Inform me on FF/RF in carseats please..

[*Alabamamom*]

We were in a bad car accident 5 yrs ago (2003).. I guess this is why I worry so much.. I had my 3 kids with me.. My oldest dd was in the front seat by me (12), my son behind me (10) and my youngest dd in the back passenger side (8).. All of them had on their regular seat beat.. I was driving a fairly new car, a 2002 Kia Rio. It was raining hard and as I came up on a hill and curve, my car hydroplaned into the opposite lane of traffic. I hit a van head-on at 35 mph. The van was going about that speed, so it was like a 70mph impact. I only suffered a broken ankle from when the front of the car smashed in.. My dd in the front had mild whiplash, if that.. a few scratches on her face, but very minor overall. My son behind me had his arm completely broke up by his shoulder, and his seat belt cut into his belly and torn his intestines. My other daughter in the back was gushing blood from her mouth and was having seizures... She had a concussion, a collasped lung and her jaw was broken in two areas. I still remember it so well.. the panic and screaming and praying to God to please not take my babies from me. Needless to say after the surguries and hospital time, I had them BOTH in a high back booster.. I had found ones that went up to 100 lbs.. Actually from the info I'm finding, Sarah should have still been a 5-pt harness seat at that point, not a booster at all. It makes me feel guilty.. All these guidelines on the boxes aren't even fully accurate.. They say (or least back in that time) that children could sit without any aid of seats or boosters if they are at least 40lbs and 4 yrs. I did everything that was recommended by the state laws.. both of my kids in the back were well over those limits.. Sarah was 45 lbs, and Kyle was easily 80 lbs.. Yet, they were hurt so badly.. and to find out that even though I put them in boosters after for a couple years following that, they still could get seriously injured is just really disheartening.. I mean, I know with Kyle that was my only option.. but I just simply didn't know a 5-pt harness should have been used with Sarah.. she should have been in that for a good 20 lbs more. I thank God they are here and with me today.. I thank you ladies on this board in particular for informing me on all this because seriously if I was still going by what the boxes say, or my state guidelines..

[*Alabamamom*]

You are so right that installation is of the utmost importance.. so glad all was well with both of you.. it's so scary isn't it? We all live and learn, that's what life is all about...

Originally Posted by SativaStarr Mama, Im glad you switched him back, but PLEASE try not to worry to much. FFing is NOT a death sentence. I also practice ERF, but recently turned my 32lb 2 yo FFing because I just couldnt get him in RFing anymore.. it was getting way to hard on me physically (I have fibromyalgia, and when it flares, it makes even caring for my kids very difficult). His seat only RF to 33 lbs, so he was very close anyways (Im sure fully dressed he exceeds 33 lbs anyways). Back in 2002, I was 18 and driving home on the freeway (65 mph) with my best friends 9 mo daughter FF in an old Century T-shield carseat that Id bought for 2 bucks from the thrift store. Beflore y'all throw flames, I was young, childless and seriously didnt know any better. BUT the seat was installed correctly and securely with just seatbelt (this seat and my car didnt have tethers). Anyways, a deer jumped out, I slammed on the brakes, and my car spun around several times, colliding with the gaurdrail on 3 of 4 corners. I figure the car was going at least 40 at the time of impact, and the car was TOTALED. And guess what? Baby Cass emerged from that accident completely unscathed!! Well she did have a tiny mark on her shoulder from the strap because it was resting on her bare skin,but it didnt even phase her. Of course I realize I did LOTS of things wrong in this situation, but i like to share my story as a testament that FF is SAFE, and that a PROPERLY INSTALLED carseat is truely what matters.. not RF/FF or how expensive your seat is.

[brooklynn]

Mama, I'm so sorry to hear about your accident and so glad that ultimately, everyone was okay. How scary though. What your son (in the backseat) experienced is known as Seatbelt Syndrome and is exactly why CPS Advocates emphasize extended harnessing and boosters for big kids (among more obvious safety reasons)!!!

http://www.freewebs.com/sacredjourneys/albummisuse.htm

The Scenera has one of the highest RF weights available! Even before Britax and SKJP, it allowed for RF up to 35 pounds.

