I got our car seat inspected today (DS just graduated to convertible car seat!) by state-certified technicians. Turns out I was one of the 83% of people who had not properly installed the car seat (it was too loose.) Anyway ... the technicians said that I should take down the mirror on the rear seat headrest that allows me to see DS, who's still rear-facing. The mirror could become a projectile in a crash and even though it's not real glass, it could break and have sharp edges. I drove home with no mirror back there, but it was really disconcerting to not be able to see DS. What are folks' thoughts about this?
-
We use a mirror that sounds similar to yours. I don't think I would feel comfortable not having it. I'm going to forget I read this!
-
My cousin had a near fatal reaction to egg that my aunt caught by looking at him the mirror. I have one and will have one until LO is front facing,
-
I know they aren't the safest, but I still want one because I'm paranoid about SIDS in car seats and I have a long commute to and from work, so LO will be in the car 2 hours a day when I go back to work.
-
We use a mirror!
-
They told me that same thing when we got our car seat installed. I decided that not being able to see her was a bigger risk than the chance of a secured, padded edged, plastic mirror becoming a projectile. Plus right now looking at the baby in yhe mirror is her favorite thing ever and keeps her calm. I do check it regularly to make sure it's secure though.
-
my mom is a tech and takes mirrors out of cars frequently. i've never had one for my nanny LOs and won't have one or allow anyone to drive our someday LOs with one. not worth it to me. but lots of ppl are super anxious without one and that makes them distracted drivers, which is also unsafe. i guess maybe try to go without it, but if you find yourself trying to twist and look back or getting very distracted without it, then maybe it would be safer to put it back.
-
Hmmm. Well, our Britax mirror is secured both vertically and horizontally around the headrest. I'm fairly confident that it will stay put.
-
@Anagram: i've heard you can use the halo monitor in the carseat! that might be a great way to monitor for SIDS while on your long commute when it might be hard to tell just from a quick glance in the mirror if LO is breathing
-
Ours is completely strapped to the head rest so I can't really see how it could become a projectile. We were told that when we had our seat inspected as well but we kept the mirror. They also told us not to use sunshades for the same reason. We still use them, otherwise dd would scream the entire car ride bc of the sun in her face.
-
@oliviaoblivia: I've read horror stories of babies being in danger in the backseat for one reason or another and the mirrors saving their lives. I think the pros outweigh the cons, too.
@mrs.bird: Thanks for your input. Right now I feel more comfortable with the mirror there because DS is new to the convertible seat and kind of slouches over in it when he falls asleep, so it gives me peace of mind to be able to glance back and see that he's breathing.
-
We don't have one, and I'm kind of glad for it. I think I would be too obsessed watching them, and to me (just my opinion! For me, and for no one else!) it seems a little over the top.
-
We didn't have one for our LO when he was rear facing. The car seat tech and parenting instructor both said the same thing and advised against it. Since I never had it from day one I didn't know what I was missing out on.
-
We were also advised not to use one so we've never had one. On top of the projectile hazard (which I can't fully justify because I have a bunch of other stuff in my car, too) I think it would be distracting to me to be looking back and checking on him all the time.
-
I never had one so I don't find them necessary. There have been moments when I have wished I could see though.
-
I never had one....I sort of wanted one but DH nixed the idea...said it would be too distracting for me, LOL. I thought it would be good enetertainment for LO (she looooves the mirror!) but as she falls asleep 5 seconds into the car ride I guess it doesn't really matter!
-
We have one that is secured vertically and horizontally so I'm not worried about it. I like being able to see DD and I think with all the talk recently of accidentally leaving babies in cars, they're just another safety measure to ensure you don't forget your baby is back there. Every time you look in the rear view mirror, you can't help but see the baby.
I'll continue using it until LO is forward facing as the benefits outweigh the risk in my opinion, especially when it is strongly secured to a seat.
-
We use one, we just have it tied down more.
-
We have one. We were told the same thing by a technician, but we still use it. Honestly, I'd be more concerned about our stroller or baby bag becoming projectiles. The mirror weighs next to nothing and it's not even real glass.
-
Ours is secured with LATCH behind the headrest in the backseat - I also don't think it's going anywhere!!
Also - my child HATED the car. I mean detested, loathed, and despised. Screamed like he was being tortured for the first 9 months. It was awful. I had bad anxiety bringing him anywhere, so it helped a lot to have the mirror. And it still does. It's worth it to me.
-
It's a calculated risk. For me, it's worth it. Like @Pepper said, I'd be more worried about the stroller, baby bag, purse, groceries, etc. I can't keep my baby in a bubble so there will be risks in everything we do. For me, the peace of mind of knowing he is ok is worth the minute risk that the fake, plastic mirror could break.
-
Funny, I specifically asked my husband to ask at our car seat check if it was an issue and the lady told him no.
The chances of something bad happening because of the mirror is so slim, I don't see it being an issue.
-
I don't have one
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
22 comments