When did you turn your kids forward facing?

Question

My one year old is 30 pounds & 33 inches. Forward facing her has crossed my mind, since she is cramped up rear facing, she’s all leg no torso lol.
I planned to keep her rear facing longer, but I just don’t know if it’s going to work. She screams bloody murder every time we get in the car, and she pulls at her legs.
Where I am at, it is legal to forward face at 12 months if the child is 20 pounds

Answer

My LO is 33 lbs and somewhere around 39 inches at 2.5 years and she’s still rear facing. Does she like it? Most of the time, no. Because she hates being restrained and not part of what’s happening. Am I going to turn her car seat around any time soon? No way, because it is so much safer rear facing!!! I get a lot of pressure from friends and family, including my husband, but I just don’t care! There’s (proven) statistics and my daughters well being is so much more important than anyone’s opinion, I clouding hers 🤷‍♀️

Answer

You should probably be checking the laws where you live. A lot of states in the US have a law that they rear face to the minimum of 2 years.  The AAP recommends rear facing to 4 or as close to it because there are vertebrae in the neck that aren’t fused together until the age of 4 and the risk of internal decapitation is high (it’s an age thing, size of child doesn’t matter). Most car seat manufacturers recommended rear facing until your child outgrows the limit (either weight or height).
My car seat can rear face up to 50lbs.

Answer

My 2.5 year old is still rear facing.  She will be until she meets the weight requirements in her seat and then she will be switched forward. It’s so much safer for them. As for leg room they find ways to get comfortable.  I’d rather my kid have a broken leg than a head injury or spine injury .

Answer

It’s safer to keep them rear facing for as long as possible BUT it’s extremely unsafe for you to be driving while stressed and distracted because your child is screaming. Where I’m from its legal to turn them at 6 months, both my kids hated the car but I waited until 1 because their neck strength was a lot better then.

Answer

Rear face until she meets the height/weight requirements. It’s more beneficial to keep them rear facing until at least 2 years old. I promise you, she’s not cramped back there. Put her safety first.

Answer

My 15 month old is about 20 pounds (small) but even if he was bigger no way in hell would he be forward facing. I plan to keep him rear facing until he's at least 2 if not 3 or older. It's safer, stick to your guns

Answer

My 1 (almost 2) year old is 33 inches and about 26 lbs. Still rear facing and will be for a while. AT LEAST until she’s 2! When I think about the impact of a car accident and look at her body, she is really small. It’s safer for her to be rear facing even if she’s a little cramped. There are tons of places her legs can go and she’s figuring out how to be comfortable.

Answer

He’ll be rear facing until he maxes out his carseat. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

Safest is at least 2. Does your seat possibly have an extender base you can look into getting? I know Graco makes one

Answer

I would check the laws in your area and also the information that came with your car seat before doing anything. 
My daughter is only 4.5 months and 10.5 pounds and 24 inches tall so we wont be forward facing for quite some time lol

When did you turn your kids forward facing?

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