RF/FF starting to hate car seat!

Tor · Apr 9th, 2012, 10:21 AM

Hi all,

I've got the Britax first class plus and planned on using it RF until he reached 13kg which wont be for ages however the last few days every car journey he has been hysterical in tears

I can only think its because he now wants to be sitting up all the time and the britax has to be fully reclined in ythe RF position.

So my question is what would you do? Keep him RF as its safer if we crash and listen to him crying his eyes out (it breaks my heart

) or switch him FF so that he isnt hysterical every journey?

Obviously if we switched him FF and he was still upset we would leave him RF but i really think its because he wants to sit up because you can tell he is trying to.

Just weighed him on the scales with me and he is JUST 20lbs.

BethK · Apr 9th, 2012, 11:24 AM

I would switch FF. Yes RF is safer but FF is still incredibly safe.

k4th · Apr 9th, 2012, 11:33 AM

I woul switch to ff because the crying would distract me & I feel my driving would be safer if I weren't listening to all the upset.

Like you said - if it makes no difference you can go back & I agree with Beth - ff is still safe

Tor · Apr 9th, 2012, 12:11 PM

Thanks, luckily my OH has been driving the last few days as its the holidays but if i was driving i would be a danger i think, i have been having to undo my seat belt at times and turn around to try and pacify him while we are driving which is also isnt the best if OH had to slam brakes on or anything and other times we have stopped the car and i have gone to sit in the back with him.

I hope turning him FF solves it as its a total nightmare i would rather pay to catch the bus if he carries on!

mabeth · Apr 9th, 2012, 15:17 PM

Yes I'd definitely swap - as someone said - the ff are still very safe.

jenmc226 · Apr 10th, 2012, 15:55 PM

The issue with Forward Facing is neck injury or even internal decapitation. A toddler's head still weighs a lot when compared to his body and the neck muscles aren't fully developed. So if the car stops suddenly as in a front end collision, you might end up with whiplash, but a toddler's skull can detach from the spinal cord.

I glanced at the child seat you mention and it doesn't appear that it's supposed to be any more reclined than any other child seat when rear facing. There's a slight recline for comfort, but that's standard for just about anyone when relaxed/sitting for a long period of time.

Does he have toys to play with in his seat? Or maybe a mirror so he can see/entertain himself?

Tor · Apr 11th, 2012, 00:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenmc226

The issue with Forward Facing is neck injury or even internal decapitation. A toddler's head still weighs a lot when compared to his body and the neck muscles aren't fully developed. So if the car stops suddenly as in a front end collision, you might end up with whiplash, but a toddler's skull can detach from the spinal cord.

I glanced at the child seat you mention and it doesn't appear that it's supposed to be any more reclined than any other child seat when rear facing. There's a slight recline for comfort, but that's standard for just about anyone when relaxed/sitting for a long period of time.

Does he have toys to play with in his seat? Or maybe a mirror so he can see/entertain himself?

On the installation video i think it is and in the handbook it says in rf position it should always be in the most reclined position.

I have tried toys and dummy but not the mirror, i had him FF yesterday and he was absolutely fine no screaming.

I know rf is loads better which is why i was struggling with the decision but i think the chances of me actually crashing are much less ff with him happy rather than rf screaming so hoping it balances out slightly.

Apr 9th, 2012, 10:21 AM	#1
Tor Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,472	RF/FF starting to hate car seat! Hi all, I've got the Britax first class plus and planned on using it RF until he reached 13kg which wont be for ages however the last few days every car journey he has been hysterical in tears I can only think its because he now wants to be sitting up all the time and the britax has to be fully reclined in ythe RF position. So my question is what would you do? Keep him RF as its safer if we crash and listen to him crying his eyes out (it breaks my heart ) or switch him FF so that he isnt hysterical every journey? Obviously if we switched him FF and he was still upset we would leave him RF but i really think its because he wants to sit up because you can tell he is trying to. Just weighed him on the scales with me and he is JUST 20lbs.

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Apr 9th, 2012, 11:24 AM	#2
BethK Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cotswolds, UK Posts: 3,082	I would switch FF. Yes RF is safer but FF is still incredibly safe.

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Apr 9th, 2012, 11:33 AM	#3
k4th Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Preston Posts: 2,271	I woul switch to ff because the crying would distract me & I feel my driving would be safer if I weren't listening to all the upset. Like you said - if it makes no difference you can go back & I agree with Beth - ff is still safe

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Apr 9th, 2012, 12:11 PM	#4
Tor Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,472	Thanks, luckily my OH has been driving the last few days as its the holidays but if i was driving i would be a danger i think, i have been having to undo my seat belt at times and turn around to try and pacify him while we are driving which is also isnt the best if OH had to slam brakes on or anything and other times we have stopped the car and i have gone to sit in the back with him. I hope turning him FF solves it as its a total nightmare i would rather pay to catch the bus if he carries on!

Status: Offline

Apr 9th, 2012, 15:17 PM	#5
mabeth Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 14	Yes I'd definitely swap - as someone said - the ff are still very safe.

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Apr 10th, 2012, 15:55 PM	#6
jenmc226 Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 597	The issue with Forward Facing is neck injury or even internal decapitation. A toddler's head still weighs a lot when compared to his body and the neck muscles aren't fully developed. So if the car stops suddenly as in a front end collision, you might end up with whiplash, but a toddler's skull can detach from the spinal cord. I glanced at the child seat you mention and it doesn't appear that it's supposed to be any more reclined than any other child seat when rear facing. There's a slight recline for comfort, but that's standard for just about anyone when relaxed/sitting for a long period of time. Does he have toys to play with in his seat? Or maybe a mirror so he can see/entertain himself?

Status: Offline

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