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How many of you have your little ones still rear facing? Billy is forward facing, but I have been researching that rear facing is 5 times safer. I am thinking I should be changing his car seat to be rear facing. Can I do that in a convertible car seat?
I've only ever had Ben in a convertible. They usually do both rear and forward. I switched Ben 5 mo ago to forward facing because car trips had become unbearable. Seriously he would scream until he was choking. Also would fight me tooth and nail while I was trying to even get him in. I turned him and now he helps me with his straps. He hated not being able to see and I think the reclined position of rear facing had him feeling out of control. I know it's safer to do rear, but life had become miserable any time we had to go anywhere.
I've only ever had Ben in a convertible. They usually do both rear and forward. I switched Ben 5 mo ago to forward facing because car trips had become unbearable. Seriously he would scream until he was choking. Also would fight me tooth and nail while I was trying to even get him in. I turned him and now he helps me with his straps. He hated not being able to see and I think the reclined position of rear facing had him feeling out of control. I know it's safer to do rear, but life had become miserable any time we had to go anywhere.
I guess I'll just have to see how Billy reacts to it. Who knows, knowing him, he will like it one week and hate it the next.
Abby is forward facing as well. She has ALWAYS hated being in the van, ALWAYS! Turning her forward has helped a little. Honest to God she'd scream at the top of her lungs any time we went anywhere and trust me, that was more unsafe than being forward facing. It made me want to drive into a bridge over pass just to get the screaming to stop.
She's still not pleasant but at least the screaming has become an annoying whine. Forward facing Emily can help entertain her and she can watch a dvd if it's a longer trip.
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Last edited by ~Paula~; March 23rd, 2011 at 12:13 PM.
So I won't be an awful mom if I try it and decide not to continue with it? I know that there are some new carseat regulations being debated about extended rear facing.
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Last edited by *Jennifer*; March 23rd, 2011 at 12:05 PM.
I don't think you're awful. My kids may be forward facing but they are strapped in tight, ALWAYS in their seats, etc...
There is a new booster seat law here, that requires children to be in a booster until the age of 8, which I like because of the seat belts and necks, etc...
But the forward/rear debate, I just ignore. I do what works for me and my family and wish others would respect that decision.
Ditto to what Paula said. I can totally sympathize to the wanting to drive your car into something lol! Bens screaming and choking was making me lose focus. This was even with his brother in the back trying to entertain him. He's a curious child and likes to see everything. Forward facing he watches the road and the sights and is now happy going places. He's always in tight and secure.
Jennifer you're not a horrible mom at all! Do what's best for you and Billy
The laws are different here. Babies only have to be RF till 6 months (and the car seat companies only make seats to fit this law for a baby on the 90%ile). We waited with Lucy till she outgrew her infant seat. She's been FF for a while now. Longer than any other baby here.
I thought those recommendations had been around for years. Now I'm seeing a huge fuss and debates over them.
I'm going to keep Levi RF as long as possible, but that might not be too much longer. He has 6lbs left until he reaches the weight for RF. Unless the new baby grows out of the carrier before Levi reaches the limit, then we'll get one with a higher limit. Levi really does not mind facing the rear.
I think you should do what works for you. I agree with Paula, that you're probably more likely to get in an accident if your kid is screaming their lungs out every time you get in the car. I know I'd be distracted at least.
Just out of curiosity... did the mirrors that you hang from the headrests get banned or something? One of the reasons I hear for turning kids around early is because parents can't see them. We can see Levi perfectly with that mirror. I wasn't sure if there was a reason people weren't using them.
We had a mirror but it would turn and twist and eventually just got knocked off and never put back. But me turning Abby had nothing to do with not seeing her, it was for my sanity. LOL
I also think with all the side airbags and such that they have now, cars can't get much safer.
Monica, I think you'll be surprised how long it takes Levi to gain those 6 pounds. They go from 6-20 quickly and then from 20-30 it takes forever, at least for mine it did.
Monica, I think you'll be surprised how long it takes Levi to gain those 6 pounds. They go from 6-20 quickly and then from 20-30 it takes forever, at least for mine it did.
Bailey was *just* turned around Sunday. I went to get in the car and Tom had turned it around, he got sick of looking at her legs being folded. I'm turning it back around, 1. for the safety, and 2. The boys are in the third row, so she can't see them facing forward.
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Nicole: Tom's Wife [5.7.05]; Mommy of Thomas [9.6.05], Collin [1.17.08], & Bailey [10.2.09]
We just switched Tegan around this weekend. It was getting too hard to get her in a out with her legs all folded up and she started screaming when we put her in.
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I also have Elise ff, you should not feel bad for having him that way it is whatever you decide and Monica Elise is just a few ounces under 30lbs after losing a little over a pound from being sick so even if she was still rf she wouldnt be able to much longer
yes they can definitely be rear facing in a convertable carseat. a lot of people don't realize it but convertable carseats start around 5lbs and can go up to 40/60 or more pounds. Catie is still rear facing and I plan to keep her that way until she's around 35lbs. That's how long she can remain rear facing in the carseat she has. Right now she's around 21lbs so we have a while to go, before I'll turn her around.
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Chris mom to 4 girls: Ashleigh, Madisyn, Emely, & Cathryn
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I'm turning it back around, 1. for the safety, and 2. The boys are in the third row, so she can't see them facing forward. 
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