tara73
carseat nerd
Member since 11/09 3669 total posts
Name:
Buttercup
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Re: When did you turn your DC forward facing in carseat?
DD will turn 3 in February and is still RF. She will remain RF until she exceeds the limits of her seats, which are 35 and 40 lbs respectively.
The reason for the new, longer recommendation of at LEAST 2 years has to do with the formation of baby's spinal column. The vertebrae (specifically C3-C6) do not finish ossifying until somewhere between 3-6 years of age. reference This, combined with a large head and crash forces, means babies/toddlers are more susceptible to broken necks (and a phenomenon known as "internal decapitation") than their older counterparts. Most of the recommendations you now see an age attached to is because of bone development. Weight is not as important as age, nor is height. This is why you see things like 8 years or 4'9" tall for boosters. An adult's iliac crest is fully ossified and developed, so a 4'8" adult's body will not suffer the same types of injuries as a 7 year old's would if a belt fits improperly.
All children go through a "fussy" stage in regards to car seats. As their primary caregivers, there are many things in life that we make decisions which are best for their safety that they may not like. My daughter may flip her lid because she REALLY wanted to play with the power outlets and stick her fingers in it, but I don't let her no matter how much she fusses or complains. We don't let them touch hot stoves, we don't leave them in a tub alone etc. We are responsible for their safety, whether they like it or not is irrelevant.
It's also important to remember that children are comfortable in positions that make us cringe. Watch them sit on the floor or sleep, they are often in positions which we, as adults, can't fathom. This is a testament to their flexibility. We think they're uncomfortable when we see them with bent legs in a car seat, but many older children who are verbal have actually asked to be turned back RF because FF causes their legs to fall asleep (no where to put them) and it's easier to nap RF. Legs are also more bendable than necks, the legs will bend in towards the body in a collision in a RF child. There has never been one reported instance of a broken leg in a RF child. In actuality, children are more likely to break their leg in a FF car seat from striking against the seat in front of them (ref: NHTSA CIREN database)
BUT even if there were a risk of broken legs from rear facing which would you rather? Broken leg? Cast it or Broken neck? Casket.
There is nothing wrong with keeping your children RF as long as you can. You will not stunt their growth. You will not stunt their development. They will be able to see out the window. They will be protected in a collision.
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Mere09
So Dam* Lucky
Member since 10/08 6368 total posts
Name:
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Re: When did you turn your DC forward facing in carseat?
DD is 16 months and she's still rear facing. We're shooting for 18 months... We're going on a 22+ hour car ride when she's 18 months old, so we'll probably turn her forward facing for comfort. We'll see if we switch her back to rear facing after that. Who knows....
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