Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

I've read lot about keeping DC rear facing in the car seat for as long as possible. Apparently, in Sweden, it is normal to stay rear facing until the child is 4 and they have very low mortality rates from accidents. Does anyone keep their child rear facing past 1 year?

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

The new recommendation by the AAP is 2 years or until your child reaches the maximum weight for your specific carseat for rear facing.

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

I feel that if your DC is not bothered by being rear facing, then go for it!

I wasn't that lucky, so mine were turned around at the 1 year mark.

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

my son is 17 months and still rear facing - i am going to try and go tot he seat maximum because he does not complain but we will see as he gets older - but he did sleep through a bad rear end collision last month because he was rear facing and not thrown forward like i was

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

DS is 14 months and still rear facing. He was too small to be forward facing at his 1 year appt (by 6oz). I'm going to keep him that way as long as possible - his seat is rear facing for up to 40 lbs (and he's a peanut).

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

DD1 is RF, 3years and counting. She is verbal and has told me she prefers "riding backwards". This is a statement I've heard from many parents of verbal/older ERF'ers

DD2 will RF to the limits of the seat as well.

My child's comfort/happiness is not as important as their safety/health. If I valued their comfort more than their lives, I'd let them stick forks in light sockets, play in the snow without boots/shoes or hats or mittens, walk across the street by themselves, eat cat food, drink cleaning supplies, use the toilet water for their bath toys........ the list goes on and on.

But, ultimately, I know that RF is 5 times safer than FF and that all those other things I listed above are not safe either.. . and I am responsible to make sure they stay safe and healthy, no matter how much of a fight they give me.

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

I did until almost 16 months...I wanted to try and keep here rearfacing until 2 but she was flipping out all the time so I finally turned her.

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

DS recently turned 2. The car seat in our main car is rear facing. If he sees both cars, he'll tell me he wants "that car seat" which is the FF one. But he never gives me a difficult time. So he'll stay RF until he reaches the height or weight limit.

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

2 years

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

4???? I cannot imagine a 4 year rear facing. That's crazy!

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

Posted by Hofstra26

4???? I cannot imagine a 4 year rear facing. That's crazy!

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

I turned them at 2, and that was because we got a new car.

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

Past 2 here
I kept her as long as the seat would allow.

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

Posted by Hofstra26

4???? I cannot imagine a 4 year rear facing. That's crazy!

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

Posted by tarabelle99

Posted by Hofstra26

4???? I cannot imagine a 4 year rear facing. That's crazy!

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/rfalbum.aspx

http://babyproducts.about.com/od/carseats/ig/Extended-Rear-Facing-Car-Seat/LS-ERF-1.htm

Message edited 2/24/2011 5:45:02 PM.

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

both my kids were RF until they were 1yo & 20lb. but they also both got car sick and cried every time they got in the car. once they were turned around they were happy campers.

though the APP made its new recommendations, it is still 100% legal to FF at 1y & 20 lbs.

do what you feel is best for your child.

and as a PP said, to each their own

Message edited 2/24/2011 6:09:15 PM.

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

My DD just had her well visit yesterday and the dr said we should keep her rear facing until she is 2

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

DS1 was turned FF around 18 months and I just turned DS2 FF around 17 months. They both became uncomfortable at that age.

How does a 3 or 4 year old stay RF? Arent their knees in their chest? I would imagine that could also be a safety concern, no?

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

The new recommedndation us RF until at least age 2. DD is 19 months and still RF.

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

Posted by Mommy2Boys

DS1 was turned FF around 18 months and I just turned DS2 FF around 17 months. They both became uncomfortable at that age.

How does a 3 or 4 year old stay RF? Arent their knees in their chest? I would imagine that could also be a safety concern, no?

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

I know the new recommendation is 2. DD will be 1 on Tuesday and she will remain rear facing. I have no intention to turn her until she is at least 2. She is very small for her age (17lbs 14ozs, 28 inches at 1 year) so I don't think it would be safe at all. I would rather her cry because she doesn't like facing the seat rather than die in an accident.

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

My DD is almost 22 months and is still rear-facing. Never complains. I plan to keep her that way as long as I can. Which reminds me...I have to turn the carseat in DH's car to rear-facing. It is currently FF b/c it is still set up from when DD#1 used to use it (she is over 4).

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

DD is 17 months almost 21 LBS and almost 30". We just turned her FF because we felt that her knees were starting to bend uncomfortably. Ughhh now after reading all of these posts I am soOo confused. What should I do ??? Leave her or turn her back around???

Re: Keeping DC Rear Facing in Car

DD is almost 17 months and still RF. I think she'd be more comfy FF, but I'm not turning her yet. She's a big kid too; over 31 inches and over 25 lbs :)