[SativaStarr]

Originally Posted by *Alabamamom* We were in a bad car accident 5 yrs ago (2003).. I guess this is why I worry so much.. I had my 3 kids with me.. My oldest dd was in the front seat by me (12), my son behind me (10) and my youngest dd in the back passenger side (8).. All of them had on their regular seat beat.. I was driving a fairly new car, a 2002 Kia Rio. It was raining hard and as I came up on a hill and curve, my car hydroplaned into the opposite lane of traffic. I hit a van head-on at 35 mph. The van was going about that speed, so it was like a 70mph impact. I only suffered a broken ankle from when the front of the car smashed in.. My dd in the front had mild whiplash, if that.. a few scratches on her face, but very minor overall. My son behind me had his arm completely broke up by his shoulder, and his seat belt cut into his belly and torn his intestines. My other daughter in the back was gushing blood from her mouth and was having seizures... She had a concussion, a collasped lung and her jaw was broken in two areas. I still remember it so well.. the panic and screaming and praying to God to please not take my babies from me. Needless to say after the surguries and hospital time, I had them BOTH in a high back booster.. I had found ones that went up to 100 lbs.. Actually from the info I'm finding, Sarah should have still been a 5-pt harness seat at that point, not a booster at all. It makes me feel guilty.. All these guidelines on the boxes aren't even fully accurate.. They say (or least back in that time) that children could sit without any aid of seats or boosters if they are at least 40lbs and 4 yrs. I did everything that was recommended by the state laws.. both of my kids in the back were well over those limits.. Sarah was 45 lbs, and Kyle was easily 80 lbs.. Yet, they were hurt so badly.. and to find out that even though I put them in boosters after for a couple years following that, they still could get seriously injured is just really disheartening.. I mean, I know with Kyle that was my only option.. but I just simply didn't know a 5-pt harness should have been used with Sarah.. she should have been in that for a good 20 lbs more. I thank God they are here and with me today.. I thank you ladies on this board in particular for informing me on all this because seriously if I was still going by what the boxes say, or my state guidelines..

That must have been incredibly scary for all of you! Im so glad that you came through this ok


In my accident, babe was fine (Thank God ).. I had some injuries, but nothing too serious. Just some back/neck issues that actually still plague me to this day but at least Im alive and fully functioning.. and yes i was wearin a seatbelt. Which is actually amazing in itself, because when i was 18 I NEVER wore one But for some odd reason that night I just had this strange feeling that I should wear it.

[Calideedle]

Originally Posted by SativaStarr Back in 2002, I was 18 and driving home on the freeway (65 mph) with my best friends 9 mo daughter FF in an old Century T-shield carseat that Id bought for 2 bucks from the thrift store. Beflore y'all throw flames, I was young, childless and seriously didnt know any better. BUT the seat was installed correctly and securely with just seatbelt (this seat and my car didnt have tethers). Anyways, a deer jumped out, I slammed on the brakes, and my car spun around several times, colliding with the gaurdrail on 3 of 4 corners. I figure the car was going at least 40 at the time of impact, and the car was TOTALED. And guess what? Baby Cass emerged from that accident completely unscathed!! Well she did have a tiny mark on her shoulder from the strap because it was resting on her bare skin,but it didnt even phase her. Of course I realize I did LOTS of things wrong in this situation, but i like to share my story as a testament that FF is SAFE, and that a PROPERLY INSTALLED carseat is truely what matters.. not RF/FF or how expensive your seat is.

That little baby was VERY lucky ESPECIALLY at that age and FFing - MANY would not be so lucky. FF at the RIGHT AGE is safe, yes, that was far from a safe age to FF. So yes she was VERY LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YES RFing IS way safer! As is a properly installed seat and a SAFE carseat (sheild carseats are not safe to use) (I know this was awhile back)

[*Alabamamom*]

Hey mama's.. I have a question.. Since I've turned Andrew to RF, yesterday he was sound asleep and when I looked in my mirror, his seat had went over sideways about 4-5 inches.. I guess from turning on roads.. So, I pulled over and tried to fix it, but it did it again.. What am I doing wrong? I don't remember it going sideways at all when I had him RFing before. I'm using the seatbelt this time, instead of the latch system.. could that be the reason??

[pixilated]

It sounds like you didn't install the seat correctly, check your owner's manual for the vehicle on how to install a carseat with the seatbelts.

[*Alabamamom*]

It shows instructions right on the carseat, on the side... I am just going to hook it up with the LATCH because I know it didn't go sideways with that at all..

[Jillybean]

Yeah, it sounds like it wasn't in tight enough if it could move like that. My car doesn't have latch and I've never had any problems installing with seatbelts. If you post pics and more info like what kind of car it is and in what seating position someone may be able to offer more assistance. GL

[Jillybean]

Originally Posted by *Alabamamom* It shows instructions right on the carseat, on the side... I am just going to hook it up with the LATCH because I know it didn't go sideways with that at all..

You should compare the carseat instructions with the instructions in your cars owners manual.