Frightened to switch to FF (from all the ERF horror stories)

stardust599 · Apr 9th, 2012, 12:53 PM

Anyone else feel like this?

My LO is RF in a Britax First Class Plus. I would guess she is around 21lbs so has ages to go RF if I wanted. I always said I would switch at 18months but I feel so frightened! I feel a panic attack coming on at the thought of a front crash when she is FF after reading the ERF articles on the spine etc!

The thing is, I have a 3door Corsa and it is now incredibly difficult to put LO in RF. I have to hold LO, climb into the backseat, scoot along and reach over to fasten her in RF and it's really hard. I have SPD and getting her in is leaving me tears most days! She hates the car now too and gets really upset at having to get in the car. She FFs in my Mums car (who only makes short journeys with her but I use the car daily for longer journeys) and is quite happy to get into the car FF.

Does anyone have any reassuring articles on FF?

doolittle · Apr 9th, 2012, 13:19 PM

I cant reassure regarding FF, but the Jane Monte Carlo with Extend Impact shield seems to be the safest way of forward facing if that is what you need to do. Safer than a 5 point harness form studies.

stardust599 · Apr 9th, 2012, 13:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doolittle

I cant reassure regarding FF, but the Jane Monte Carlo with Extend Impact shield seems to be the safest way of forward facing if that is what you need to do. Safer than a 5 point harness form studies.

I have read awful studies on those with impact shield

My friend has one which I tried but my LO slumps in it and has no support for her neck/head.

hattiehippo · Apr 9th, 2012, 13:42 PM

Can't help with the FF as Tom is ERF at 27 months but I am planning to turn him FF when he's 3 (I think, keep changing my mind!).....but could you put her seat RF in the front passenger seat with any airbags off. It would make it much easier for you to put her in and she might be happier because she can see you?

stardust599 · Apr 9th, 2012, 14:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hattiehippo

Can't help with the FF as Tom is ERF at 27 months but I am planning to turn him FF when he's 3 (I think, keep changing my mind!).....but could you put her seat RF in the front passenger seat with any airbags off. It would make it much easier for you to put her in and she might be happier because she can see you?

Ahh I forgot to mention that! I can't turn the airbag off. The only place it can be turned off is at a Vauxhall garage but they won't do it as it invalidates the insurance and something else

So I would have to get it done "on the side" and I don't know if I would feel happy with that :-S

lepaskilf · Apr 9th, 2012, 14:06 PM

When our LO was born we took our Fiesta to the garage to have an Airbag on/off switch installed. Can they not do that?

My LO is FF, it is still safe x

polaris · Apr 9th, 2012, 14:12 PM

Thomas is FF, I don't really have any reassuring stories because obviously it is much safer to keep them rear facing if you can. However, our small car did not really accommodate an extended rear facing seat. I do feel that he is reasonably safe and I think you have to balance things up and be realistic about what you can and can't do. In your position I would change to a FF seat with good safety reviews as a good second best option.

stardust599 · Apr 9th, 2012, 14:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lepaskilf

When our LO was born we took our Fiesta to the garage to have an Airbag on/off switch installed. Can they not do that?

My LO is FF, it is still safe x

No, the model of our car doesn't allow it

We've already looked into it. The whole airbag system has to be deactivated which invalidates our insurance and I believe Vauxhall make you sign some sort of disclaimer too. I could take it to a mechanical friend and pay them to disconnect the fuses etc. so it won't go off but I don't think I would feel safe with that. Looks like we are going to have to go FF soon x

MrsT&Ben · Apr 9th, 2012, 14:37 PM

My lo has been FF since 9 months.
I dont have any Articles but I do know if my lo was still rf we'd never travel ANYWHERE. He used to go mental in his rf. He hated it.
Sometimes you just have to do what's right for you and not read into the horror stories.

fluffpuffin · Apr 9th, 2012, 15:00 PM

I have Isla forward facing now and have done for about 3 months.I admit I felt a bit like you initially after reading all the articles on ERF, but nowadays I relax about it. she's still very much secure in the car. try not to focus on what could happen.

Apr 9th, 2012, 12:53 PM	#1
stardust599 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: UK Posts: 6,203	Frightened to switch to FF (from all the ERF horror stories) Anyone else feel like this? My LO is RF in a Britax First Class Plus. I would guess she is around 21lbs so has ages to go RF if I wanted. I always said I would switch at 18months but I feel so frightened! I feel a panic attack coming on at the thought of a front crash when she is FF after reading the ERF articles on the spine etc! The thing is, I have a 3door Corsa and it is now incredibly difficult to put LO in RF. I have to hold LO, climb into the backseat, scoot along and reach over to fasten her in RF and it's really hard. I have SPD and getting her in is leaving me tears most days! She hates the car now too and gets really upset at having to get in the car. She FFs in my Mums car (who only makes short journeys with her but I use the car daily for longer journeys) and is quite happy to get into the car FF. Does anyone have any reassuring articles on FF?

Status: Offline

Apr 9th, 2012, 13:19 PM	#2
doolittle Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 185	I cant reassure regarding FF, but the Jane Monte Carlo with Extend Impact shield seems to be the safest way of forward facing if that is what you need to do. Safer than a 5 point harness form studies.

Status: Offline

Apr 9th, 2012, 13:42 PM	#4
hattiehippo Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Essex Posts: 3,691	Can't help with the FF as Tom is ERF at 27 months but I am planning to turn him FF when he's 3 (I think, keep changing my mind!).....but could you put her seat RF in the front passenger seat with any airbags off. It would make it much easier for you to put her in and she might be happier because she can see you?

Status: Offline

Apr 9th, 2012, 14:06 PM	#6
lepaskilf Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: I live in North Wales Posts: 3,282	When our LO was born we took our Fiesta to the garage to have an Airbag on/off switch installed. Can they not do that? My LO is FF, it is still safe x

Status: Offline

Apr 9th, 2012, 14:12 PM	#7
polaris Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 7,821	Thomas is FF, I don't really have any reassuring stories because obviously it is much safer to keep them rear facing if you can. However, our small car did not really accommodate an extended rear facing seat. I do feel that he is reasonably safe and I think you have to balance things up and be realistic about what you can and can't do. In your position I would change to a FF seat with good safety reviews as a good second best option.

Status: Offline

Apr 9th, 2012, 14:37 PM	#9
MrsT&Ben Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Dorset Posts: 1,690	My lo has been FF since 9 months. I dont have any Articles but I do know if my lo was still rf we'd never travel ANYWHERE. He used to go mental in his rf. He hated it. Sometimes you just have to do what's right for you and not read into the horror stories.

Status: Offline

Apr 9th, 2012, 15:00 PM	#10
fluffpuffin Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: a German in the UK Posts: 12,772	I have Isla forward facing now and have done for about 3 months.I admit I felt a bit like you initially after reading all the articles on ERF, but nowadays I relax about it. she's still very much secure in the car. try not to focus on what could happen.

Status: Online

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