the middle safely and snugly (my husbands car is one of them!), and I understand that there are always circumstances that prevent us from having our babies there-- which is why I said if you can. It the continues to be the safest place for your baby should you be in an accident--I cringe when the reason a par ent isn't putting them in the middle is out of convenience.

Not sure why PP said it's least protected. In the middle, baby's chance of injury are minimized by being seated in that position rather than either sides of the car.

rdbanks · October 2013

"The correct answer is that the one least protected is in the middle."

Re-read what you said...I misunderstood what you were saying! Got it now, ignore my last paragraph:)

ebp913 · October 2013

rdbanks said:

Right, I get that not all cars have the ability to put a car seat in the middle safely and snugly (my husbands car is one of them!), and I understand that there are always circumstances that prevent us from having our babies there-- which is why I said if you can. It the continues to be the safest place for your baby should you be in an accident--I cringe when the reason a par ent isn't putting them in the middle is out of convenience. Not sure why PP said it's least protected. In the middle, baby's chance of injury are minimized by being seated in that position rather than either sides of the car.

The thing about "convenience" is that things being convenient often means that parents use the seat correctly more often or every time. Using the seat correctly is more important than where it is located in the car. I am a very big advocate of extended rear facing and I am getting my CPST soon and I have both my kids outboard. I have my kids both outboard because I feel that over time, my husband and I are more likely to use the seat correctly every time when we have better access to it. I am very conscious about making sure it's right every time but my husband isn't always and in a rush, I don't want to not tighten enough so I choose to keep them outboard. Also sometimes other people take the kids out in our cars and I think they are much more likely to use the seat correctly outboard than in the middle despite me educating them. I know my mother in law isn't very strong and I don't think she would properly tighten the seat if it was in the middle. I think your statements are kind of short sighted. Purely parental discretion but I wanted to share why I chose to do it that way.

jamu · October 2013

I feel silly asking this- but why the passenger side? We had a car seat lady come install and inspect ours when I was pregnant and she put it on the driver's side. She said my car won't do it in the middle, and the driver's side was the next best thing. Was she mistaken?

rdbanks · October 2013

ebp913 said:

rdbanks said:

Right, I get that not all cars have the ability to put a car seat in the middle safely and snugly (my husbands car is one of them!), and I understand that there are always circumstances that prevent us from having our babies there-- which is why I said if you can. It the continues to be the safest place for your baby should you be in an accident--I cringe when the reason a par ent isn't putting them in the middle is out of convenience.

Not sure why PP said it's least protected. In the middle, baby's chance of injury are minimized by being seated in that position rather than either sides of the car.

The thing about "convenience" is that things being convenient often means that parents use the seat correctly more often or every time. Using the seat correctly is more important than where it is located in the car. I am a very big advocate of extended rear facing and I am getting my CPST soon and I have both my kids outboard. I have my kids both outboard because I feel that over time, my husband and I are more likely to use the seat correctly every time when we have better access to it. I am very conscious about making sure it's right every time but my husband isn't always and in a rush, I don't want to not tighten enough so I choose to keep them outboard. Also sometimes other people take the kids out in our cars and I think they are much more likely to use the seat correctly outboard than in the middle despite me educating them. I know my mother in law isn't very strong and I don't think she would properly tighten the seat if it was in the middle. I think your statements are kind of short
sighted. Purely parental discretion but I wanted to share why I chose to do it that way.

I definitely didn't mean to come off as short sighted or judgey ( I think I came off a bit judgey) I've just seen and heard too much through my dad's profession. I knew that what I wrote would be controversial, as I know how any people do not put their baby in the middle (for whatever reason; "good" or "bad"). But I still think it's important to know that it does remain the safest place. I should definitely have added "if done correctly":)

I agree that you should do it the way you know you're doing it correctly 100% of the time. That is certainly the most important thing, especially if you have other people taking your kids in/out if the car. Ultimately, they are your kids, your babies, and your decisions.

ebp913 · October 2013

rdbanks said:

rdbanks said:

Right, I get that not all cars have the ability to put a car seat in the middle safely and snugly (my husbands car is one of them!), and I understand that there are always circumstances that prevent us from having our babies there-- which is why I said if you can. It the continues to be the safest place for your baby should you be in an accident--I cringe when the reason a par ent isn't putting them in the middle is out of convenience. Not sure why PP said it's least protected. In the middle, baby's chance of injury are minimized by being seated in that position rather than either sides of the car.

