new car seat advice: waving from behind

This just in from yesterday--the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) now recommends that children should be rear-facing in their car seats until age 2. This puts a whole new spin for us Bunchers since it means our Bunch is now facing backwards, and we can just have to hope and pray that they are behaving themselves back there.  No more looking back in the rear view mirror to catch those toddler smiles; now it might just be some bobbing heads with a few toys flying back and forth. Good times.

This is not new for me since our early Bunching days were in spent in Sweden where their kids ride rear facing until age 3 or even 4! The car seats are made differently and stabilized in ways that look like they also might be drilling for oil while restraining your kids. (Now that's a fun concept.) I often wondered how my Baby Bunching neighbor did it with both kids facing that way. How do you know what trouble your toddler's up to. Well, they also can put their kids rear-facing in the front seat (air bag disabled) so that eliminates that issue. I couldn't go this route because my Britax car seat at the time wouldn't allow for a child over a certain height to be rear facing. Here is a good resource for what they do in other countries.

This is only guidance and not a law set in place, but here's the scoop on why:

One-year-olds are five times less likely to be injured in a crash if they are in a rear-facing car seat than a forward-facing seat, according to a 2007 analysis of five years of U.S. crash data. Toddlers have relatively large heads and small necks. In a front-facing car seat, the force of a crash can jerk the child's head causing spinal cord injuries. [We admit it's kind of hard to argue with that.]

Car seats have recommended weights printed on them. If a 1-year-old outweighs the recommendation of an infant seat, parents should switch to a different rear-facing car seat that accommodates the heavier weight until they turn 2, the pediatricians group says.

We're curious what you think about this new recommendation. Do your kids like to face backwards? Are their legs scrunched up? Is this something you'll do or will you address the issue on a child-by-child basis?

*photo credit: Carseat.se--Rear Facing for a Safer Future.

Comments

[Kate]

I guess this also means that all bunchers now need to invest in minivans and SUVs. I can barely fit a small adult in my Carolla with one child rear-facing, let alone two. As a public health professional AND a baby buncher, I totally agree with this recommendation. Prevention matters, and the statistics speak to me as a parent. But still? The carseat industry needs to catch up with the AAP, it seems!

I own the Combi Coccorro which works rear facing in small vehicles up to a certain point, but it will not accommodate my 23 month old rear facing, that's for sure! Britax, Sunshine kids and the other top rated ones? They are so bulky I doubt they'd work in a sedan very well at all!

Would love feedback from other bunchers (who don't have vans or suvs) about what has worked and what hasn't. Because two carseats is logistically difficult as it is!

[Amanda]

I have a Saab and I barely can squeeze two Britax in it. With my daughter rear facing, the front passenger seat has to be up pretty far to make room for the back of her carseat. At 16-months, her legs are bent up to her neck, but she's just over 20 lbs so she can't be turned around. We have to take my husband's SUV when it is all four of us.

[clare]

The facts about injuries in front facing seats speak volumes but I agree as yet the car seat industry just hadn't produced the right seats. Both my kids had to go forward facing at around 9 months as there was just no room for their legs. They were exceptionally uncomfortable as were we as our seats were right against the dashboard and stirring wheel. I would have loved to have kept mine rear facing for longer but we couldn't find a car seat that would accommodate long legs. It's a scary thought that children have to go forward facing but until the car seat industry produces better seats that's the way it has to be.

[Julie Fuller]

My three kids (3mo, 17mo, and 35mo) are ALL rear-facing, and yes, we had to buy a van to do it.

They all do wonderfully rear-facing, though, and don't fuss in the car. I think the van really helps because they can see out the back window really well (the elder two are on the back bench). I buckle them in from the rear hatch, because that's much easier than being myself inside the van and trying to reach over their seats!

[Anne]

My 2 1/2 year old is still rear facing, as of course is my 11 month old. We have a smaller SUV, and just tilt the backs of the seats down to accommodate for longer legs. I plan to leave all the kids rear facing until they are too heavy or tall for the carseat (Britax Boulevard).

