Diaper Swappers

kanga1622 · 08-21-2012, 05:07 AM

I don't post pics of DS but he is still rear facing at almost 30 months, 32 pounds, and 36 inches. Honestly, in his CA his feet didn't reach the seat back until a few months ago. Now he sits with them touching the back of the seat with his legs as far apart as possible. I know he will throw his legs over the sides when they get a lite bigger.

Since he's never been FF, he doesn't know any different and does not complain. On long trips I tend to sit in the back with him to keep him entertained as he drops toys over the edge and can't reach them (which would be an issue FF as well). Usually he sleeps in the car or watches out the rear window and tells us about the cars/trucks behind us.

My absolute minimum is 3 before turning DS forward but I'd rather get to 4. We are looking at new seats than could give him more growing room if he gets to 40 inches (the CA height limit) before I am ready to flip him.

Sent from my iPod touch using DS Forum

monica-m · 08-21-2012, 09:03 AM

DS has a great view out the back and side windows. He tells me about all the things he sees as we go by. He can tell where we are if it's a familiar place. The props his legs up on the back of the seat or sits frogged. He would tell me if he was uncomfortable, he doesn't keep those kind of things to himself

.

As far as leg injuries, there are no documented cases of broken legs because of rear facing. Broken legs are one of the most common injuries to forward facers though. In a frontal collision (the most common) everything is going to fly toward the front of the vehicle (point of impact). In most cases, that means that the knees of the rear facer are going to be thrown up and back toward the torso which will not cause injury to them. It is very well illustrated in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sssIsceKd6U . For the forward facing child, their legs will be thrown forward, potentially striking the seat in front of them and their head will be thrown forward as well which is why it's so important to tether a forward facing seat as well as tighten the straps properly so the child's head does not strike the seat in front of them.

MiaAnjuli · 08-21-2012, 11:31 AM

My oldest is 3 1/2 and I am probably going to wait until he's 4.

lguillory · 08-21-2012, 11:39 AM

I never realized how long most people keep their children rear facing. This was great information; it looks my LO will be staying rear facing a bit longer

monica-m · 08-21-2012, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lguillory

I never realized how long most people keep their children rear facing. This was great information; it looks my LO will be staying rear facing a bit longer

tmwmommy · 08-21-2012, 11:46 AM

Mine will be 4 in 2 weeks and is still rear facing with lots of room to grow.

keen1981 · 08-21-2012, 01:07 PM

My just shy of 4 year old son

Leighmpalmer · 08-23-2012, 10:52 AM

Thanks for asking this question, and for all the responses. I ave been wanting to turn my daughter around all week and I do know better. I will keep her Rfing as long as I can!

stephcrouse · 08-23-2012, 08:48 PM

I turned my DS ff a few months ago, and I have been wondering if that was the right decision... Mainly did it so my niece could fit her nautilus in to ride somewhere with us and never moved it back. I am glad I happened on this thread, and I have a strong feeling that I will turn him back rf for a while longer when I clean out the van tomorrow.

He likes rf and has never complained. He is in a radian xtsl as is my 17 month old DS.

. Need to weigh him to make sure he is still in range for rf I guesS...

VaBigMama · 08-24-2012, 12:25 PM

All of mine were turned around at one, if not before. I have really tall kids and their knees were pushing up towards their faces making it absolutely unsafe. Had they not been tall I wouldn't probably just waited until they got too tall since I think rear facing really is safer.

08-21-2012, 05:07 AM	#41
kanga1622 Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 524 Ratings: 5 Feedback: 100%	I don't post pics of DS but he is still rear facing at almost 30 months, 32 pounds, and 36 inches. Honestly, in his CA his feet didn't reach the seat back until a few months ago. Now he sits with them touching the back of the seat with his legs as far apart as possible. I know he will throw his legs over the sides when they get a lite bigger. Since he's never been FF, he doesn't know any different and does not complain. On long trips I tend to sit in the back with him to keep him entertained as he drops toys over the edge and can't reach them (which would be an issue FF as well). Usually he sleeps in the car or watches out the rear window and tells us about the cars/trucks behind us. My absolute minimum is 3 before turning DS forward but I'd rather get to 4. We are looking at new seats than could give him more growing room if he gets to 40 inches (the CA height limit) before I am ready to flip him. Sent from my iPod touch using DS Forum __________________ Married since 2002, Doggy mama since 2004, Mama to DS since 03/2010, and expecting another to join us late June 2013. We BF, ERF, and CD. Always missing our little angels: 05/09 and 09/12.

08-21-2012, 09:03 AM	#42
monica-m Registered Users Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 2,221 My Mood:	Re: When did you put your child in a front faceing car seat & size question DS has a great view out the back and side windows. He tells me about all the things he sees as we go by. He can tell where we are if it's a familiar place. The props his legs up on the back of the seat or sits frogged. He would tell me if he was uncomfortable, he doesn't keep those kind of things to himself . As far as leg injuries, there are no documented cases of broken legs because of rear facing. Broken legs are one of the most common injuries to forward facers though. In a frontal collision (the most common) everything is going to fly toward the front of the vehicle (point of impact). In most cases, that means that the knees of the rear facer are going to be thrown up and back toward the torso which will not cause injury to them. It is very well illustrated in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sssIsceKd6U . For the forward facing child, their legs will be thrown forward, potentially striking the seat in front of them and their head will be thrown forward as well which is why it's so important to tether a forward facing seat as well as tighten the straps properly so the child's head does not strike the seat in front of them. __________________ CPST-I and SAHM to DS

08-21-2012, 11:31 AM	#43
MiaAnjuli Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 2,465 Ratings: 57 Feedback: 100%	Re: When did you put your child in a front faceing car seat & size question My oldest is 3 1/2 and I am probably going to wait until he's 4.

08-21-2012, 11:46 AM	#46
tmwmommy Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: WV Posts: 1,034 Ratings: 22 Feedback: 100%	Re: When did you put your child in a front faceing car seat & size question Mine will be 4 in 2 weeks and is still rear facing with lots of room to grow. __________________ wife to Mike and mommy to Clara (9/08) and Nick (12/31/12)

08-21-2012, 01:07 PM	#47
keen1981 Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 11,635 Ratings: 123 Feedback: 100%	My just shy of 4 year old son __________________ BFing, CDing, all natural mama to three boys! Certified lactation Counselor Last edited by keen1981; 10-09-2012 at 08:18 PM.