https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:00:46 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1354173 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 16:43:21 +0000 blackbird 1354173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would most certainly get another car seat and continue to rear face after 1 year of age. FF at that age is statistically less safe. Period. If you don't want the seat you have to go to waste, I'm sure someone in need could benefit from it. </p> <p>You asked a question and people gave their opinion on what THEY would do in a non-judgmental way, suggesting videos and such to further your research. So YOU can decide what is right for you. Nobody's crucifying you, people are giving you tools to help you make an informed decision....</p> <p>And, honestly, if this many people are saying OMG IT'S A BAD IDEA....maybe it's worth a second thought </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1353811 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 15:06:06 +0000 hilsy85 1353811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Candy_nee: I don't think anyone was judging, as there are many ppl who do ff at 1 yr, and it's obviously your decision as you are the parent. I think we were all just giving our opinion, which you asked for, and giving information as to why our opinion is what it is.</p> <p>As for your comment about ff at 1 being safe, Maybe it is minimally safe--as in better to have the child harnessed than now at that age. But rf is much safer--so if possible why not be safer, is how I think about it. And honestly there are lots of seats you can find on a budget that will allow you to rf another yr. anyway, I hope you are able to come to a decision that you and your dh are happy with--it does suck to not be able to use a brand new seat that you have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1353552 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 14:03:54 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1353552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Candy_nee: ok so, I just read your comment about buying a seat with ERF. I have to say, the combi isn't "classified" as an ERF seat but it could really work (its limits are: 33lbs and 36 inch RF). That may not be as much as other seats that are considered ERF, but my son was also 22lbs at 10m, and 24lbs at 12m and is now 25.5lbs at 15m, so I think we will def make it to 2 years (or more!) with our combi RF. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1353535 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 14:00:52 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1353535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This video is for anyone in the future reading this thread who is interested or who would like motivation:<br /> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8gU9zzCGA8</a></p> <p>OP-I'd probably get a smaller car seat. We have the Combi cocorro and it is SO SMALL and even fits in my husband's 4 seater, bucket seat sports car, very comfortably.<br /> We do have a bigger one (was also a baby shower gift) but it is too big to rear face because like you said, it has to be reclined. So, we only plan on taking that out of the box and using it when we plan on forward facing, which will be when he is 2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1353520 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 13:58:33 +0000 Candy_nee 1353520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you to everyone who commented with helpful suggestions and without judging or telling me what to do with my own child. I get that we all have very strong opinions on various child raising issues. However, I do not appreciate those of you telling me what to do with my own child. While it is safer to rear face for longer, it is not unsafe to turn forward facing at 1 year old (or the height/weight limits of the particular carseat). While, yes, I did pose a question on what you all would do, I did not expect to be crucified for suggesting that I may turn him forward facing at 12 months. So, feel free to continue to comment or tell me to watch horrifying videos or whatever. I'm no longer going to check this thread. I do right by my child each and every day and have his safety and well being in the forefront of my mind each and every second of every day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1353474 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 13:48:05 +0000 heartonastring 1353474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Candy_nee: Please don't forward face at 12 months! </p> <p>I second the other bees who recommended joining the FB group Car Seats for the Littles. There are techs who can help you there if you post your question - be sure to include the make/model of your car and your child's age, height, weight and shirt size. In their files, they also have a list of techs by region, so you can find one close to you who can help you with the install and teach you how to install yourself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1353427 Thu, 16 Jan 2014 13:38:45 +0000 Candy_nee 1353427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: Thanks! I was looking into the Graco Myfit 65 (or something like that), so I'm glad to hear a similar model is good and will fit in a similar size vehicle (I drive a Ford Escape). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350756 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 17:04:08 +0000 loveisstrange 1350756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Candy_nee: You should look into the Graco My Size 70/Headwise/Size4Me. It's not a "trendy" seat, but it's got very tall RFing limits, great reviews, easy to use and install, and it's very budget friendly. I have mine installed in my Honda CRV, which is a small SUV. It fits beautifully. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350607 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 16:17:30 +0000 Candy_nee 1350607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ideally if we're going to have to buy another seat, I'd rather just spring for one that has extened rear facing. But, that is a great idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350532 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 15:54:32 +0000 danda 1350532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Weagle: Ah I didn't know. Just that I saw it frequently mentioned on Car Seats for the Littles as a cheap seat but without ability for extended rear-facing...so I thought maybe it wasn't as big. Thanks for clarifying! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350493 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 15:41:14 +0000 Weagle 1350493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@danda: The Scenera is VERY reclined rear-facing. Almost like an infant seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350466 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 15:35:28 +0000 danda 1350466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does it still have to be fully reclined for rear facing over 22 pounds? You might be able to get a cheap convertible (Cosco Scenera?) to use short-term until you are able to adjust the recline. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350403 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 15:17:45 +0000 brownie 1350403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are correct that the law says 1 year old and it would be easy and cheaper to forward face. The APA and the NTHSB both recommend rear facing until 2 years old. Many people do forward face at 1 year old. Take a moment, look up a few crash test videos of forward and rear facing carseats. Then make up your own mind after doing the research. </p> <p>I plan to rear face my son until he absolutely can no longer be rear facing. Those videos are information are very scary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350377 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 15:10:34 +0000 Candy_nee 1350377@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Weagle: Thanks for the helpful suggestion of trying it in DH's car even though it is smaller. Honestly, although it seems like a no brainer, we hadn't thought of that.