[Kathleen]

I switched our kiddo not long before his second birthday - he was too tall for the Maxi Cosi, so it had to go. He was technically okay in his Britax, but would whine about his legs hurting - they were torqued at a crazy angle. I admit, I didn't think to lower the seat (thanks, @Anne!)

[tracy]

We turned our kiddo front facing around 28 months because she reached the height limit on her car seat. She was perfectly happy rear facing, she just sat with bent or "pretzel" legs, and I had one of those "baby-in-view" type of mirrors on the seat back, so I could see her clearly all the time.

[Wallydraigle]

I have gigantic children. It is hard enough to lift them into a seat forward-facing. I can't even imagine it rear-facing. And I lift weights. Not to mention, it's not possible to drive safely with my seat crammed as close to the gas and brake as it has to be in order to fit a rear-facing car seat that will accommodate my size of children.

I'm all in favor of making my kids as safe as reasonably possible, but one of the most dangerous things I can do with them in the first place is put them in a car, period. There comes a certain point where acceptable risk comes in. Turning my kids around when the reach the point that I can't lift them into their seats anymore is it.

We own a minivan, too (2001 Town & Country). And there's no way we can afford to buy another one anytime soon.

[lilkunta]

__"... in Sweden the car seats are made differently and stablized in ways that look like they also might be drilling for oil while restraining your kids. (Now that's a fun concept.)_"
Do you have a pic you could share of teh Swedish car seats.

__" I often wondered how my Baby Bunching neighbor did it with both kids facing that way. How do you know what trouble your toddler's up to ".__
All you need is a mirror velcroed to the seat so you see your baby.

_"Well, [in Sweden] they also can put their kids rear-facing in the front seat (air bag disabled) so that eliminates that issue."_
In sweden baby carseats are allowed to be in front? Really? Im glad this is against the law in USA, disabled airbag or not! Have you seen airbag burn on an adult? An airbag will def hurt a child, break the spin, shaken babay syndrome and more.

@wally: I am with you! So are parents who have 1yr old and have discarded/sold/given away their newborn rear car seat supposed to go and buy another one that is rear facing?I'm not going to do that.

[lilkunta]

@ juli 35mo Lol ...i think it is time to call her / him 2yrs old okay! LOL

[Alicia]

We have mirrors for each kid - have since they were newborns so we could see what was happening back there. I feel the mirrors are safely attached to the seat.

[mandie]

Wow. I'm normally a fan of this blog, but I have to say, I'm taken aback by the negative comments in regards to this new recommendation. Did you all miss the part that says your child is FIVE TIMES SAFER rear facing? Or that car crashes are the #1 cause of death in children? As parents of toddlers, we should be applauding and supporting any recommendation that helps us and our fellow parents keep children alive.

As for the "scrunched leg" thing - how many toddlers do you know who sit on the floor with their legs straight out? They don't. They bend and fold their legs naturally, so doing so in the car isn't causing any discomfort. And in the event of a crash, your child's broken legs can be fixed. A broken neck can't be.

And as for this: "So are parents who have 1yr old and have discarded/sold/given away their newborn rear car seat supposed to go and buy another one that is rear facing?" No. You're supposed to have purchased a convertible seat, and these can be placed in your car forward OR rear facing up to a certain set of limits determined by your car seat manufacturer. If you bought the wrong kind of seat, go buy a new one. Surely your child is worth the $140 you can buy an Evenflo convertible seat for.

Do a little research, people, and do what's best for your kids. If that means trading a tiny car for a bigger one, then do it - you're talking about your child's LIFE. But I'm not sure I'm buying these "the seats don't fit!" arguments, anyway - we've fit two car seats rear facing quite easily in two small cars (a Toyota Camry and a BMW 335).

And clare, flipping a child at 9 months is not only horribly dangerous but illegal in many states as well. Wow.

[Kelly]

I agree w/ mandie. stop whining about how it inconveniences you and keep your kids safe.

I actually think that as a baby buncher, keeping your youngest rear facing is a great solution. My 3 year old is FF, but my not quite 2 yo is RF and they can easily see each other and interact while sitting this way, rather than both FF.

