Car seat - when to turn?

[~Kaz~]

What the other girls have said!!!

We managed to keep DS facing rearward until he was 12 months old and I was sad and worried about turning him even then. Like Leasha, I got a 'low' weight seat because I didn't realise at the time I could get a seat with a higher weight for rearward facing and I wasn't thinking that far ahead to be honest. He wasn't even walking then I still worry about him facing forwards now and he is 18 months old.

I have read some articles/studies that suggest that children are at much higher risk of spine/neck injuries in car accidents until sometime between 3-4years Their heads are disproportionately heavier until then compared to the rest of their bodies and their neck strength in particular (exact age depends on each child), so when they are thrown forward in an accident they are more likely to hurt their necks.

It's safer for everyone, even adults, to ride backwards. I wish we had access to the seats they have in the UK.

[Roryrory]

again, what everyone else said - rearward facing as long as possible
our boys were nearly 1 before we turned them, well past the "weight/age" limits

[mummato1]

I have only just turned DS and he is 15 months and 11 kgs, despite coping a bit of flack about not turing him earlier (easily ignored!).

I would have happily left him even longer but we had to turn him so we could fit one of DF's mates in the front seat of the car (and he is a bigggg guy)!!

[Early Kids]

Yep agree with the others.

DS1 was turned at 9-10 months under advice from the paed, he suffered from reflux and in the rearward facing position had trouble clearing his mouth. He was about 8.5kg and our seat only does 8kg. But I would have preferred him rearward longer.

DS2 was about 14 months and we turned him because he hated rearward and would strain his neck just to see forwards lol. We have a Prado so I'm happy to have him farward facing, he was 8.8kg when changed.

[Miss.September]

Our seat takes DD rear facing until 12kgs. She's 18 months old and still rear facing as she hasn't hit the weight limit yet.

[*Efjay*]

Yep same here, my youngest 2 were rear facing beyond 12 months & I only turned when it got so difficult to put them in due to the back arching & fighting not to go in that I was scared I was going to hurt them trying to battle with them to get the straps done up. I would have to push their bum down while getting the straps on & Man those kids are strong! My oldest was turned as soon as he hit 8kgs (about 5 months). Which at the time I thought was great but makes me shudder now. My Second was turned at that 8kg mark too but I think it was earlier then 5 months but im not sure I just remember him being so big & hard to get in so we turned... Glad I have a bit more sense and a larger car now.

[~Kaz~]

That's a good point about not wrestling them into the seats cause that's dangerous and hard work too. I think first kids are easier to leave rearward longer cause they don't know any different. By the time there's a second or third child (usually) they can see the older sibling facing forwards so know that it's an option. (And struggle earlier).

I am still kicking myself that I didn't get a larger weight seat. DS is still only 10.1 kg and I reckon we could have definitely made it to 2yrs+ before he hit 12kg I could get a larger weight seat for the next bub but they will see DS facing forwards so I think I'll have similar issues to Effjay.

[Indadhanu]

Please remember to follow the weight limits though. A seat is designed to only hold a certain weight rear and forward facing, and can damage the seat and be harmful to a child in an accident. Yes some people will say that is only a recommendation and they can theoretically hold a higher weight, but its recommended for a reason. Try and find a seat with a high rearfacing weight. I think Safe'N'Sound offer some really good choices.

[Miss.September]

Please remember to follow the weight limits though. A seat is designed to only hold a certain weight rear and forward facing, and can damage the seat and be harmful to a child in an accident. Yes some people will say that is only a recommendation and they can theoretically hold a higher weight, but its recommended for a reason. Try and find a seat with a high rearfacing weight. I think Safe'N'Sound offer some really good choices.

Ours is a Safe'N'Sound, meridian I think. It allows for rear facing to 12kg, and forward facing up to 18kg, by memory. We chose it because it will last us a long time, and we liked the idea of DD being rear facing for as long as possible. It's a great seat and one that the installer recommended too.