Car seat - when to turn?

[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.