for those who ERF

[redneckhippy]

My almost 2 year old could still technically fit in his infant seat by weight lol. We have the chicco which I think RF until 40 lbs and 49" so he's got a long way to go before he hits either (he's only 33")

 

[broodymrs]

We did it until just before he was 3. He's big for his age and he literally had no more room. Even with his legs going up the back seat I couldn't then pull his straps tight enough so it seemed safer to turn him and have snug straps rather than continue erf but potentially with straps too loose

 

[SarahBear]

When you switch them, remember that the rules for where the shoulder straps attach changes! When rear facing, the place where the top of the strap attaches to the seat should be at or below the child's shoulder. When you turn around forward, it should be at or above the shoulder. I messed this up with my daughter and drove with the straps wrong for a while before realizing. This site has a picture of what I'm talking about: https://us.britax.com/product-knowledge/articles/adjusting-the-harness/

 

[broodymrs]

When you switch them, remember that the rules for where the shoulder straps attach changes! When rear facing, the place where the top of the strap attaches to the seat should be at or below the child's shoulder. When you turn around forward, it should be at or above the shoulder. I messed this up with my daughter and drove with the straps wrong for a while before realizing. This site has a picture of what I'm talking about: https://us.britax.com/product-knowledge/articles/adjusting-the-harness/

Is this in the uk too? I've never changed where the straps attach, not sure I can do actually

 

[Neko]

I had read that most kids reach height limit first. I had to go back and look at my manual. I have the Diono Rainier and the height limit is 44". Last time dd was measured, I think it was about 4 months ago, she was 33". Wonder when they typically reach 44"??

Somewhere between 4-6 depending on how tall they are going to be. Your DD is most likely more than 33 inches.

If your child is average weight, they should outgrow their seat by height before weight. My daughter is still in a 5 point harness, but barely. The maximum weight is 65 pounds, but height is 48 inches. She is now just 48 inches tall so we will need to switch her to a booster soon, she is barely 50 pounds. The straps still fit, but her head is just to the maximum point is is meant to be on the headrest.

 

[Rainbow82]

When you switch them, remember that the rules for where the shoulder straps attach changes! When rear facing, the place where the top of the strap attaches to the seat should be at or below the child's shoulder. When you turn around forward, it should be at or above the shoulder. I messed this up with my daughter and drove with the straps wrong for a while before realizing. This site has a picture of what I'm talking about: https://us.britax.com/product-knowledge/articles/adjusting-the-harness/

Thanks for this link I actually had no idea about this in the uk. I always found that once the straps were slightly below shoulder height that no matter how tight I pull it they slip down, I'll have to have another look at them.

 

[MindUtopia]

Mine is about to turn 4. I don't plan to do it before about 4.5 and she will easily be able to stay safely rear facing until probably at least 5. Our seat goes up to 18 kg rear facing and she's 15 kg now. Probably when we get close to the weight limit for rear facing or when she seems uncomfortable. At the moment, she has loads of leg room still and is happy RF so no reason to change it. Eventually we'll need that seat when we have another and they are big enough for it, but that won't be for awhile.

 

[SucreK]

I'd do it forever if possible! Unfortunately, my girls are about to hit the max weight for RF for their car seats (40 lbs) at age 3.

 

[Scout]

I had read that most kids reach height limit first. I had to go back and look at my manual. I have the Diono Rainier and the height limit is 44". Last time dd was measured, I think it was about 4 months ago, she was 33". Wonder when they typically reach 44"??

Somewhere between 4-6 depending on how tall they are going to be. Your DD is most likely more than 33 inches.

She is! I just measured her and she's 39 inches. I don't know where I got the 33 inches from.

 

[CountryBride]

I won't turn my lovebug around until I absolutely have to. Right now she's coming up on 16 months and 24 lbs. I think she's around 30 inches.

 

[Lil mole]

We turned my 3.5 year old around yesterday 😔 My husband insisted because she complains to him that her legs are squashed. She's never complained to me but she is tall and rapidly running out of room.

I said all along that after age two she could decide. So I couldn't really refuse when my husband said she was unhappy and he wanted to turn her around.

My 17 month old is currently rear facing and we will apply the same rule. Rear facing until two at the absolute minimum and after that as long as she will happily tolerate it.

I'm sad about my eldest turning round. I think it's mostly because she is growing up and it all seems so fast. I know rear facing is still safer for her but the statistical differences in safety are no longer so pronounced. I work as a paramedic and even when a one year old is in an car accident I'm always relived to see them even in a legal forward facing seat as that provides so much protection that it is rare to see significant injuries in babies (which I am extremely grateful for). Those poor babies and kids without car seats though.....uggggh makes my blood run cold to see it, but that's another post entirely!

 

[adrie]

Our daughter is pretty much on track to be the same size as yours probably, and I just figure, does my 7 or 8 year old really need to be rear facing? Many kids reach the limit far before that age, and a 7 or 8 year old would be much more physically developed than a 3 or 4 year old.

We JUST started forward facing our daughter last week, and she was 3 in October. We only did so because our second born is due on Feb. 14 and requires the spot behind me for the rear facing bucket seat. She is about 28lbs and 36in. I would prefer her to still be in the rear position but it won't work for our vehicle as dad is a tall, big guy. (6' and 190-200lbs).