Do we have to switch to forward facing?

[robinator]

DD is still in her infant carseat although her feet dangle over the edge. We also have a Chicco reversible toddler seat but when we put it in the car, rear facing, she has zero leg room. Can't stretch her legs out, have to keep them bent. Should we just put her forward facing? She's back in the infant one for now as it's roomier.

She's 13 months and 18-ish pounds.

 

[Twinkie210]

From what I have been told it is fine for them to have their legs bent, as long as they are comfortable. Since they recommend that they stay rear facing until 2 now, I don't see how most babies could stay that way that long without having little leg room! In our state it is only law to have them rear facing until a year, so as soon as DS seems uncomfortable we will switch him around.

 

[aliss]

*Nvm my bad advice! It's 20lbs minimum in your state. She should stay rear facing.

 

[emzilouu]

its entirely your choice hun, i know ill probably get alot of people turn there noses up at me for this but i put my son forward facing from 6 months, he was just way too big for his rear facing maxi cosi his head was right at the top and his feet dangled over the end and he wasnt comfortable at all. we got him a recaro young expert and i have never looked back at that decision it was the best decision i made hes so much happier been able to see everything

 

[jett]

What does the seat say it can take, eg mine says 30lb or 30 inch with ever comes first, my LO has just gone past the 30inch but is only just getting towards 25lbs so we have to by a new one. If your LO is still within the specs for length facing rear facing which are how the seat was tested for safety then its fine to keep them in it, if you have gone past the length max a would not use it that way as you don't know how that will change its safety.

 

[Lollipopbop]

I thought you're suppose to turn them around when they reach 9kg? We don't drive but when we go in friends and mil's car he's still in his baby car seat and is rear facing but he looks so uncomfy so we're getting him a forward facing one x

 

[mommy0629]

I'm going to switch to forward facing at 1 year for this exact reason. Lo's infant car seat barely fits in my car rear facing now let alone when her legs gets longer. Idk how they expect you to be able to have a convertable car seat fit backwards in most vehicles, there's NO way it will in mine.

 

[special_kala]

As long as your LO is within the weight limits of your car seat then i would keep them rear facing.

Rear facing is far safer. Legs bent is fine. Broken legs can be fixed a broken neck cant

 

[aliss]

I thought you're suppose to turn them around when they reach 9kg? We don't drive but when we go in friends and mil's car he's still in his baby car seat and is rear facing but he looks so uncomfy so we're getting him a forward facing one x

It's age 1 minimum here in Canada and the US... 9kg is a minimum in the UK.

 

[missmayhem]

we have a BeSafe izi Kid which allows her legs to dangle down whilst rear facing and is also upright, don't know who loves the seat more, me or her. It can rear race to 18kg. The combi they do can rear face to the same but will also FF if needed to.

DD will remain rear facing till she hits 18kg

 

[overcomer79]

I thought you're suppose to turn them around when they reach 9kg? We don't drive but when we go in friends and mil's car he's still in his baby car seat and is rear facing but he looks so uncomfy so we're getting him a forward facing one x

It's age 1 minimum here in Canada and the US... 9kg is a minimum in the UK.

It's age 1 AND 20 lbs in most states in the US. That being said, we have a small car and my son's convertible rf seat fit just fine. I didn't think there was an issue with legs dangling over an infant seat as long as she was in the weight range? I don't think mine has a height spec on it but even if it did, I don't think she is over that.

 

[aliss]

I thought you're suppose to turn them around when they reach 9kg? We don't drive but when we go in friends and mil's car he's still in his baby car seat and is rear facing but he looks so uncomfy so we're getting him a forward facing one x

It's age 1 minimum here in Canada and the US... 9kg is a minimum in the UK.

It's age 1 AND 20 lbs in most states in the US. That being said, we have a small car and my son's convertible rf seat fit just fine. I didn't think there was an issue with legs dangling over an infant seat as long as she was in the weight range? I don't think mine has a height spec on it but even if it did, I don't think she is over that.

Yep, it's the weight range that is important - following the weight/height guidelines of the specific seat.

I had an ERF that went to 40lbs so I had to change Alex at 2 to forward. Forward facing at the correct weight/height would be safer than rear facing at the incorrect weight/height (ie ERF in a 40lb seat at 50lbs)

 

[mommy0629]

I thought you're suppose to turn them around when they reach 9kg? We don't drive but when we go in friends and mil's car he's still in his baby car seat and is rear facing but he looks so uncomfy so we're getting him a forward facing one x

It's age 1 minimum here in Canada and the US... 9kg is a minimum in the UK.

