thread: Carseat question

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Dec 2008
    Brisbane
    299

    Question Carseat question

    My sil and bil are buying a new car soon. Mil mentioned to us that they were planning on forward facing their son in this new car(unsure of why) He is only 4mths weighs about 9kg. They seem to think that it goes by weight and he is right to switch but I thought it now goes by age. This is their first child and they don't seem to listen to much of what others tell them. Even mil doesn't understand why it isn't safe to turn him yet. Any ideas on how to tell them with offending them. DF and I are concerned about his safety

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Add Kazbah on Facebook Follow Kazbah On Twitter

    Sep 2006
    Dandy Ranges ;)
    7,526

    CMo3 - there's a video about this on youtube somewhere, I don't remember the name of it, but it shows head control and how it works in car seats, maybe share it on FB or summat? Otherwise, maybe their car seat won't fit rear-facing in the new car, or they are renting the car seat???

    Good luck, I hope you can get your message across.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Dec 2005
    6,706

    How about sending them a link to the car seat laws for your state? As far as I'm aware, while there's a minimum weight they need to reach before they can be turned, there's also a minimum age, and that's 6 months. There's also a youtube video that explains why children should be rear-facing for as long as possible. I'll have a search around and see if I can find it again.

    BW

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Dec 2010
    The zoo
    735

    We kept DS rear facing until after 12 months and even then I hated turning him. 4 months is so young!

    In these situations I would always try the well timed "hey I was reading an article the other day about child seats and how they are encouraging people to keep their babies rear facing for as long as possible as ther necks are still so weak".

    Some people just can't be told though...

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jul 2009
    2,109

    I struggle with this too - DD is 8kg and 8 months old and we still have her rear facing, I won't be turning her until I absolutely have to. My guess is that they plan to put the seat in forward facing because then they won't have to turn it later. I wonder if you could somehow get her to do some research, maybe tell her you don't think it's legal and you don't want them to get in trouble and that should prompt her to look into it a bit more. *fingers crossed* I had the same thing with my nephew, his parents turned him when he wasn't 8 kilos and he wasn't 6 months and I worried and worried but at the end of the day you can't parent other people's kids

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    6,900

    Send them this: YouTube - The Importance of Rear-Facing: Version 2

    Or subtly post it on FB...

  7. #7
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber & MPM

    Feb 2007
    Melbourne
    5,462

    There is a minimum age and weight. The minimum age being 6 months, but it is recommended to leave them rearward facing as long as possible. The YouTube clip everyone should watch is HERE (I hope it's OK to share the link, it used to be OK in another thread).

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Dec 2005
    6,706

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Oct 2010
    Brisbane
    45

    It could also be because some seats can only stay rear facing to 9kg. I think though, it's illegal to be forward facing under 6 months unless he's too heavy for ANY seat. If their seat only goes to 9kg, they need to get a new seat that goes to 12 kg to satisfy the new laws. Turning him now is not the answer, so dangerous!

  10. #10
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    May 2007
    Brisbane
    5,310

    Print out the new laws for QLD. It is actually illegal to turn before 6 months of age.

    Child restraint laws QLD

  11. #11
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Nov 2005
    Langwarrin. Victoria
    1,654

    Yeah exactly the laws are now 9kgs AND 6 months...you have to meet both requirements not just one...they will have to buy a convertible carseat that will rear face beyond 9 kgs and keep bubs rearfacing until at least 6 months.

  12. #12
    Registered User
    Add Beautitude on Facebook

    Feb 2008
    Adelaide SA
    684

    Wow 4 months? DS is 4 months and very strong, more so than any other kid his age, but there is no way his little neck could withstand sitting forward for long periods let alone if there is an accident! The laws are definately 6 months so if they do turn him they are risking some hefty fines and lots of demerits points not to mention the life of their child if god forbid there is an accident!