The thing about "convenience" is that things being convenient often means that parents use the seat correctly more often or every time. Using the seat correctly is more important than where it is located in the car. I am a very big advocate of extended rear facing and I am getting my CPST soon and I have both my kids outboard. I have my kids both outboard because I feel that over time, my husband and I are more likely to use the seat correctly every time when we have better access to it. I am very conscious about making sure it's right every time but my husband isn't always and in a rush, I don't want to not tighten enough so I choose to keep them outboard. Also sometimes other people take the kids out in our cars and I think they are much more likely to use the seat correctly outboard than in the middle despite me educating them. I know my mother in law isn't very strong and I don't think she would properly tighten the seat if it was in the middle. I think your statements are kind of short sighted. Purely parental discretion but I wanted to share why I chose to do it that way.
I definitely didn't mean to come off as short sighted or judgey ( I think I came off a bit judgey) I've just seen and heard too much through my dad's profession. I knew that what I wrote would be controversial, as I know how any people do not put their baby in the middle (for whatever reason; "good" or "bad"). But I still think it's important to know that it does remain the safest place. I should definitely have added "if done correctly":) I agree that you should do it the way you know you're doing it correctly 100% of the time. That is certainly the most important thing, especially if you have other people taking your kids in/out if the car. Ultimately, they are your kids, your babies, and your decisions.

Totally. I gotcha!

rdbanks · October 2013

jamu said:
I feel silly asking this- but why the passenger side? We had a car seat lady come install and inspect ours when I was pregnant and she put it on the driver's side. She said my car won't do it in the middle, and the driver's side was the next best thing. Was she mistaken?

Not silly at all! Apparently, statistically both sides are nearly the same, but the passengers side is slightly less likely to be hit than the drivers. Also, it offers advantages such as if you have to pull over and take baby out on the side highway or road, it's safer.

In the end, I think as long as you're rear facing for as long as you can, you're doing the best thing for your LO:)

nanabanana06 · October 2013

rdbanks said:

Right, I get that not all cars have the ability to put a car seat in the middle safely and snugly (my husbands car is one of them!), and I understand that there are always circumstances that prevent us from having our babies there-- which is why I said if you can. It the continues to be the safest place for your baby should you be in an accident--I cringe when the reason a par ent isn't putting them in the middle is out of convenience. Not sure why PP said it's least protected. In the middle, baby's chance of injury are minimized by being seated in that position rather than either sides of the car.

Because a FF or boostered child in an accident are more likely to get a serious injury in an accident. RF and Infant seats were designed to take most of the force of accidents and reduce the chance of being ejected from the seat, ect. So, the rule is least protected kid gets the middle.

rdbanks · October 2013

Nana_Osaki06 said:

rdbanks said:

Right, I get that not all cars have the ability to put a car seat in the middle safely and snugly (my husbands car is one of them!), and I understand that there are always circumstances that prevent us from having our babies there-- which is why I said if you can. It the continues to be the safest place for your baby should you be in an accident--I cringe when the reason a par ent isn't putting them in the middle is out of convenience.

Not sure why PP said it's least protected. In the middle, baby's chance of injury are minimized by being seated in that position rather than either sides of the car.

Because a FF or boostered child in an accident are more likely to get a serious injury in an accident. RF and Infant seats were designed to take most of the force of accidents and reduce the chance of being ejected from the seat, ect. So, the rule is least protected kid gets the middle.