[Julie]

I have to agree with Mandie and Kelly. But the funny thing is, these recommendations didn't just come out this week. These were the recommendations two years ago, when we were faced with the possibility of turning our first born around. He stayed rear facing until just before his 2nd birthday, he crossed his legs and was quite content - even on the 8-12 hour car trips to visit family. Now (just over 3), he and his little sister (13 months) chit chat constantly and have very entertaining conversations while they can easily see each other. I was joking with my husband the other day that we're about to have 2 rear facing kids once baby arrives in August!

[Baby Bunching]

Ok, ladies...lets not get too crazy here. Yes, please remember to be respectful of people. This is only a recommendation. There are a few things that have to happen here. 1) I agree the car set manufacturers do have to catch up with this recommendation and I think they will. The car seats now cannot support kids up to 40 pounds rear-facing (like they do in Sweden), but since we know they exist somewhere, Im sure they will catch up quickly. 2) This is a shift in what were accustomed to. Chances are your Bunch might be just as happy to all be rear-facing because they are doing it together. But certainly, look at this as a guideline for your situation. No one is saying go buy another car or another car seat (in fact, I would wait on that because I would in about a year, the car seat companies will catch up). You need to do whats right for your family. This also has to do with where you live. If you live in a city with SUVs running red lights and driving fast, you might want to rethink this. If you live in a town where people generally drive 25 miles an hour through town (thats me) this might not affect you because speeds are lower and cars are smaller.

 

To answer lilkuntas questions:

 

Here is a video of the carseat installation. They have a foot or bar that goes from the seat to the floor to stablize it. http://www.carseat.se/swedish-car-seats/installation-videos/britax-hi-way/

 

Yes, the Swedes do put their kids in the front seat. Apparently, when rear-facing its just as safe as in the back. Keep in mind this is a shift in thinking....just like this concept of rear-facing until 2, 3 or even 4. This is what were used to. Check this out: http://www.carseat.se/rearfacing/position-in-vehicle/front-seat-safety/

 

Just a reminder to please please be respectful on this site. :-) Thank you.

 

 

 

[Molly]

Many seats in the U.S. DO support rearfacing to 40 lbs now (and a couple even to 45 lbs) although they haven't quite caught up to the Swedish seats. There are definitely convertible seats out there though that will get the vast majority of kids to 2 rearfacing.

Our bunch are 3 years this past January and 2 the end of this month and both are still rearfacing happily in our van. Yes, their legs have to be folded up and not sticking straight out, but really, watch a toddler sit in a chair in the house. How often do they just sit and let their legs hang? I'd hate to be stuck on a bar-stool where my feet didn't touch the floor for half an hour or an hour every day. Our girls actually complain about being forward facing in their carseats when we fly.
I don't find it too inconvenient to keep them rearfacing at all. It's easier to buckle them rearfacing, easier for them to crawl over into their own seat at a younger age after being lifted up to the first one in the row (we have 3 seats across in our vehicle because we have a new little one due in a few weeks) and a lot harder for them to lose their snacks/drinks/toys in the car on the floor!

Oh, and while we do drive a minivan, our girls also rearface in their regular carseats in my parents mid-sized sedans with no problems, even installed behind my tall dad and husband. After a baby is no longer a newborn they don't need a full 45 degree angle anymore so it gives you a lot more room front to back.

[Jenna]

I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 22 month old, and both are rear facing in sunshine radians and graco myrides. We do have a minivan now, but I used to drive them around in my little honda civic when my son was an infant, and my daughter was still in her radian in the civic. They both fit. I am 6 feet tall.

[Jennifer]

I know of a woman who had 3 rear facing kiddos in her corolla. This is not new information. Even in the old recommendations, the AAP said at LEAST 1 year old AND 20 pound, but it was better to rear face as long as possible, to the limits of the convertible seat.

I found this information 5 years ago, when I was pregnant again with #6, when #5 was only 6 months old. Even my #5 95+% child was able to rear face to 25 months in her seat that was available back then. I had both #5 and #6 rear facing at the same time (of course we had a van... #6 here). #6 and #7 are both still rear facing. And I haven't bought that many seats to do so.

