Hellobee Boards

I wouldn't say anything...they probably already have heard it all but choose to take the risks for a long drive.

If it's on facebook, maybe find an article, related to the incident, and just happen to post it on your FB?

I assume when people do something like this they know the risks but have chosen to do things that they deem best for their family.

When it comes to health & safety I say speak up. I would post a FYI link under the photo worth the info. If she deletes it or even comments on it or even blocks you, we'll you know you got her attention and maybe, just maybe switched the direction of the car seat.

I'd let it be but would be uncomfortable for them. Are you sure they baby really is facing forward though? Maybe it's just a weird angle?

I felt the same way when someone posted photos of their 4 month old sleeping in a mini crib with fluffy bumpers, a blanket, and stuffed animals (though I think that's less of a safety issue than carseat safety!). I just hoped that it was posed or for a nap that they were watching the baby for, not the usual sleeping situation, but it's none of my business in the end.

As hard as it is, don't say anything. Not your place to intervene on someone else's choices

@rawrasaur: I wouldnt do anything. I see this all the time, people doing very unsafe things but i just bite my tongue

@rawrasaur: I was thinking about this exact thing this morning (after I saw someone head into rush hour traffic with a baby on their LAP WHILE DRIVING. But most of us have access to the internet and can learn safety features if we desire. They obviously learned as much as they wanted to and made their decision.

I also try to think of how I would feel if someone contacted me telling me how to raise my child and what was safest. I'd be really offended.

You just never know someone else's circumstance. Perhaps that child is absolutely inconsolable in the car when rear facing or they have a special situation warranting forward facing.

@highwire: "I also try to think of how I would feel if someone contacted me telling me how to raise my child and what was safest. I'd be really offended."

Exactly. I tried to think of a good way to say this but I couldn't. You did.

Since I don't have a LO yet, I don't know the rules or laws on car seats. Is it illegal to have the 7 month old forward facing or just a suggested practice?

My friend emailed a pic of her son sitting forward facing at 8 months and I didn't say anything. Her sister is a pediatrician so maybe she will say something?

@lisamarieloves: I think it's illegal in most states.

I posted a very similar thread here about 6 months ago, when a friend turned her 6 month old to forward face because she didn't like the car seat. I bit my tongue, because it's not my place.

@rawrasaur: This makes me so sad! Dangers on the road--and having no control over other drivers--is exactly why I just shelled out almost $1,000 for 2 Clek Foonf convertible car seats.

@BananaPancakes: That's what I was thinking.

@rawrasaur: If it is, in fact, illegal in your state to have a baby that young facing forward, I would anonymously call the police on your acquaintance. I've called the non-emergency police number when I see dogs in closed up cars.

@Mrs Green Grass: Finding one used is dangerous because a- carseats "expire," and b- you don't know how it's been taken care of. You're never supposed to wash the straps, and if it's in a wreck it should be replaced. You don't know if they've been careful about those sorts of things. Though maybe in this case the risks of a questionable carseat are lower than the risk of front-facing too soon?

Another vote for not saying anything. Its not your child, so don't worry about it.

Hell, my aunt brought her 15 month LO over for a visit recently (they live out of province) without ANY kind of carseat and was just held by her mom while in the car. None of us agreed with it, but didn't say a word.

@rawrasaur: Though it occurs to me that I'm not the best person to ask. My cousin went around telling our family that I was trying to take away her kids, after I asked one of my aunts if her spanking was as out of control as it seemed from her blog. (It wasn't, and I dropped it. And I never intended to do anything but talk to my cousin herself if it was. Oy.)

i was in a similar situation a couple of years ago. my brother and sil pulled up to a cookout with their 3 month old in my sil's lap! they only drove about 3/4 of a mile but the cookout was on a really country road and deer are majorly over populated. also, my brother has a HORRIBLE driving record and has literally said, proudly, "i have two speeds, fast and faster."

i was beside myself with anger that they would put their infant daughter in that type of danger but i bit my tongue at the time in order to not cause an argument in front of the entire family.

but i did end up sending my sil a message that night basically saying i know you thought it just a short drive and nothing would happen, but statistics show that most car accidents happen within miles of your house and i just want you to be aware..."

i basically got a big fat eff you in response. and i was told that it was their baby and they could do what they wanted to with her. i then told her well if i saw it again i would call the police. harsh? maybe, but my niece's safety is more important to me than my sil's and brother's feelings.

basically all this is to say that if you do decide to say something it is almost for sure not going to be received well. at the same time, you have to decide what you can live with. personally, i knew if something ever happened to my niece while she was in the car with them and i had never spoken up i would live with that regret for the rest of my life.

@jmarionsmith: Glad to see I'm not the only one who keeps quiet on these things! I feel exactly the same way. I couldn't live with myself if something happened and I'd kept my mouth shut.