Rear Facing

Borst-Plotz · April 2011

I'm not writing this post to cause a debate, so let's not go there ;-) But who's keeping their kiddo rear-facing and for how long? Or if they are turned-when did you do it?

G is a car HATER. We're thinking about turning her around after she turns a year to see if that helps.

Just wanted to see what others plan to do. I'd love to keep her rear facing for as long as possible, but my sanity is wearing thin ;-)

bethbeth · April 2011

We held off until 18 months with M. Obviously little I is still rearfacing. Is she already in a convertible carseat? That helped a little when M was rearfacing in the convert. seat. He could see out more in it than in the infant seat. However, i'm thinking she's already out of the infant seat so that's no help

LittleBug1107 · April 2011

We switched Ava around 15-16 months & 22 lbs.. I mostly waited because she turned 1 in November and I didn't want her forward facing during the most dangerous driving season. Aubrey turned 1 in January and is still not 20 lbs so she is still rear-facing.. I will probably wait as long as possible with her..she's a tiny peanut and now I have a mini-van so there is plenty of room for her legs when she is rear-facing so I'd rather have her safer..

nickschick! · April 2011

I hope to RF to two. I didn't think Wes would make it until I got the van. Now he can see out and is normally happy in the car. He is used to the 20 min drive to and from daycare now. Too many times in and out of the car and he's MAD though. I try to plan for as few times in and out as I can.

His mirror helps too (Baby Einstein with sound and music).

eriness` · April 2011

We turned about 18 months, and 24ish lbs. We did so because we had a long trip and I have issues sitting in the backseat the whole time to entertain DS when he was RF. He didn't hate RF, but he likes FF so much more. He liked RF in his convertible way better than the infant bucket.

I have to say that it has been so much more fun with him FF. Especially since he can talk more and we can see each other, car time is more of conversation time.

Jennrs · April 2011

Neena will be rear facing until at least 2, maybe longer. She doesn't mind being rear facing and she's tiny.

mz-n-ss · April 2011

We turned him around 15 months. Jackson loves being FF as it allowed him to see so much more.

KMPeiffer2 · April 2011

We turned G around 18 months. He didn't really act different. It meant Mommy didn't have to ride in the backseat anymore. We would have had to turn him before C came - DH wouldn't have been able to drive with a rear facing seat behind even in my behemoth vehicle.

Brooke7748 · April 2011

Wow, do I feel like the bad mommy

We switched K around 12 months. He used to be ok being in the car but once he hit about 10 months he refused. We switched to ff at one and he's been quite content ever since. With next child though, we'll probably try to rf for as long as it's tolerable.

kspies · April 2011

Planning on two, but I'll be satisfied to make it to 18 months depending on how big B is then. She is above average size right now but her genes suggest she'll be a peanut by the time she hits 1. I know it isn't right, but I'm so looking forward to FF because our cars are tiny.

Temp257387375002530 · April 2011

Brooke7748:
Wow, do I feel like the bad mommy We switched K around 12 months. He used to be ok being in the car but once he hit about 10 months he refused. We switched to ff at one and he's been quite content ever since. With next child though, we'll probably try to rf for as long as it's tolerable.

We switched M at 12 months. Her legs were so scrunched and she had already hit the weight requirement. I was hoping for longer but she is a lot more comfortable. I know that we could cross her legs.

ss+el · April 2011

We made it to 22mos. I had to put a second seat in the back one day and the only way two would fit was to put them FF on the sides. After I took the second seat back out, I never got around to RF his again. My first goal was to make it through the winter after his 1st birthday, for the reasons LittleBug listed, and when that went smoothly I planned to make it to 24mos. I'm satisfied with my 22mos.

Did you ever end up getting a mirror? I think that really helped Nicholas not feel alone back there.

Victoria6F · April 2011

I'm having her stay RF until she tells me she wants to switch! LOL It took my sister and I a half an hour in the snow/rain, to get that sucker in there, it's staying that way until she's about 20/26mths. I drive a Jeep, which if you've ever paid attention to them, the butt end is up a little higher, so (at least what I tell myself) she can see out the back window more. NOW! We'll be taking a 5.5/6hr trip in a few weeks, so we'll see how she does that way.

Borst-Plotz · April 2011

We have her in a convertible car seat, she has a mirror, sippy, snacks and even a DVD player! But she's still rarely happy. We have a 4hr drive 2 weeks after her birthday for a wedding so I'm thinking we'll FF her for that ride and see how it goes.