Please, everyone questioning, instead of saying how hard it is, read the information, look at the studies and the videos, then form an educated opinion.

[Jennifer]

Oh, and 1 more thing. If you read new car seat manuals, even they recommend rear facing to the limits of their seats, and that is 35-45 pounds now.

[Joanne]

I've done this two times over now. When my 2nd child came along, my first was 17 months and still was rear facing. Both remained rear facing until the oldest turned 4 and she went forward facing. Then it was just my middle child. The next baby was 2 1/2 years later but the middle child was still rear facing and we once again had two rear facers and a forward facing harnessed child. The middle one just turned at 4 years old so we now have just one rear facer again. My oldest was 44" when she turned forward facing and wore a size 5 shirt. My middle was 40" and wore a 5 shirt. Both fit with plenty of head and leg room but 4 is my maximum.

When we had the two under 2, we drove a ford taurus and a chevy impala 4 door. I am 5'7" and my husband is 6 foot. We never had any issues with room. When #3 came we had 3 across with 2 rear facers until we got our minivan.

It's totally doable. I've done it twice now :) Both without a van :)

There are plenty of seats that will fit in sedans. For those saying they had a 13 month old with knees in their throats....something wasn't right with your seat. My 13 month old who is 34" tall and wears a size 2T's feet barely touch the seat back. And my kids rear faced to 4 in standards seats in a sedan and their knees were never in their throats. Those must be some tall 12 month olds ;) Chances are the seat was not installed properly because I've yet to meet a 13 month old with knees in their throats in a regular standard convertible carseat at the proper angle. You can also teach your children to criss cross or drape them over the edge

[Richard]

I don't see it as any different. I preferred it when my kids both faced the same way actually. When both were rear facing, they were young and really couldn't bother each other. Now that they're a bit older, one is finally facing forward while the other is still rear facing. The younger one likes to stick her foot at the face of the older one. Now that they're NOT facing the same direction, it seems to give much more opportunity for them to bother each other. And yes, the older one went beyond even these new recommendations for rear facing. He never complained and never seemed uncomfortable. Kids can comfortably fall asleep in positions that would put adults in the hospital. Just think: can you easily suck your toes?

[sunny]

I have a 4.5 and 2.5 year old, both of which prefer to be rear facing. They do so in our car, my grandmothers civic, my aunts Taurus, and numerous other vehicles. We are expecting our third in July and may turn our oldest forward facing at that time depending on whether we get a bigger vehicle or not.

[Kimberly]

I was looking at myself in the car today. I have to bend my legs to fit, and I'm forward facing. I've never actually seen an adult that didn't have to bend their legs to sit in a car. For that matter, I happen to be sitting criss-cross-applesauce in my computer chair right now. It's my standard seating position.

[a]

If you have twins they are both rear facing at the same time, so whats the difference?

[Holly]

I wanted to share my experience for anyone who might find it helpful. My first child was turned around at 11 months because I didn't know that rear facing was safer. My first 2 kids are 16 months apart. I learned about the safety of rear facing when my kids were 24 months and 8 months. My youngest was still rear facing at that point because she was under a year, but I decided to turn my oldest back around too.

We drive a 2007 Toyota Camry. It's not crazy small but it's not super big either. My younger daughter was rear facing in a Cosco Scenera, we put my older daughter rear facing next to her in the center in her radian 65. It wouldn't have fit rear facing on any of the sides because it's a lot taller than other seats and it sits more reclined. I at first didn't think it would fit at all since it didn't fit on the sides, but the middle was no problem, it kind of sat in between the front seats.

My oldest ended up staying rearfacing until she was almost 3. My younger daughter stayed rear facing until she was 25 months because she reached the rear facing weight limit of both of our seats at the time, but I would have kept her rear facing to at least 3 if I could have.
By that time, we had a Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe for her (Made by Britax and very similar to the Marathon). We got a great deal on it so thats why we got it. Anyway, even though the radian wouldn't fit rear facing on the sides, the FPSVD did and still had plenty of growing room for my dd. Had she not reached the weight limit, she still would have fit in it. The Cosco Scenera we had before would have gotten her to at least 2 rear facing.

