https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:31:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1364357 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:26:15 +0000 Kemma 1364357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: I'm in nz and all our seats are designed to be flipped at twelve months based on shoulder height markings that are given on the seats and the Britax seats no longer have specified height and weight limits. Interestingly enough, my LO should be able to rear face for at least another few months because she has over an inch left between her shoulders and the markers (she's fifteen months and 80.5cm tall).</p> <p>On another note, surely the place you rented your seat from should be able to supply you with the manual?? That sounds incredibly lax and even dangerous that they don't! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363249 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:35:02 +0000 erwoo 1363249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: I have Diono car seats from the U.S. and they have a angle adjuster for rear facing and I use it behind the drivers seat and it's suppose to give the front passenger an extra 5" of space. Even with that on the driver seat is is touching the top of the car seat when my husband drives. Kind of sucks but it's what works for us and I haven't read anywhere about the 3 finger rule either. I thought it would make it safer since it's sort of wedge in. They have top tethers to stabilize car seats so I thought having it wedged in is okay since we can't find anything to use the top tether on RF. We use the top tether for the other one that is FF though. Gosh, good luck and hope you find a comfortable and safe solution for all of you! And good luck on the move! We (sort of) just moved overseas with two kids and it was wild. :) Oh, and just today I saw a maybe 4/5 month old sitting on the lap of an elderly person in the front seat of a car. How crazy was that?! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363246 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:32:51 +0000 LovelyPlum 1363246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: it's crazy how much there is to consider! I think what's hard is that all things being equal, RF is safer. What's harder to determine is what's safer when all things *aren't* equal! Whatever decision you make, though, you should feel good that a) you've been able to RF as long as you have already, and b) you're spending the time to research this and make an educated decision. I know you'll make the best choice for you and your family :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363243 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:29:25 +0000 Ree723 1363243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Thanks for that! Just found it and the instruction manual is online. It says the base cannot touch the front seat, especially in hot climates. We live in the tropics, and it's summer, so definitely won't be letting them touch! Just need to find definitive info on exactly how much space is required... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363223 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:13:57 +0000 looch 1363223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: that photo you posted...check out Britax Australia for more info on the seat you're renting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363221 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 08:11:39 +0000 Ree723 1363221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok, so I've read our Safety 1st manual cover to cover and it makes no mention whatsoever about whether or not the seat can touch. Awesome. It does specify though that at 12 months babies should no longer be rear facing. I swear, Australia is so behind the times on car seat safety! I get so many comments and strange looks for having my toddler rear facing. The law says six months only and that's what nearly everyone does, which I just find nuts! </p> <p>Our rental capsule doesn't come with a brochure, but it's the brand Safe-n-Sound (Britax's Aussie label), no model name, so I'll give them a call tomorrow to ask. Right now we're leaning towards pushing the seats back so they're very nearly touching the car seats and seeing how that goes for driver comfort.</p> <p>@Mrsjets: I know! It's crazy that so many of us Junebug mamas have another on the way now! Hope your pregnancy is going well! </p> <p>@Kemma: That's a great link, thanks for sharing!</p> <p>@mrskc: Oh gosh yes, definitely! The quote I read of "we can mend broken legs, we can't mend broken necks" has stuck with me ever since I first read an article about ERF. When I was referring to legs being squished, I was talking about DH being physically incapable of fitting his legs in the car under the steering wheel with the way the seats are now :-)</p> <p>@Dandelion: @lemondrop: @beaker: @LovelyPlum: I definitely agree with you ladies that the driver being able to drive safely and maintain control of the car is of the utmost importance! Obviously avoiding an accident altogether and doing everything possible to minimise the chances of getting into one full stop is our objective. I'm just hoping we can find a way to make it work RF, but if not, so be it!</p> <p>Thanks for all the advice and suggestions everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363178 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 07:25:56 +0000 looch 1363178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I own a Swedish Britax (one of the longest rear facing seats on the market ) and for that seat, there are specific rules as to whether the seat can touch the one in front or not.</p> <p>Follow the rules of the seat and the manufacturer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363147 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 05:38:56 +0000 Beyond2 1363147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're going to have the same dilemma when LO2 arrives in April. I just wanted to add that sitting too close to the dash can be a safety hazard should the airbags ever deploy. I know it's not helpful to add another factor but it maybe something to consider. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363138 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 04:12:24 +0000 Dandelion 1363138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that the driver being uncomfortable and lacking the space you need to drive efficiently is pretty hazardous. I would flup her so that you can have optimal control of the car. A forward facing seat in a car under control is more safe than a rear facing sear in a car that lacks control. