How long do you plan to rear-face your child?
Do you know that
rear-facing as long as possible at least until the age of 2 years old and preferably up to maximum weight/height limits of their convertible car seat is the recommendation of the American
Academy of Pediatricians.
Rear-facing car seats are not considered a safety risk just because a child's legs are bent at the knees or because they can touch/kick the vehicle seat.
After writing this post I realized I would need to revise my post and include some information that might help others understand why we are trying to rear-face as long as possible. His legs being too long for the car seat has been questioned. I want you to think about this. In an accident that would be bad enough to break a child's legs it would be bad enough to break a child's neck. I would not want either to happen but if I would have to choose a broken leg can be fixed much easier than a broken neck.
If you are not sure that rear-facing is best for your child please watch the video below. I would like to hear what you think.
Rear-facing car seats are not considered a safety risk just because a child's legs are bent at the knees or because they can touch/kick the vehicle seat.
After writing this post I realized I would need to revise my post and include some information that might help others understand why we are trying to rear-face as long as possible. His legs being too long for the car seat has been questioned. I want you to think about this. In an accident that would be bad enough to break a child's legs it would be bad enough to break a child's neck. I would not want either to happen but if I would have to choose a broken leg can be fixed much easier than a broken neck.
If you are not sure that rear-facing is best for your child please watch the video below. I would like to hear what you think.
To ensure the safety of your child make sure your car seat is installed properly and the child fits the car seat by both weight and height. Please secure them properly a loose belt is not a safe belt.
As you can see by the photos. Pooh Bear is rear-facing and he will be two and a half the end of May. He is very tall for his age. We hope to keep him rear-facing at least until three.
Thank you for reading! I would love if you would share this post.You can find the twitter and facebook buttons below. You just never know you might even save a child's life by spreading the word.
Have a safe and happy week.
Just stopping over to say Hello!! I don't know anything about front and rear. When my Daughter was young, we didn't have to wear seat belts yet and we could hold the kids on our laps. Whew... thats been a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteI've always front faced the kids after they outgrew their carriers. I don't why I've never placed any of them rear facing. I should have but it's kind of too late for that. I will recommend it now though.
ReplyDeleteCecil was a 15 months old when we turned him around but the knowledge then and now are so different. They all look so cute!
ReplyDeleteIf I had small kids I would keep them in rear facing seats as long as possible. My mom remembers putting us kids on the floor when we were babies. I can't even imagine it. But I do remember my parents have a car without seatbelts. :)
ReplyDeleteIt has been quite a long time since my children were in car seats. In fact when they were, the rear facing seat was still belted into the FRONT seat. However, I would absolutely keep my child in a rear facing seat until he/she outgrew it. I saw that in one of your pics that your son's legs are off to the side and not infront of him. I would be afraid that if there were an accident ( God Forbid ) that he would get hurt since he is not sitting in a position that is recommended by the manufacturer of the seat. If you are in doubt, you can go to your local police department, hospital or fire department for advise or call the manufacturer.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, God Bless
myfreebi3s at yahoo dot com
Thanks for sharing this vital information.
ReplyDeleteWow! thanks for the information. I will pass it on to the young moms at my church
ReplyDeletemy son will be 2 in 2 weeks and is still facing backwards and most likely will continue because he is only 22 lbs. We will always follow our Ped's advise.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this story. It was so touching and so informative. Im going to share on my facebook ty.
ReplyDeletethis article was very informative..I wish all new parents could read.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had my daughter there wasn't even a seatbelt requirement. Long ago and far away... Sounds to me like keeping rear facing as long as possible is safer.
ReplyDeleteThat video was so educational and emotional. My husband is a fireman and tells me about preventable injuries like these. We have a little 5 month old and will be keeping her facing the rear A LOT longer! Thank you so much for sharing!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update and I believe everybody will want to do this because we all want to keep out children as safe as we can :)
ReplyDeleteThat video made me cry so sad :(
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was RF up until about 2.5 and my older son was at least three.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder about other trauma though. With a child whose legs are too long and they're bent up for extended periods of time where they can't stretch their legs you have to start worrying about blood clots which can also be deadly and silent to boot. Then depending on the impact of the crash and force with the child's legs being bend up i'd have to wonder if the crash wouldn't force the the leg up into the pelvis and possibly cause a spinal injury anyway. I work in a trauma hospital and I've seen so many different injuries and accidents and how they occur. I mean think about it, if someone would jump from a second story. the force of the landing if they landed on their feet at a minimum could break bones but i've also seen people that have had spinal injuries and even had their bones pushed up into causing internal trauma and bleeding. I'm not saying this is wrong at all. I just think that either way they're facing there's going to be a story to go along with it. One thing I've learned in my field is you never know what to expect
ReplyDeleteI don't currently have children but am pregnant and never knew this! Thank you for the advice.
ReplyDeleteI turned my daughter around at eight months.
ReplyDeletelanalbradstream(at)yahoo(dot)com
Things have changed so much since my girls were in seats 8 years ago. I kept them rear facing longer than was required. I definitely think it is a good idea
ReplyDeleteHave a good Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteRealities hurt so much :( but, thanks for reminding us of all the precautions we need to take.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is going to rearface until she is 2 and 1/2. Then the new baby will arrive and we need the rear facing seat for him! Thanks for the informative article.
ReplyDeleteWow I'm so sorry to hear (read) this. All my kids are all grown, but we kept them in a rear facing seat until it said with all of our children.
ReplyDeleteOur current problem is with our oldest they want to seat in the front seat and I won't let them they're still so small.
My husband and I read that with my current weight I need to be in a booster seat, so all of our kids are pretty small so we do keep booster seats (no I'm not in one) :)
Thanks for the info, my prayers and thoughts go out for you and your family
I am not sure what that is as i have kids grown now, I have a good God though and i know he is with you and yours. My prayers are with you if i may pray. Sure wish those lil arms were around my neck as i lost my mmom in January and its so lonly haveing no one to talk to. I am disabled so stop me before i get started .Jesus looks after children an i know hes with yours
ReplyDeleteGod Bless Marylou Sakosky
still facing backwards at almost 3 years old
ReplyDeleteGlad my kids are grown. No need to worry anymore. :D
ReplyDeletehttp://www.foreverateenonline.blogspot.com
My youngest son is nearly 18 months and will remain rear facing til at least 2 and out grows the RF weight limits of his carseat.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the in for and the stories.
ReplyDeleteMy boys were both rear facing until 1...it wasn't until we had switched them that they really started encouraging parents to leave their children rear facing until at least 2. If we have another little one, I do plan to keep them rear facing longer.
ReplyDeletelots of info, that last picture is so cute:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info.
ReplyDelete