Now, both of my daughters are forward facing in radians at 4 and 5.5 years. My son just turned 2 and he's riding rear facing in a Britax Roundabout 50 (same size as the FPSVD that we had, same size as a Marathon). He fits really well in it and has a lot of growing room in it. My goal is to get him to at least 3. He'll fit for sure until then. He is 26 lbs and still has a lot of hard shell above his head.

Anyway, just wanted to share my experience, that you can get 2 rear facers in the back seat of a car, you don't need a van to do it.
I have a public photo album on facebook with car seat pictures of my kids. Pictures from when my oldest was turned around at 2 up until now. If it helps to see how they fit, you guys can look at them. Try this link. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=607650896&aid=231563 If that doesn't work, try looking up my name, I'm Holly Walker Ericksen. You should be able to see that album, I have it set to public.
I hope this helps someone!

[Christina]

I enjoy this blog and normally never leave comments (on any blog I read) but this one hits home for me.
My children are 5, 3 and almost 2 years old.

My 5 year old was turned forward in the car at 9 months old. My 3 year old was turned forward right at her third birthday and my almost 2 year old who weighs 27 pounds is still rear facing and will continue to be until she is at least 3, hopefully longer.
When we know better, we do better for our children.

My younger two children were both rear facing at the same time, my son still in a 5 point harness. And I don't have a van or SUV.

"Current seats wont accomodate larger rear facing children"
Baloney! Maybe those people are still thinking of infants seats? My 3 year old would certainly be cramped in a KeyFit! But there are plenty of *convertible* seats that provide ample leg room and higher weight limits - 40 pounds+.

When a child gets older, the convertible seat can be installed more upright. That will give the front passengers more room. A 1 year old doesn't need the recline a newborn does to keep their airways open. Most convertible seats can be as upright as 30 degrees.

Google "extended rear facing" and click "images".

[Anne]

My 2.5 year old is still rear facing and will stay that way for a while yet. She's my only, but I watch my cousin's kiddo 3 days a week and he's only 7.5 months younger. He is also rear facing in my car. MY 2 DOOR CAR! It would, of course, be easier in an SUV or mini-van, but it IS possible in a smaller car.

I don't understand the whole line of thought of them getting into trouble rear facing. I think they do fine. And really I think they'd have an easier time of getting into trouble and annoying each other if they faced different ways. Because then feet can kick and they can see each other easier.

Even if I didn't find rear facing perfectly easy and doable, I'd still do it anyway. It is so much safer and not worth the risk to turn her around for the sake of convenience.

[Holly]

I commented earlier, but I thought of something I should have added.
I said that I turned my 2nd daughter forward facing at 25 months because she had reached the weight limit of our seats. That is true, she did, but I wanted to point out that our seats both had 33 lb rear face weight limits. We had the Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe and the Sunshine Kids Radian, but the early readians could only RF to 33 lbs. Now, the Radian 65SL can RF to 40 lbs, and the Radian 80SL and XTSL can go to 45 lbs. The Classic Britax seats (Marathon, Boulevard, Decathalon, etc) could RF to 35 lbs, but the new generation seats (Marathon 70, etc) can RF to 40 lbs. So, those seats can accomodate larger children by both height and weight. I had the early ones that couldn't RF that long by weight. Had the weight limit been higher at the time, my dd would still have fit by her size.

[Hakan]

Good thoughts and opinions. I wanted to provide some answers since the kiddos in the photo above are mine and I run the company behind CarSeat.se. I think the authors simply forgot to place a link back to http://www.carseat.se;-)

- The new US advice is a very positive step in the right direction

- Rear facing until 2 years of age is already outdated information. It should be rear facing until age 4. The talk about new research is pure bs, is has been available for a very long time.