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363135 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 03:46:19 +0000 Kemma 1363135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://www.carseat-safety.com/choosingthebestlocation.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.carseat-safety.com/choosingthebestlocation.html</a></p> <p>Found the above link on the net! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363101 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 01:23:57 +0000 Mrsjets 1363101@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey :) I still can't believe we will both have 2 LO's shortly! </p> <p>I'm flipping DS (20 months) FF and moving him behind the driver when we install the infant seat for DD (due March 1). I've been struggling with getting him in (its a truck so it's a lift, duck, turn motion) being pregnant but stuck it out hoping to get through winter RF. </p> <p>Do what you feel is right. Congrats again :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363088 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 01:07:56 +0000 lemondrop 1363088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To me, if the driver isn't sitting safely and comfortably, then nobody in the car is safe. I would switch her to forward facing and live life normally- I wouldn't restrict who drives or limit where you go. </p> <p>Rear facing is a great goal, but not always realistic for everyone and can go a little far. We kept C rear facing until around 20 months, but I had to give in and turn him around because it just got to be too much lifting him into his seat while being pregnant. Our lives are so much simpler now that he can climb in without help, I'm really happy we made the switch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363062 Tue, 21 Jan 2014 00:00:18 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 1363062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Pretty sure I'm the only mom on HB who FFd at 12 months, per the law. I think it's great you made it as long as you did, but if you're driving uncomfortably I would think it's safer to just flip her around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363017 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 23:12:26 +0000 mrskc 1363017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: I would definitely check the manual and even call Safety 1st and ask them. And from my RF research, I thought it was perfectly acceptable for their legs to be squished? A broken leg is better than a snapped neck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363002 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 22:55:54 +0000 Navy_Mommy 1363002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is from the CPST I literally trust my kids' lives with. </p> [attach=1264/14/mzqg97.337x600.PicsArt_1390276450862.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1363000 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 22:54:05 +0000 Ree723 1363000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all your opinions! Sticking with RF is what makes me feel most comfortable but the technician also pointed out that driving without enough leg room is hazardous as well, so now that has me worried too. Gee, thanks car seat tech for reassuring this heavily pregnant mama!</p> <p>As for the car seats, the infant seat has been rented from the ambulance service as infant seats here only go up to six months and it's so much more practical to rent than buy. Coincidentally, the law here says babies only need to be rear facing until six months as well!! Crazy! Because of the renting, we don't have a choice in the particular seat, they are all the same and yes, it is a bigger model. I've attached a picture below.</p> <p>As for our DD, we have a Safety 1st that is pretty midrange size I think. Again, I don't want to buy a new one that is potentially smaller as Australian car seat standards are ridiculously lax and they don't use the LATCH/Isofix system. In fact, any car seat using Latch is considered illegal and a breach of standards, argh... So any car seat I bought here, would not work in the UK or US (we're moving to one of the two), and I don't really want to spend a few hundred dollars on something that is potentially inferior and can't be used once we move anyway!</p> <p>I will go downstairs in a bit and grab the manual from the car for the Safety 1st. The three fingers rule sounds a bit much to me as well but she said the seat needs room to move in the event of an accident so as not to cause whiplash. I may go middle of the road here and move the seats back as far as we can whilst leaving a tiny bit of space, but certainly not the three fingers rule. Perhaps not ideal, but better than the other two options, maybe?</p> <p>[attach=1312/14/mzqg6n.600x600.image.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362992 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 22:46:00 +0000 LovelyPlum 1362992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know...if the carseat position compromises the ability of the driver to potentially operate the car safely, I'm not entirely sure that the benefits of RF outweigh the risks. After all, it is not just a comfort thing for the driver-you have to have freedom to move your legs to operate the pedals in an instant. If this were me and DH, I think we would at least have a serious conversation about flipping the carseat. (Take that for what it is worth,though, as LO is still kn the way.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362988 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 22:41:05 +0000 coopsmama 1362988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely think it would be worth checking the carseat manual to see what it says. The three finger width rule sounds incredibly arbitrary to me. </p> <p>It would also be really important to me to keep LO rear facing for as long as possible! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362975 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 22:23:57 +0000 Kemma 1362975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What does your carseat manual say? I have a Britax seat and the manual states the front seat can touch the carseat but shouldn't alter its position! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362971 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 22:21:31 +0000 Sapphiresun 1362971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yikes... I drive a compact car and pretty much sit with my face in the windshield just to squeeze in "not touching"... no advice, but definitely going to have to research further! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362960 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 22:13:17 +0000 jedeve 1362960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you are going to sacrifixe something, how important is the three inches really? I honestly have no idea. But it seems like that is less unsafe than forward facing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362957 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 22:12:47 +0000 cheesetomywhine 1362957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never heard the 3 fingers width rule. I am under the assumption that as long as the car seat isn't touching then you are fine. I'd check your manual to see if it says. I believe mine says just to not touch...otherwise the seat wouldn't fit at all! My DH is cramped with the seat so I am now the driver until we get another car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362942 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 22:05:49 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1362942@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had this same conundrum as we have a sedan and DH is pretty tall so he was used to having the seat all the way back. In the end we decided to keep the kids RF and DH has mostly gotten used to it. It's not ideal but it is what it is and we also won't be getting another car until we move later this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362939 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 22:05:05 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1362939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly---nothing could get me to FF before 2. I'd choose squished.<br /> Or try to drive everywhere for the next 5m until you can FF your eldest. I believe she is tall? But she is thin, so maybe keep her longer than 24m as well? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362930 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 21:58:46 +0000 blackbird 1362930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would keep rear facing and be squished. I'm 5'11" and you get used to it, even if it's not optimal. It's only a few months, after all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362916 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 21:52:22 +0000 mrskc 1362916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would keep your dd rear facing. For me personally I wouldn't be comfortable forward facing at that age. Is there any way you can find a car seat for her that wouldn't lean back as far? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362915 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 21:52:11 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1362915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is the car seat in between the seats?</p> <p>EDIT: crap just saw you are waiting for baby dos! Stupid me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362912 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 21:51:05 +0000 brownie 1362912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Once you go forward facing, it is really hard (near impossible to go back). If you are moving in a few months it may be worth it to make it work. It is ultimately up to you because it seems as if neither is a really optimal situation. Is a different carseat an option? A cheap cosco may work better than what you have and it would only be a stop gap for the few more months. </p> <p>Also check you manuals for the car and the carseat to see how much space between the seat and the front seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-vs-optimal-driving-position#post-1362892 Mon, 20 Jan 2014 21:34:41 +0000 Ree723 1362892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a big proponent of extended rear facing car seats and was really, really hoping to make it to at least two, preferably beyond, with DD rear facing. All thanks to HB as I'd had no idea about how much safer it is until reading a number of threads on here! :-)</p> <p>Anyway, I went to have the infant capsule for baby #2 installed this morning and the car seat tech informed me that we have the front seat too close to DD's car seat - there needs to be at least three fingers width between the end of her seat and the front seat. We'd had maybe a centimetre (half an inch) between them, if that. I knew they couldn't be wedged in but I thought any amount of space was ok. Apparently it's not, and the same rule applies for the infant capsule as well. The two car seats can't be touching each other either so we have DD behind the passenger seat and the capsule behind the driver's seat, leaving about half of a middle seat available between them.</p> <p>Now, I'm 5'8 and in order to have the driver's seat far enough away from the infant seat, there is just barely enough room for me to drive fairly comfortably. I'd prefer the seat back another inch or so but would be ok with where it is. DH on the other hand is 6'3 and there is absolutely no way he will be able to squeeze into the driver's seat, much less drive, with the seat where it is. It will be the same if he's in the passenger seat and I'm driving as his knees will be squashed against the glove box at an awkward angle....if he can even get himself in.</p> <p>So far as I can see, our options are for me to be the sole driver as I can drive somewhat comfortably, although DH will be crammed in the passenger seat quite uncomfortably. Or we can flip our 19 month old DD to forward facing behind the driver's seat, giving us plenty of room to adjust the driver's seat accordingly. When DH and I go somewhere together, he always drives, so it would be me sitting in the less spacious passenger seat on occasion, which is fine as I obviously wouldn't be quite as crammed in as he would be.</p> <p>What would you do? Keep both RF but risk a potentially more hazardous driving situation due to neither driver being in their optimal driving position? Or turn DD forward facing to keep the driver comfortable? </p> <p>PS. We have a Rav4, I know it's not a big car but I didn't think it was THAT small! Also, we're moving overseas in the next few months and will be selling the car, so buying a new one right now is not an option, we only need to make this work for a short while. </p>