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New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
someone at work told me that "they"
just passed a new law that children have to ride backwards for 2 years? Did anyone hear of this or know anything about it?
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Posted 6/15/09 10:11 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Annie91606
Brotherly love
Member since 12/07 1816 total posts
Name:
Anne
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
I did hear something about this. I think they have to stay rear-facing until the reach the height/weight restrictions.
So, DS is still rear facing now at 16 months, because he weighs 30 lbs. The seat (Britax marathon) says he can be rear facing up to 33 pounds.
HTH! I want him to stay rear facing as long as possible since I believe it is safer.
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| Posted 6/15/09 10:27 PM |
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KateDevine
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Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
Not a law.
The AAP came out with new recommendations about a month ago. This was one of them.
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| Posted 6/15/09 10:27 PM |
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
My son is 16 months and if he had to sit backwards, he'd be eating his knees -
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| Posted 6/15/09 10:29 PM |
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EmmaNick
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Member since 12/06 16001 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
Posted by nora101004
My son is 16 months and if he had to sit backwards, he'd be eating his knees -
As long as they don't exceed the seat maximum, bent knees aren't a safety issues.
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| Posted 6/15/09 10:31 PM |
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DmarieK
My loves!!
Member since 1/06 9203 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
Posted by Annie91606
I did hear something about this. I think they have to stay rear-facing until the reach the height/weight restrictions.
So, DS is still rear facing now at 16 months, because he weighs 30 lbs. The seat (Britax marathon) says he can be rear facing up to 33 pounds.
HTH! I want him to stay rear facing as long as possible since I believe it is safer.
Rylan is still rear facing at almost 15 months. I don't plan on switching him any time soon. I didn't realize there was a weight limit for rear facing. Thanks...i'll have to check what the Boulevard limit is.
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| Posted 6/15/09 10:31 PM |
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Kierasmom
I love my kids
Member since 5/05 2885 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
That's surprising because when I took DS to the doctor a week ago for his year check up they specifically said to me he should be forward facing now because he's almost 22 pounds. They didn't say anything at all about the new recommendation.
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| Posted 6/15/09 11:29 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
They can't just pass a law without a long break-in period anyway. There never has been a law about rear-facing ages, just recommendations from several agencies. Very few carseats can handle DC rear-facing until age 2 anyway. Many of the weight limits are below what a 2yo would weigh. It's very important to not exceed the limits of the seat.
If there ever was an actual law, it would have to be passed today, with a 6 year or so implementation date, so carseat manufacturers could get the products on the market, and eliminate the older models through attrition.
The American Academy of Pediatrics hasn't changed their guidelines yet. It's still 1 year and 20 lbs, so if they haven't changed the guidelines, it's going to be a long time before anyone even thinks about making a law to increase the limits.
http://www.aap.org/family/Carseatguide.htm
Infants Infant seats and rear-facing convertible seats All infants should always ride rear-facing until they are at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds.
Toddlers/Preschoolers Convertible seats It is best to ride rear-facing as long as possible. Children 1 year of age and at least 20 pounds can ride forward-facing.
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| Posted 6/16/09 7:40 AM |
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08BabySurprise
My Life. My Everything.
Member since 10/07 9151 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
Posted by DmarieK
Posted by Annie91606
I did hear something about this. I think they have to stay rear-facing until the reach the height/weight restrictions.
So, DS is still rear facing now at 16 months, because he weighs 30 lbs. The seat (Britax marathon) says he can be rear facing up to 33 pounds.
HTH! I want him to stay rear facing as long as possible since I believe it is safer.
Rylan is still rear facing at almost 15 months. I don't plan on switching him any time soon. I didn't realize there was a weight limit for rear facing. Thanks...i'll have to check what the Boulevard limit is.
Wow I didn't know there was a weight limit to rear facing. I just looked and the Evenflo Triumph says "rear facing weight limit to 35 lbs and forward facing weight limit to 50 llbs."
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| Posted 6/16/09 10:58 AM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9534 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
Posted by GoldenRod
They can't just pass a law without a long break-in period anyway. There never has been a law about rear-facing ages, just recommendations from several agencies. Very few carseats can handle DC rear-facing until age 2 anyway. Many of the weight limits are below what a 2yo would weigh. It's very important to not exceed the limits of the seat.
If there ever was an actual law, it would have to be passed today, with a 6 year or so implementation date, so carseat manufacturers could get the products on the market, and eliminate the older models through attrition.
The American Academy of Pediatrics hasn't changed their guidelines yet. It's still 1 year and 20 lbs, so if they haven't changed the guidelines, it's going to be a long time before anyone even thinks about making a law to increase the limits.
http://www.aap.org/family/Carseatguide.htm
Infants Infant seats and rear-facing convertible seats All infants should always ride rear-facing until they are at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds.