- Research and real life experience has been available for ages showing just how HUGE the benefits of rear facing are compared to forward facing

- While many seem to think US is doing well regarding car seat safety it's actually the opposite. US is at least 30 years behind which is why this is a good step in the right direction

- Here in Sweden we are light years ahead of US. We have been rear facing children since 1965, I sat RF in 1967, and we have learned a thing or two during these years

- Forward facing at age 2 is not something anyone will do over here because the safety benefit of rear facing is so huge. The strong recommendation, pls note it's not the law, is to keep kids RF until age 4 or longer. Most parents follow this advice.

- Forward facing seats are not necessary. In Sweden no forward facing seats are sold since they are not safe enough. You can't buy a FF seat for a 2-year old because they are not sold. This is not a law. It's a something retailers/organisations/government do to keep our kids safe.

- Rear facing seat in US are far behind.

- Rear facing in small cars is perfectly fine with the right seats (which are not available in US).

- The photo in the article is from a trip to Mexico in younger days, yes we always bring our car seats with us, and they are installed in an Opel Astra. This is not a large car. My oldest son was 38 months and my daughter Annika 8 months in the photo.

- Here in Sweden most of our seats are compact and with a 55 lbs rear facing limit. They also fit any car regardless of nationality. Works equally well in Sweden, US , China, Australia, Guatemala, etc.

- Seats in photo above are Britax Hi-Way which is a compact seat lasting rear facing to around 4.5 years of age and height of 44 inches. This seat fits will in small to large cars with space left in front seat.

- For larger kids we have seats such as Britax Multi Tech and Britax Two-Way which have taller seats shells, 55 lbs Rf limit and will keep kids Rf until age 5-6 and height of 51 inches if desired. These seats need 2 inches more space than the compact Hi-Way and they fit fine in midsize cars with space left in front seat

- Rear facing save lots of lives. In Sweden we do rear facing until age 4 or longer and then go straight to a high back booster. Our fatality rate for age 0-6 years is basically zero each year. In US the number one killer of young children are traffic accidents

- Front seat, with deactivated airbag, is actually the safest place for a rear facing car seat for several reasons. We use front seat extensively over here. not being able to turn off airbag, like in US, doesn't save children's lives. But it will kill children.

- Leg space is not an issue for rear facing children. They sit with bent legs early on which is both safe and comfortable

At last, if it's possible to rear face way past age 2 then please do so. It's a real life saver. I have the pleasure of seeing this every day.

[Rachel]

I have a Jeep Liberty (tiny backseat for an SUV) and have 3 kids RF. They are 5 months, 1.5 and 2.5 and they have all always been RF.

[Clare]

Wow I can't believe how rude people are to one another on here. Hiding behind a computer doesn't give people the right to be damn right rude and ignorant.

Your comment below is out of line.
'And clare, flipping a child at 9 months is not only horribly dangerous but illegal in many states as well. Wow.'

Not everyone on here lives in America - its true it is a wonderful place but some of us do live in other parts of the world. It is legal in the UK to have children forward facing from birth. The majority of car seats over here have quite low upper weight limits for rear facing. We have a convertabile style car seat for both our kids and turned them forward facing just before they reached the upper weight limit as it was just too difficult to get them in securely this way.

Other articles I have read show that you have a far better range of baby products available to you in the US which is fantastic. We have purchased the best we can for our kids. Every country has their own guidnace and for you to imply that its dangerous for my kids to be foward facing is out of line.

[icnee]

My oldest Rfer is now 5yrs and 4mo at 5 she had the choice of which way to face and she wanted to try FFing after a few rides she asked if she could go bacvk RFing cause she had no place to put her legs and in bothered her to have them hanging. Now she was not always RFing. When she was at 12 and 20 I did not know that it is safer to stay Rfing and so I turned her and then when I was carrying #5 I found out about ERFing and that the Sweades RF until 4yo old and some do for even longer, the more I leard about the spine devloping and crash forces the more I wanted to reRF her and at that point she was 38lbs and the was only one seat on the marlet here (at that time) the would RF to 40lbs I saw that as pointless to get so I bought one of the seats from sweaden ( just so no one thinks I am loaded with cash to sare you should know that I am disabled and unable to work so my income is very limited but I found a way) So at 3 1/2 she went back to RFing and she wa very excited about riding backwards.