</p> <p>It's not that I'm against buying another seat. If we could sell this one, which I am trying to do, we absolutely will buy a new one. I just don't want to have a perfectly good, brand new seat go to waste if it doesn't have to. I do not intend to sit in the back seat of my own car. We will find a solution that works best for us, all while keeping our child safe. Which, is the main concern for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350341 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 15:03:18 +0000 twinmama 1350341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree to check out the car seats for the littles fb group. They are really helpful with recs tailored to your lo's stature and your vehicle. The techs there actually recommend RFing until 4 when their spines are more fully fused. We bought seats (radians) that would allow our kids to rf as long as possible and minimize the number of seats needed (hopefully this will be the only convertible that they need rf&amp;ff). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350326 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 15:01:19 +0000 Weagle 1350326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I echo others' suggestions, and just wanted to add that it could fit in your DH's car even if it is smaller. Lo's seat fits very well in several friends' smaller cars without having to move the seat like I have to in my car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350316 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:58:31 +0000 looch 1350316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I mentioned it before, but you could sit in the back, too. I realize people hate this, but if you don't want to buy another seat, it could work in the short term. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350297 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:56:11 +0000 hilsy85 1350297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: I agree. </p> <p>It's really a no-brainer, IMO--it is MUCH MUCH safer for LOs to rear face as long as possible, and at least til 2. There are plenty of smaller less expensive seats that would allow your LO to rearface at least another year. What is your budget and what is your LO's height/weight? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350274 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:52:21 +0000 MsLipGloss 1350274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unless you can't afford to replace the seat at this time (and you need the seat right now), I don't understand why you seem so against buying another seat? </p> <p>I get that it is frustrating/a pain and that car seats are expensive at least initially - although they're not when you consider the long-term use of the seat, and average the cost over months of use. . . it comes out to less than most people pay for their cell phones each month, even on really cheap plans. This is just one area I can't see compromising on . . . so many other things for LOs aren't necessities . . . but for a LO who is in a car on a daily basis, a safe seat is a necessity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350232 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:43:20 +0000 kiddosc 1350232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you go to a toys r us or babies r us they will let you take the display seats out to your car to see how they will fit. I have a Mazda 3, which is a small sadan and found that the Graco mysize 70 fits reasonable well. </p> <p>Car seat safety techs will tell you to rear face to the limits of the seat, not at a specific age. The rear facing limit on the seat we have is 40lbs, and it also has the highest rear facing height limit on the market. This will allow us to rear face well past the age of two. A child's bone and muscle structure cannot adequately handle the forces of a crash when forward facing until closer to the age of 4 actually. Check out the FB page car seats for the littles, they have TONS of information, even if they are a little pushy sometimes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350226 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:41:53 +0000 Candy_nee 1350226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: Because it was purchased for us about a yearish ago, so it's past Amazon's return policy.</p> <p>@Kemma: We have another seat that goes up to 70 lbs that we will use in one of our cars. So, we'd like another one that he can use for a while as well. And, definitely no second babies in the near future! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350221 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:41:10 +0000 loveisstrange 1350221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I absolutely agree to buy a new carseat that fits correctly in your car. RFing is much safer, generally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350220 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:40:57 +0000 LuLu Mom 1350220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I woudl also sell/return it. If it came off your registry you should be able to take it back? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350215 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:40:05 +0000 Kemma 1350215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Candy_nee: can you hold on to the current seat for future use when LO does forward face but purchase a new seat that will work rearfacing for you? I was also thinking that if you have another LO you'll need two seats anyway </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350203 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:36:48 +0000 Smurfette 1350203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Candy_nee: Why can't you return it if you haven't used it yet? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350184 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:34:10 +0000 Candy_nee 1350184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, I should have been a little clearer. In no way was I going to forward face him at 10 months. We still have him in his infant seat (that goes up to 35 pounds and 32 inches. We're still well below that). The absolute earliest we would have switched him is at 12 months. Even if he had outgrown his infant seat prior to that, he would remain rear facing.<br /> The seat in question is a Safety1st Complete Air 65. He could have gone in it at 5 lbs. He can forward face at 20 lbs, should we choose to. He can also use the car up to 65 lbs. I know there is a limit on rear facing, but I don't know that limit off the top of my head at the moment.<br /> The issue here is that we have a brand spanking new, expensive carseat. We can't really use it as an alternate b/c DH has a smaller vehicle than I do. And, unfortunately I'm too tall to sit in the front seat when it's pushed all the way forward. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350183 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:33:48 +0000 bunnylove08 1350183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would get another seat. Could you get an angle adjustor for your seat. </p> <p>We have a diono and they have angle adjustors and a lot of parents say with it they got back a couple of inches. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350116 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:18:47 +0000 bushelandapeck 1350116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with PP's to buy a new seat. I wouldn't be comfortable switching to FF until at least 2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350103 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:15:09 +0000 MsLipGloss 1350103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would absolutely not RF at 10 months or at 12 months either. And if it took buying another seat to keep LO RF until 2 (or as close to it as possible), that's what I would do.</p> <p>As an aside, it was in in April of 2011 that the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) advised parents to keep toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they exceed the height or weight limit for the car seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/carseat-question-2#post-1350089 Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:11:57 +0000 lawbee11 1350089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would get a new one. I just wouldn't feel comfortable forward facing before 2. There are tons of convertible seats so I'm sure you could find one that fits your car better! </p>