POLL about rear-facing car seats for children

[Dollenganger]

This is something that I have obsessed over with my daughter who is nearly 3 and it has caused arguments with her father, who thinks that we should put her front facing. Now, she is very tall for her age - more like a 5 year old in height.

All of the evidence shows that rear facing seats in a car are safer for anyone. But, having heard more peoples views on this recently, I’m wondering if I’m being a bit OTT making dd rear face until age 4. Especially considering how tall she is.

I’d be so interested to hear peoples stance on this.

 

[Kim Mild]

I'm a supporter of extended rear facing too. I've heard that it's much safer and I would hate to have an accident whilst driving with my children in the car and they came of worse because of their car seat.

My little ones are almost 5 and almost three and they both still rear facing in my car. The 4 year oldest seat is in booster mode in her dad's car as they are too heavy for the harness . I'm sure it goes off weight more than height.

And a younger child's anatomy is different to an older child's.

 

[nillal]

My boy is only 22 months, but he absolutely is rear facing and will be for a long time. I try to promote extended rear facing as much as possible.

 

[Koalabear]

Height has got nothing to do with it, mines in 6-7 clothes and rear facing. I will RF for as long as possible. Their legs can bend and they're much more comfortable being crossed etc than dangling when FF.

 

[Dollenganger]

My daughter actually doesn’t like having her legs bent against the seat but she has extremely long legs.

Nevertheless, I feel like if you can increase the chances that your child will survive a car accident, why wouldn’t you do everything possible?

 

[BorisBear]

My kids a teen now, but does this take into account the type of crash I.e front/back impact?

 

[Kim Mild]

My kids a teen now, but does this take into account the type of crash I.e front/back impact?

The occupants of a vehicle still move in the direction of travel following an impact .So an adult would be at risk of whiplash as their head continues forwards and snaps back. A rear facing car seat supports a child's head and upper body .

In the case of someone crashing while reversing, most reversing takes place at low speeds.

 

[Purrrrrrr]

The occupants of a vehicle still move in the direction of travel following an impact .So an adult would be at risk of whiplash as their head continues forwards and snaps back. A rear facing car seat supports a child's head and upper body .

In the case of someone crashing while reversing, most reversing takes place at low speeds.

What about being rear-ended? Indeed that's the same thing?

 

[ProphecyGirl]

My sons only 4 months but I will be RF for as long as poss! I have a friend who’s daughter is only 13 months and she’s been FF for about 3 months or so now I don’t get it

 

[Purrrrrrr]

What about being rear-ended? Indeed that's the same thing?

Grrrr auto correct. should have said .... Isn't that the same thing

 

[Koalabear]

My sons only 4 months but I will be RF for as long as poss! I have a friend who’s daughter is only 13 months and she’s been FF for about 3 months or so now I don’t get it

Surely that illegal, I thought it was 15 months?

 

[Dollenganger]

My kids a teen now, but does this take into account the type of crash I.e front/back impact?

Apparently, you are more likely to have a crash to the front of your vehicle. This is what the advice is based on. Correct me if wrong though…

 

[Kim Mild]

A girl a went to school with had pic of her grandkid who probably isn't 2 yet sitting on a booster cushion in her car. Surely common sense would make you think that a child that young needs to be harnessed .