I hate to FF her so soon, but I don't know how much more I can take of the screaming in the car ;-)

shea77 · April 2011

if i'm not mistaken the new laws say they should stay rear facing until 2.

shea77 · April 2011

http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/babies/on-the-way/carseat-safety-for-babies.html?gclid=CPm4leGVpqgCFc2DpAodYQxlHA

The "12 months and 20 pounds" rule that many parents cite when turning their child forward-facing in the car is actually the minimum size and age requirement for that change. New recommendations suggest that children remain rear-facing to age 2.

mrseggs · April 2011

KalaDec8:

Brooke7748:
Wow, do I feel like the bad mommy We switched K around 12 months. He used to be ok being in the car but once he hit about 10 months he refused. We switched to ff at one and he's been quite content ever since. With next child though, we'll probably try to rf for as long as it's tolerable.

We switched M at 12 months. Her legs were so scrunched and she had already hit the weight requirement. I was hoping for longer but she is a lot more comfortable. I know that we could cross her legs.

Same here. Sign me up for mother of the year.

brookemaha · April 2011

I'll do it as long as I can! Hopefully make it to 2. I am such a paranoid freak when it comes to things like this especially when there was an accident in our family years ago that pertains o this. I am so looking forward to having him FF but like I said I am paranoid, I still have the mesh bumpers up in his crib!

Mrs_JR · April 2011

I think Maya was about 15-16 months when I turned her. I will keep Cam RF at least through next winter, so at least 18 months.

sydlc88 · April 2011

C started hating the rear facing arrangement at 9-10 months. We switched him to FF on his 1 yr birthday. He hit the weight limit at 6 months and seemed so uncomfortable, RF. :-( I would never have been able to keep him RF until 2.

sweetpea18 · April 2011

Reese was about 18 months. I wanted to keep her rf longer, but she outgrew the height limit for rf. Gianna is a peanut, isn't she? I would make sure she meets the weight limit before turning her. I just turned up the radio so I didn't have to listen to the whining! Mom of the year, right here! Lol!

grbnik · April 2011

sweetpea18:
Reese was about 18 months. I wanted to keep her rf longer, but she outgrew the height limit for rf. Gianna is a peanut, isn't she? I would make sure she meets the weight limit before turning her. I just turned up the radio so I didn't have to listen to the whining! Mom of the year, right here! Lol!

That cracks me up!!! Good to know we all have those days..... Stick out tongue

laceymb · April 2011

I think we made it to about 18 months for all my girls. FWIW I think my child is safer FF than RF because when they are RF and screaming because they hate it, I am a much more stressed out and distracted driver making the chances of an accident much higher. FF is safe when done properly and though RF may be safer I'm okay with my decision.

Victoria6F · April 2011

laceymb:
I think we made it to about 18 months for all my girls. FWIW I think my child is safer FF than RF because when they are RF and screaming because they hate it, I am a much more stressed out and distracted driver making the chances of an accident much higher. FF is safe when done properly and though RF may be safer I'm okay with my decision.

THIS

You have to do what you have to do. Every parent is different. If you think G is going to like FF better and can meet half the guidelines, then do it. No one is going to judge you or think less. You're G's mom, you can't be distracted while driving, if FF will help her like the car, then go for it! and if there is no change, it doesn't hurt to switch her back?

Mrs.Reem · April 2011

We just moved Katen to FF a few months ago. She was almost 3 but tiny.

Ana is HUGE and is a squashed up back there but she's still RF. I'd like to make it to at least 18mos with Ana, and will leave her RF until she really puts up a stink. Usually her favorite music calms her down but she's not a car fan either. Wrestling her into her seat requires outside training. lol!

All-His · April 2011

Victoria6F:

laceymb:
I think we made it to about 18 months for all my girls. FWIW I think my child is safer FF than RF because when they are RF and screaming because they hate it, I am a much more stressed out and distracted driver making the chances of an accident much higher. FF is safe when done properly and though RF may be safer I'm okay with my decision.

THIS

You have to do what you have to do. Every parent is different. If you think G is going to like FF better and can meet half the guidelines, then do it. No one is going to judge you or think less. You're G's mom, you can't be distracted while driving, if FF will help her like the car, then go for it! and if there is no change, it doesn't hurt to switch her back?

Just checking, but you meant 1/2 the guidelines in terms of 1/2 way to 2, right? (turning at age 1)? Not 1/2 in terms of only make the age and not the weight requirement? B/c waiting until 20 lbs isn't a guideline, it is the Iowa law. We had to wait until well past 12 months for Gretta b/c she stall out at 18 lbs for quite some time. Ingrid will be 20 lbs most likely at 1, but we'll try to keep her RF as long as it is safer to do so. Safer in the sense that I completely agree w/ Lacey. Ingrid is not a fan at all of the car and I spend so much time trying to reach around and hand her another toy that I'm not so sure she wouldn't be better off FF... Although, when a child is still very discontent w/ toys, mirrors, dvd player, etc. they might just not like the car period?