Toddlers/Preschoolers Convertible seats It is best to ride rear-facing as long as possible. Children 1 year of age and at least 20 pounds can ride forward-facing.
They may not have updated the website, but according to the article quoted in this post the guidelines most certainly have changed.
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| Posted 6/16/09 9:38 PM |
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
Guidelines are different then laws.
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| Posted 6/16/09 10:08 PM |
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KateDevine
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Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
I actually posted this on another thread today, but I thought of THIS one, but I was at the DMV today and the NHTSA says 1 and 20lbs to be forward facing..
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| Posted 6/16/09 10:15 PM |
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wannabemom
look who's freshly baked!
Member since 12/07 7364 total posts
Name:
aka marriedinportjeff
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
Posted by Kierasmom
That's surprising because when I took DS to the doctor a week ago for his year check up they specifically said to me he should be forward facing now because he's almost 22 pounds. They didn't say anything at all about the new recommendation.
I've noticed from posts on this board that many Dr's offices aren't completely up with new recommendations... with carseats, age for starting foods, other topics.... while in some cases, it can be presumed that they decided to not adopt them (such as when to start solids), other times (such as the carseat rec's) it's more obvious that they're simply not informed.
In the end it's always up to the parents... we tend to err on the side of caution and follow the later age rec for things... so we'll keep him rear facing past 1 year (he's already over 20 lbs!)
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| Posted 6/16/09 10:21 PM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9534 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
Posted by wannabemom
Posted by Kierasmom
That's surprising because when I took DS to the doctor a week ago for his year check up they specifically said to me he should be forward facing now because he's almost 22 pounds. They didn't say anything at all about the new recommendation.
I've noticed from posts on this board that many Dr's offices aren't completely up with new recommendations... with carseats, age for starting foods, other topics.... while in some cases, it can be presumed that they decided to not adopt them (such as when to start solids), other times (such as the carseat rec's) it's more obvious that they're simply not informed.
In the end it's always up to the parents... we tend to err on the side of caution and follow the later age rec for things... so we'll keep him rear facing past 1 year (he's already over 20 lbs!)
I totally agree with this. When DD saw the ped for her 18 month check-up the ped didn't know the AAP changed the whole milk/2% guideline in April. She loves when I come in b/c I always tell her something new - and then she goes and confirms or refutes it, and lets me know at the next visit.
As for the car seat issue - DD is 23 lbs and 18 months and still rear-facing. Her legs are not bent and her seat goes up to 30 lbs rear facing. I see no reason to make a change at this point. In September when the annual carseat safetly installation event happens I'll move the seat so it can once again be professionally installed.
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| Posted 6/16/09 10:26 PM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
Based on the length of my DD now at 9 months I can't fathom her having to stay rear facing until 2 years old........it will be amazing as it is to see her last until age 1!!! She will be squished up into an uncomfortable ball if we had to go to 2 years old.
As an aside though, how can it become a law when even now the rear facing height/age #'s are just recommendations. I don't believe it's an actual "law" that they need to be rear facing until a certain age and weight......that is just what is recommended. Correct me if I'm wrong. 
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| Posted 6/16/09 10:31 PM |
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ckone
LIF Adult
Member since 8/06 3014 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
DH told me about this but I think it's just in legislation right now not a law. He thought that it was until they were four years old.
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| Posted 6/16/09 10:39 PM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
Name:
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
Posted by ckone
DH told me about this but I think it's just in legislation right now not a law. He thought that it was until they were four years old.
How on earth could a 4 year old face backwards?? I'm all for safety but as I would like to sit comfortably in the car I am sure my DD would too! There is NO way a 4 year old would ever be able to fit rear facing. That would be nuts!! I'm sorry but I'd probably have to break the law for the sake of my DD's legs that would be crawling up the back seat and fold over into my trunk!! 
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| Posted 6/16/09 10:42 PM |
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clwp
Love my girls!
Member since 10/06 2114 total posts
Name:
mommy
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Re: New Car Seat Law - Backwards for 2 years?
We switched DD at 12 months to forward facing. Honestly, she is much happier this way... she was miserable in her Marathon seat when it was rear facing and the sun was in her eyes and her feet were up on the back of the backseat. She is about 22 pounds an 29.5 inches at this point. Even if they made it a law - I wouldn't switch her back to rear facing. How about making it a law not to blow stop signs (there are 3 on the block adjacent to mine that Nassau county could reduce our taxes and still make a killing on if only they'd put a cop there)- oh wait, if you do that you just go to traffic court and they'll lower the summons to not wearing a seat belt or some nonsense like that. Sorry - I digress!
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| Posted 6/16/09 10:48 PM |
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