Car seat forward or rear seating

We still have our DS rear facing (he's 13 months), he was 9KGs at 12 mnths so we've got a while until he hits the 12kg mark so will hopefully make it to 18 months before we need to swap him.

I've had a few comments when I've put him in the car from people saying I should turn him around and move the seat to the side (its in the middle of the backseat) :O When I explain how much safer it is rear facing most people are totally unaware! :o

DS is happy facing backwards (we have some links strung up from the handles of the roof at each side with toys hanging to keep him amused - works a treat)

Naomi

Thanks everyone.... guess its back to rear facing we will go. Appreciate ALL the replies. I feel a bit stupid now that I just changed without checking but no harm done and will change him back this weekend.

Kate07 I do have mirror which he used when he was in his capsule and is currently hanging in front of him so that should help keep him amused. And have plenty of toys I can dangle from the handles to continue to amuse him.

Thanks again everyone.

I will not be turning my DD till she nolonger fits in rear facing- so weight or length will be my guide. I am a firefighter and have been to too many MVA's involving cars with kids in- one I had to help stabilise a 2yo to be airlifted to the RAH- I do not want my daughter to be a statistic.

I drive a Daewoo and when we had our seat installed, we were told not to ever put it to the side cause in our that is where the crumble zone is. K's seat is safest in the middle.

Wow!
We turned Miss M at around 6-8mths. She fit all the min requirements, and she hated the seat facing backwards. Once we switched the seat round she was so happy. At that point in time that is all that mattered to us. A crash of any description was the not even in our thoughts at the time.
This time round Miss H doesnt seem to mind being backwards, I think that she can see and play with her sister so shes happier. So with this been the case we will leave her rearward facing until she either hits the restrictions on her seat, or car rides are no longer enjoyable for anyone. ITMS.
I know saftey comes first but also if they arent happy in their seat rearfacing, and you've done all you can to keep them happy, but nothing works, turning the seat round is the better option. ITMS!

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I know saftey comes first but also if they arent happy in their seat rearfacing, and you've done all you can to keep them happy, but nothing works, turning the seat round is the better option.

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beansbeans - Believe me, I know how annoying it can be travelling with an unhappy baby - but I'd rather have an unhappy one than an injured one so I have to disagree with turning the seat around if you've tried everything to keep them happy. Their little body's are so fragile and the neck and spine still so under developed at 6 months, even at 12 months.
My DS often gets unhappy as I wont let him in the kitchen when the oven is on and I am cooking as its dangerous and I don't let him in just so he is happy, I look at the car seat the same way - there are somethings that just shouldn't be compromised (eg baby and childhood safety) no matter how unhappy the child is.
I really feel that Australia are well behind other countries with its child restraint laws, and a massive overhaul needs to be done including an education campaign. We need to keep our babies safe. It's usually not us as the drivers that cause the risk (as we have precious cargo in our cars), but other reckless drivers out there and we need to do all we can to protect them

PS. Sorry if this is a dumb questions but what does ITMS mean?

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I know saftey comes first but also if they arent happy in their seat rearfacing, and you've done all you can to keep them happy, but nothing works, turning the seat round is the better option.

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I completely disagree, beansbeans. Like Lisafire, through the course of my work I have seen many children involved in car accidents and sadly not all of them have survived. If your precious child died forward facing, I wonder how much consolation it would be that she was 'happy'?

I'm sorry if that makes you uncomfortable, but this is the reality which many parents have faced. No one climbs behind the wheel of their car or straps their children in thinking that they will have an accident. There should be no compromise on the safety of our children in a vehicle.

itms, if this makes sense.

Maybe I didnt explain myself properly.... If you have an unhappy bub, who is taking your attention away from the road, then there is no way that you can focus on the road properly.
If everyone is happy in the car then you are more likely to be aware of what is happening around you. If everyone isnt happy, whinging, crying and carrying on your entire focus is not on the road, on the cars around you, or anything else. thats what I was trying to say. I know with Miss M, that in the end, she jsut wasnt happy rear facing, no matter what we did. So instead of having her cry and whinge the whole time I was driving. I turned her, there was no way I could focus on traffic, and conditions and have a crying bub behind me. It just doesnt work. Thats all.
Im all for safety, for all reasons, I have no problem with having rearfacing, as I said we will leave Miss H rearfacing. I have no doubt that having her rear facing is safer, and I dont need to see accident sites to know this. "happy" in my car is about safety for all, and most importantly being able to focus on what is happening around me. And if my girls are safely buckled in their seats and they are happy there I can focus on whats happening around me and in doing my best to get us from point a to point b safely.