17.11.12

Rear facing Vs. Forward facing

I'm just going to say now... this is NOT a debate! I am most definitely NOT opening up that can of worms. This is all my OWN view.

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This decision plays on my mind A LOT. Some of you may or may not have read about my sister, i'm pretty hot on car safety. I make sure their straps are doubley tight and i HATE them in a coat in the car as that makes the straps that bit looser.

As it stands in Sweden, children HAVE to be in a rear facing car seat until they are 4 years old. Stats show that infant fatalities are near zero! Now does that not just say something? Hmmm..

With Harvey i waited until he was the right weight (9kg) to go into a forward facing car seat. I didn't really think anything of it and the same goes with Oliver. It just so happened they were both around the "right age" to move them. It was only after i changed Oliver over that i came accross this video...


To me, that says it all. But what happens when you have a stroppy baby who hates the car? What happens if you have a huge baby and their head and legs are hanging off the top and bottom? Do you make the change?

I mean, why put them in there early if its INCREASING the risk? Why, if you can have them rear facing and reduce the risk of death when in an accident, PUT THEM FORWARD? The thought baffles me. 

Elsie is a nightmare in the car. Screams and screams and she strains her neck so much so she can see about. I'm sure that putting her in a forward facing car seat would make all the difference. But she's teeny (i assume. i haven't actually had her weighed in yonks.) and her head definitely does not reach the top. So for now.. she can scream. And i will invest in some ear plugs.

When did you make the change, and why?

Thought of the day - trust your instinct.

8 comments:

  1. new[est] follower. loving this post and loving your blog. excited to keep following and reading along!

    stop by sometime!
    kalobandelise.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. My son is eight months old so we are nowhere near making the switch yet, but Husband and I have been having this debate for a while. We're still not sure what to do. Good post on a tough decision! I found you via the Weekend Social Mix Blog Hop and really like your design and content.

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  3. I had no idea about it with my first daughter and turned her when she fit the weight requirement. I'm going to do rear-facing as long as possible with my second though. Why not just be on the safe side? The world is a dangerous enough place.

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  4. My daughter is eight months and I am going to keep rear facing for as long as possible. I would really like to make it to the recommended two years in th US.

    Thank you so much for linking up to Raising Imperfection!
    Leslie
    www.violetimperfection.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. The US laws are very lax. I have followed them even though I have heard it it best to remain rear facing. I haven't found a seat that would allow my little girl to remain rear facing comfortably.

    Thanks for linking with Raising Imperfection this week!

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  6. I wonder if you read my post I had linked to Raising Imperfection today...You probably hated me! I do however believe that it is much safer to keep them rear facing as long as possible.
    Sweden is at 4 years, that is unbelievable. I know NY just passed a law that it is mandatory until 2.

    Thank you so much for linking up to Raising Imperfection today! Please come back Friday to see if you were featured! Happy Thanksgiving :)

    Lanaya
    www.raising-reagan.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. How about a high up rear facing? We have the britix first class plus and when we moved charlie into it (still rear facing) he could see a lot more. I also put a mirror in front of Rosa and angled it out of the window, so she can actually see out of the window whilst still low down and rear facing :)

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  8. I agree it's important to trust your instincts. Good post!

    I'm visiting from the Raising Imperfection Hop.

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I love to hear from you, i read every comment and try and reply to them al! Thank you for taking the time to read :)

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