I just purchased LO's convertible carseat but was wondering when to put her forward-facing. She is 14months and is well under the max weight for rear-facing (8-40lbs) but she walks unassisted and over a year old, which are two factors I've read to turn the child forward-facing.
LO is little and light so should I just keep her rear-facing for as long as she needs?
grapefruit / 4110 posts
The academy of pediatrics and the transportation authority both recommend keeping infants rear facing until at least 2 years old. My LO is 17 months old and still rear facing (he just passed 20 pounds). California law is 1 year old and 20 pounds to legally go forward. Personally, I plan to keep LO rear facing until he is 40 pounds. It is the safest position.
GOLD / pear / 1845 posts
I kept Toddler Girl rear facing until about...29 months? I wanted to keep her rear facing as long as she was happy (and she was) and we could manage it in our car. We would have had to turn her when Wonder Baby gets into a convertible seat because we can only fit one Radian rear facing in our vehicle. I turned her because she kicked the seat belt holding her seat in and popped it open.
All my friends thought I was nuts, but it's much safer and she was happy. I'll be leaving Wonder Baby rear facing past two years as well.
Check out this video, little kids heads are so heavy compared to their bodies that it's possible for them to internally decapitate in a crash!:
As a side note, I have no idea when Toddler Girl will hit 40 lbs, but it probably won't be for another year or two so I couldn't wait for that.
pomelo / 5178 posts
DD was about 20 months. I wanted to wait until 2, but she was getting cramped and uncomfortable by then. The longer, the better, imo.
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
We turned her forward facing when she turned 1. The recommendation's 2 yrs, but everyone's happier in the car when she's forward facing 
coconut / 8305 posts
I want to say I turned DS when he was 1. This was before the updated recommendation... Now, we'll probably play it by ear to see how DD does.
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
I say that as long as it's considered safest, why not! If she's happy and content.
I know some babies are longer and get uncomfortable rear-facing, but it sounds like baby Rubies fits just fine.
I think the recommendation is to 2 years??
honeydew / 7488 posts
I kept LO#1 rear facing until 1, but that was until AAP changed their recc to 2yr. So for LO#2 we are rear facing until 2.
But he hates it so we'll see if it lasts!
grapefruit / 4049 posts
If she's still comfortable rear-facing, keep her that way as long as possible! It really is the safest for them. it better protects the spinal cord during a crash. I kept my first toddler rear-facing til 4 yo!! You Tube "rear facing car seats"... lots of info and demos there on how it's safer.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
We will keep her RF until 2 (24 months) and hopefully longer. Yes she is tall and her legs will be scrunched but I would rather her neck be safe. It is one of those simple, free, and easy precautions I can take so why wouldn't I?
pear / 1861 posts
Baby Bear is 14 months tomorrow. She'll stay rear facing until 2. There is a plastic mirror in the back where I can look at her and she enjoys looking at herself. She's vain.lol
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
My son is 21 months and he'll be rearfacing until he's at least 40 pounds. He doesn't know anything other than rearfacing and he can still see out of the window just fine.
coconut / 8299 posts
Shortly after he turned 1. He was starting to hate facing the back so we thought we would try forward facing him, and he loved it!
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
We're trying to wait till two. She's pretty tall so her feet already seem cramped.... but until she seems really uncomfortable we'll wait.
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