Victoria6F · April 2011

All-His:
Victoria6F:

laceymb:
I think we made it to about 18 months for all my girls. FWIW I think my child is safer FF than RF because when they are RF and screaming because they hate it, I am a much more stressed out and distracted driver making the chances of an accident much higher. FF is safe when done properly and though RF may be safer I'm okay with my decision.

THIS

You have to do what you have to do. Every parent is different. If you think G is going to like FF better and can meet half the guidelines, then do it. No one is going to judge you or think less. You're G's mom, you can't be distracted while driving, if FF will help her like the car, then go for it! and if there is no change, it doesn't hurt to switch her back?

Just checking, but you meant 1/2 the guidelines in terms of 1/2 way to 2, right? (turning at age 1)? Not 1/2 in terms of only make the age and not the weight requirement? B/c waiting until 20 lbs isn't a guideline, it is the Iowa law. We had to wait until well past 12 months for Gretta b/c she stall out at 18 lbs for quite some time. Ingrid will be 20 lbs most likely at 1, but we'll try to keep her RF as long as it is safer to do so. Safer in the sense that I completely agree w/ Lacey. Ingrid is not a fan at all of the car and I spend so much time trying to reach around and hand her another toy that I'm not so sure she wouldn't be better off FF... Although, when a child is still very discontent w/ toys, mirrors, dvd player, etc. they might just not like the car period?

Since I didn't say it correctly, yes, at least G meats the weight guidelines/law.

Thank you for making me feel stupid

All-His · April 2011

Victoria6F:
All-His:
Victoria6F:

laceymb:
I think we made it to about 18 months for all my girls. FWIW I think my child is safer FF than RF because when they are RF and screaming because they hate it, I am a much more stressed out and distracted driver making the chances of an accident much higher. FF is safe when done properly and though RF may be safer I'm okay with my decision.

THIS

You have to do what you have to do. Every parent is different. If you think G is going to like FF better and can meet half the guidelines, then do it. No one is going to judge you or think less. You're G's mom, you can't be distracted while driving, if FF will help her like the car, then go for it! and if there is no change, it doesn't hurt to switch her back?

Just checking, but you meant 1/2 the guidelines in terms of 1/2 way to 2, right? (turning at age 1)? Not 1/2 in terms of only make the age and not the weight requirement? B/c waiting until 20 lbs isn't a guideline, it is the Iowa law. We had to wait until well past 12 months for Gretta b/c she stall out at 18 lbs for quite some time. Ingrid will be 20 lbs most likely at 1, but we'll try to keep her RF as long as it is safer to do so. Safer in the sense that I completely agree w/ Lacey. Ingrid is not a fan at all of the car and I spend so much time trying to reach around and hand her another toy that I'm not so sure she wouldn't be better off FF... Although, when a child is still very discontent w/ toys, mirrors, dvd player, etc. they might just not like the car period?

Since I didn't say it correctly, yes, at least G meats the weight guidelines/law.

Thank you for making me feel stupid

wow. sorry, i really didn't mean to make you feel stupid. I was just making sure b/c I figured other people might read it the same way I did, which to me said that if G can meet 1/2 the guidelines (either weight or age), then it is up to the parent if it is better to switch, which isn't the case. I assumed you didn't mean this, but wanted to be sure so that no one got the wrong idea. Heck, I am the last person to judge on many parenting decisions, and I wasn't trying to be mean to you. I think that sometimes things just don't come out right on the internet.

Mrs.Reem · April 2011

In All-His's defense, I didn't understand what you meant either hon. I thought to myself, "no you have to meet both requirements." She was just clarifying. No need to feel stupid. Things are always much clearer in my head than they are when I type them out. lol!

Jennrs · April 2011

Mrs.Reem:
In All-His's defense, I didn't understand what you meant either hon. I thought to myself, "no you have to meet both requirements." She was just clarifying. No need to feel stupid. Things are always much clearer in my head than they are when I type them out. lol!

This is me. Sometimes I read the stuff I typed and I confuse myself.

KMPeiffer2 · April 2011

To clarify one of the PP's, the new recommendations are pediatrician recommended. It is not law. The local police officer will not be ticketing anyone that turns their child meeting the age/weight requirements. Someday maybe but I suspect that will take years before it would become law....

Rear Facing

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