NO I see alot of peopl think that legs are squished and that the kids are not comfy. well when she was FFing she would always cry on long and SHORT rides that her legs bum and lower back hurt (this is cause they were hanging,like if an adult were siting on a bar stool with nothing for their feet) whe she went back to RFing I did not hear a singal complaint from her about any thing hurting.

Now she rides in a sweadish Multi Tech and my 2 that are younger then her ride RFing in Complete Airs they have 40lb Rfing weight limits and of all the convertable out now they have the tallest shell height.

Like a pp said if you 13mo has knees in their chin your seat is probably not installed correctly and and most car seats can be installed any where from 45* -30 up right, newborns must be at 45* to keep their air way open mut an older baby that can support his/her head can be more toward the 30* up right angle, if you have your seat at the 45* angle and your baby is getting fussy and seems as though they dont like sitting backwasrds it is probaly that they would just like to sit up.

[Tamri]

It is legal in the UK to have children forward facing from birth.<<<

Just because it's legal, doesn't make it SAFE! It doesn't matter what country or state you are in. The laws of physics still apply. That's not rude, that's a fact.

[Audrey]

I would have to look up a statistic or two, but everyone who continues to point out that traffic accidents are the #1 killer of children in the US are forgetting one MAJOR thing: we drive SIGNIFICANTLY more in the US than they do elsewhere (Europe in particular). Most of us (if you live in a major city on the East Coast this doesn't apply as much) live in an area where public transportation is a joke, thus we HAVE to drive to get where we need to go. Of course our rates of fatal traffic incidents are higher - we have more traffic, we're often in it for longer, and we drive further. There's also a lot of research out there about US driving tendencies (road rage, rush-rush-rush, longer working hours, sleep deprivation, etc) that contribute to the higher likelihood of accidents in the US compared to some other places in the world.

I've lived in France, Mexico and the US, and I can say from experience that the US is ahead of, and behind, many countries regarding child safety in cars. In my particular car (a Jeep Grand Cherokee) I can't place my two Britax Marathon carseats rear facing, and have room for anything else. That means that if my husband, older child, toddler, and infant want to go somewhere, we'd have to take 2 cars....and we live 90 miles from the nearest Walmart (the nearest mall is 300 mi away). So jumping down someone's throat because they physically cannot place their children rear facing until age 4 is rude, and doesn't take their circumstances into account. We can't buy a new car - we, like most other people in the world, are suffering from a bad economy, and we're lucky to have a car that doesn't require payments now. Getting a new one would mean sacrificing things like food....not really a smart option is it.

I think it is all well and good for high-horse riders to chastise others about facing your child to the rear, and if you can, by all means do. But those of us who can't take every precaution we can. We purchased the Britax because of THREE recommendations from and ER doc, our pediatrician, and my FIL who is a life-flight paramedic. They all cited Britax seats as the ones they saw the best results from in regards to no or minor injuries to children. You do the best for your children, plain and simple. If anyone wants to buy me a new car so my kids can all sit rear facing, then please do. Until the government forces carseat manufactures to make safe seats that can all fit that way, or until they chose to provide me with a car, things will just have to keep going the way they are now. And no one should feel like a bad parent because they can't follow every recommendation that comes down the line. Think about how most of us in the US grew up - I had one car seat and rode in it until I was around 1 yr old. We barely wore seatbelts after that. My parents tell stories about riding in the back windows of cars. There's nothing wrong with protecting your children, but if you're going to fear-monger or make others feel badly about it then think about how to change it for everyone - not just those who are wealthy enough to jump on every new (or old, in other parts of the world) recommendation/trend.

[Linda]

This is a good point about the driving. We also drive faster than a lot of places and much larger cars. So the stats probably are a bit inflated. My first son was in a carseat rearfacing until until he was only 11 months and we turned him. Was the best decision? Probably not. Would I do it again? Probably not. People need to do what works best for their families. Just like breastfeeding or bottlefeeding. Is breastfeeding better and healthier for your child? Yes, it is! No one argues that. Is it right for everyone? No. And it may not be right for the whole time. And while I know this isn't really analogous because we're talking about car safety, there are other factors to consider. It's probably safer for your child to wear a helmet on the playground until he's 5 years old, but we don't do that. Should we? Maybe. I think that's pushing it a bit, but safety wise, that may be better. Is it safer for your child to sleep on his back? Yes, but I'm the first to admit my son was a tummy sleeper from an early age. What can you do?

