My 9-month old is nearly 24 pounds and 34 inches tall. We currently have him still facing backward, but his legs have no room left and are getting scrunched up. He often pushes up against the seat and gets frustrated because of the lack of legroom. I've tried looking at CA and Federal regulations relating to rear-facing infant seats, but can't find specific rules about infants having to face backward. I know it's technically safer, since rear-facing protects them better during sudden stops. But can anyone tell me if they've had experience like this? I'd like to turn his chair forward so he can swing his legs a bit and actually stretch them out.
What do you all think?
After asking our pediatrician about the carseat, considering Attila's height and weight, she said to keep him facing backward, specifically because the danger to him in a car accident should he be facing forward this early outweighs his slight uncomfort when sitting as he is now. SO, I figured I'd listen to authority and not risk any danger to my child. Thanks to all who've given their two-cents! I appreciate each of you!
I too, had big babies and had mine facing forward by that age. You can turn him around. My 5 month old is already almost 18 pounds and is 27 inches long, so I am not sure how long we will have her rear facing, maybe another 2-3 months at most.
Hi. I work at a large Trauma Center and am a car seat technician and instructor. The law is a bit strange in this particular area, but I can tell you some things for certain. Your child should remain rear-facing until a minimum of one year of age AND min. of 20 lbs. Sometimes parents think the child's legs touching the vehicle seat means the child is too tall for the seat, but his is not true. You should check your car seat to see what the maximum height limit is of that seat. If your child is within those limits, you are fine. If not, I suggest buying a convertible seat with a higher height limit. That way that seat will be able to be turned forward in a few months if you choose to do that after at least one year of age. Children's bones do not calcify until around a year of age and it is very dangerous to have them face forward before then. When they are facinng rear, the car seat itself takes the bulk of the crash forces and protects the child MUCH more effeciently. Good luck!
It is not a law that children under one ride rear facing though it is strongly recomendded by the CHP, American Academy of Pediatrics and everyone under the sun.
Is he in an infant seat or a convertible car seat? If he's in the infant, switch to the bigger carseat as it will give him more rearfacing leg room. Also, check the carseat height limit for rear facing. Rearfacing is safer but if he is over the height he won't be as fully protected since he doesn't meet the height criteria it was designed for. (does that make sense?) You can also research to find a carseat he can fit and ride backwards in if you are nervous to swithc him around.
I think both of my kids were turned around between 10 and 11 months because they were so tall.
they are to be 1 year and 22lbs. we put our daughter front facing at 10 months and 18lbs because she was too long for the rear facing seat and she also fit well in a front facer. i would try to wait at least one more month to move him forward.
J.,
The laws are only that they must be IN the carseat. The rules are one year before forward facing for safety. The rule REALLY is one year, as that is when most children start walking. The neck, back, and spine aren't strong enough to support his head until he is a stable walker. If he's not walking, he's not ready yet. There are several larger carseats that will accomodate the longer babies ~ they also will turn around when he is ready, so no need for multiple purchases!
Good luck!!
H.