It's age 1 AND 20 lbs in most states in the US. That being said, we have a small car and my son's convertible rf seat fit just fine. I didn't think there was an issue with legs dangling over an infant seat as long as she was in the weight range? I don't think mine has a height spec on it but even if it did, I don't think she is over that.

With regards to it fitting in the car backwards, I think it depends on how tall you or whoever is in the passenger seat is (depending on what side you have lo on). DH and I would have our knees in the dashboard with a rear facing convertable behind us in my car lol, it's practically that way with the infant one rear facing and I actually told DH that I think we need to get me an SUV because my car was definatly not made for someone with two kids in the back seat lol

 

[overcomer79]

I thought you're suppose to turn them around when they reach 9kg? We don't drive but when we go in friends and mil's car he's still in his baby car seat and is rear facing but he looks so uncomfy so we're getting him a forward facing one x

It's age 1 minimum here in Canada and the US... 9kg is a minimum in the UK.

It's age 1 AND 20 lbs in most states in the US. That being said, we have a small car and my son's convertible rf seat fit just fine. I didn't think there was an issue with legs dangling over an infant seat as long as she was in the weight range? I don't think mine has a height spec on it but even if it did, I don't think she is over that.

With regards to it fitting in the car backwards, I think it depends on how tall you or whoever is in the passenger seat is (depending on what side you have lo on). DH and I would have our knees in the dashboard with a rear facing convertable behind us in my car lol, it's practically that way with the infant one rear facing and I actually told DH that I think we need to get me an SUV because my car was definatly not made for someone with two kids in the back seat lol

This is so so true. With James's infant carrier, I was pushed on the dash board. We turned him at one before all this erf became popular. I even have friends telling me I need to turn him back around...I'm not sure he would go for that. I have a seat in mind for my daughter that erf to 40lbs but if I kept her for 40lbs she might be erf until she is 4! My son isn't even 40 lbs yet lol. Not sure where you draw the line.

 

[mellyboo]

I want an suv sooooo bad for this same reason my babys car seat i have to wiggle it in there! with an suv i wouldnt have this problem more room!

i have a honda civic 4 door right now its not working out lol

 

[Twinkie210]

I have a Chevy Cruz and have this problem. I can't put LO behind the driver's seat because DH can't fit behind the wheel then. He has a larger 4 door car and we still have this problem. LO HAS to on the passenger side. We still have him in his infant seat, but when we get his convertible one I hope if fits a little better! I can't wait until he gets to turn around!

 

[mommy0629]

Yeah, see, I'm glad it's not just me with this problem LOL. The car seats are a fortune the way it is, am I supposed to buy a new car so my baby can ride backwards for an extra year? Not happening.

Of course I want my kids to be safe, but you do have to draw the line somewhere, there's only so much you can do besides have them live in a bubble lol. I remember being a young kid and having me, my two brothers AND at least one of my cousins all crammed in the back seat, two of us sharing a seat belt! Not saying I'd do that obviously lol, but my mom does make fun of me for pulling the straps on lo's car seat so tight, she says the poor baby can't move in there, Ummm yeah, that's the whole idea mom LOL. My dad always says, "time to get strapped in for your flight to the moon Leah"

With each decade or so that passes we get more and more excessive with this stuff if you ask me.

 

[SerenityNow]

Chicco makes a convertible seat now? I was just shopping for a new seat last month and I don't remember them having one.

I would not turn her forward facing until she is at least 20 pounds. My lo was in his infant seat until 16 mo. He was 24 lbs and 32 in. But he still had more than an inch of seat above his head because he's long legged.

We ended up getting a Radian R100 and it fits in my car better than the keyfit did. It even fits well in the back of my OHs truck which has no legroom! We have him in the middle because the other two kids need the shoulder belts.

 

[whit.]

I would go into babies R us if you have one and they will let you test the seats in your car. I would keep your LO rear facing as long as possible because it IS more safe to rear face than to forward face.

Most states are 1 year AND 20lbs before you can forward face. If your LO's not 20lbs yet and head isn't over the top of the infant seat then I would leave him in it until he IS 20lbs and head over the seat. (Unless you plan on get a "big" car seat and keep him rear facing.) What kind of car do you have? Is there a middle seat/buckles?

The legs being bent is nothing to worry about, either. Sophia's legs have been bent for a while and she just sits Indian style for the most part. She doesn't seem or act uncomfortable at all.

 

[aliss]

Sorry for my bad advice!!!!

No, she has to stay rear face - it's 20lbs in Washington state.