I'm not trying to mock this. I just want people here to be respectful. These are guidelines from the AAP. If your budget allows for buying a carseat for this and you live in a city in Texas (the name I won't print but I fear it has THE worst driving in the country) with fast driving SUVs, you might rethink this. If you live in a suburb or out in the country where people drive 30 MPH back and forth to the grocery, this may not be a concern when your child is nearing 2. If you're city driving through narrow streets and going not much faster, this also may not be a concern.

Please do what is right for your family situation. I love hearing all the suggestions about how you can make it work and those who say, 'this just isn't going to fit my situation' right now. We all do what is best for your family.

[Lori]

After checking out the links to the Swedish car seat information I am so impressed with their car seats. They seem to be anchored in so securely. I wish we had options like that here in the US. Hopefully, with more support for ERF, we might someday.

[Michelle]

I have a 3 1/2 yr old, a 23-month old and a baby due any day. I think it's great that your children sit with their legs folded, but my 3 1/2 yr old has always sat with her legs out and she's got quite long legs. I don't remember how long they were at 2, but I know that in our Jetta, it would have been impossible to have two rear-facing seats at the same time. The passenger adult would have had to sit in the back seat, beside the children, because of the front passenger seat being so far moved up. In our van, it'd be a different story of course.

So I will be trying to adjust for each child. In our case, it simply wouldn't have been possible if we wanted a safe front passenger on our economy sedan.

[jean grow]

One of the points missed so far is that a great deal of childhood traffic deaths in the US involve NO CAR SEATS AT ALL. Seriously... my husband is very neurotic about 5-point harness use and proper installation because he has been one of the responding officers at multiple crashes involving pickups with both parents, 4 or five kids and no safety seats (or even lap belt use). It is very common in our amazingly expansive country for us to forget that there are many regions within the US that have strikingly different cultures. I also feel the need to add that every accident he has described to me involved alcohol. We are not talking about the type of parent who reads baby bunching blogs. There is a lot more of America out there than most of us has met.

[floral]

Worrying about the safety of their child is what most parents do. They tend to become “overprotective” and “over-acting” when it comes to child safety especially during long
drives. This fact leads us to one of the most important responsibilities of parents, choosing a car seat that will keep kids comfortable and secured.

[Evenflo Car Seats Online]

Child safety should be prioritize first. Child car seats are very important during travel. Thanks fr your advice. This is really so helpful. Keep sharing.

[Refuse Vehicle Repair]

Your child's convertible safety seat will be used numerous times for several years. It is wise to do your due diligence and ensure that your purchase is simple to use, fits your vehicle well, and can be washed easily on a regular basis.

[driving lessons redditch]

Thanks for the tips,We really care about the safety of our children and make sure that we really attend their needs specially guidance which make them feel comfortable and safe.

[car finance]

These are good tips on child safety in cars. You can never learn enough about this because the well-being of your kids should never be compromised.

[whiplash injury claim]

Auto Insurance in India deals with the insurance covers for the loss or damage caused to the automobile or its parts due to natural and man-made calamities. It provides accident cover for individual owners of the vehicle while driving and also for passengers and third party legal liability. There are certain general insurance companies who also offer online insurance service for the vehicle.

[car hire perth]

I think this is definitely a worthy investment. Shelling out a couple of dollars for a sigh of relief, in my opinion, is a smart move.

[Personal Injury Lawyer Las Vegas]

This is great idea. Always think for the benefits of other people especially the young ones. This guidelines for kids should be followed to avoid any problems and road accidents.

[ford bolton]

no matter what the law says, moms should keep their kids on rear seats. however, i beg to disagree that they must be facing the rear. we are suppose to check them every once in a while even while driving.