Yeah, it took me a re-read to see what you were saying. As a FTM with just one LO I always forget that many have more than one. And definitely, in the case of more than one kiddo, least protected gets most protected spot:)

rm2013 · October 2013

jamu said:
I feel silly asking this- but why the passenger side? We had a car seat lady come install and inspect ours when I was pregnant and she put it on the driver's side. She said my car won't do it in the middle, and the driver's side was the next best thing. Was she mistaken?

I've also been told that driver's side is the next best option if you can't do middle or have two kids and one is already in the middle. The reason given was that in a split second reaction to an impending accident the driver's reflex is to protect themself.

Who knew there were so many differences in opinion?

I also have a question on putting the least protected child in the middle - I have the Diono Radian RXT (which i saw a couple PPs mention they have) which I got because it's like the only convertible with a steel frame. Since that would make it more protective than your average convertible FF, Wouldn't it be ok to be on the outside?

nanabanana06 · October 2013

rm2013 said:

I feel silly asking this- but why the passenger side? We had a car seat lady come install and inspect ours when I was pregnant and she put it on the driver's side. She said my car won't do it in the middle, and the driver's side was the next best thing. Was she mistaken?
I've also been told that driver's side is the next best option if you can't do middle or have two kids and one is already in the middle. The reason given was that in a split second reaction to an impending accident the driver's reflex is to protect themself. Who knew there were so many differences in opinion? I also have a question on putting the least protected child in the middle - I have the Diono Radian RXT (which i saw a couple PPs mention they have) which I got because it's like the only convertible with a steel frame. Since that would make it more protective than your average convertible FF, Wouldn't it be ok to be on the outside?

No, because it has nothing to do with the seat and everything to do with getting the child hurt in an accident. However, I have both my seats in the outward positions. It's what works with my car best and for me. I think it would be fine. Though your child is far from FF anyways.

Oh and I did passenger side because I could see her if I needed to. My car has huge blind spots so I cannot put a mirror in.

rm2013 · October 2013

Nana_Osaki06 said:

rm2013 said:

I feel silly asking this- but why the passenger side? We had a car seat lady come install and inspect ours when I was pregnant and she put it on the driver's side. She said my car won't do it in the middle, and the driver's side was the next best thing. Was she mistaken?
I've also been told that driver's side is the next best option if you can't do middle or have two kids and one is already in the middle. The reason given was that in a split second reaction to an impending accident the driver's reflex is to protect themself. Who knew there were so many differences in opinion? I also have a question on putting the least protected child in the middle - I have the Diono Radian RXT (which i saw a couple PPs mention they have) which I got because it's like the only convertible with a steel frame. Since that would make it more protective than your average convertible FF, Wouldn't it be ok to be on the outside?

No, because it has nothing to do with the seat and everything to do with getting the child hurt in an accident. However, I have both my seats in the outward positions. It's what works with my car best and for me. I think it would be fine. Though your child is far from FF anyways.

Oh and I did passenger side because I could see her if I needed to. My car has huge blind spots so I cannot put a mirror in.

Thanks. Lol... yes no FF anytime soon. We went ahead and got the Diono because LO will move up to RF in it in the near future and we received them as gifts. Just was thinking ahead to when we give her a sibling, how we'd position them.

alake · October 2013

I have my youngest four rear facing (1 is still under 1)
My six year old, DD2 is rear facing upon her request in my van. At six I give the option to booster and she asked if she could rear face. I had a spare Foonf sitting in my garage and installed it for her.
DS is 2 and a half and a terror in the car, but he is still rear facing in an RXT. He will ride rear facing, bearing no major growth until four.
DD3 is nearly fourteen months. She is rear facing in a RXT. She is tiny. She still fits in her bucket seat, but I switched her. She is 19 pounds and 27 inches tall. She will fit forever in this seat.
DD4: She is 8 months (we adopted her as a newborn) she is rear facing in a combi cocoro. She is almost the same size as my DD3. She was nearly 3 pounds heavier than her at birth. When DD2 grows out of the foonf, it will go to DS and his RXT will be passed down to DD4.
I rear face to a minimum of four and harness until a minimum of six, at each point they are given the option to forward face and booster respectively.

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