Tell me about car seats - for over 12kg (post capsule) - and a Britax/Safe N Sound Q?

[Mum2Romone]

its against the law to face your child backwards after 12 months of age in Australia, regardless of weight.

Its not just a fine from an officer you need to worry about its a charge for child endangerment which could see you go to gaol ... Just use a Seat that meets Australian standards.... your ds will be able to be in a rear facing one for a whole year yet....

[melbel]

where did you find that law M2R...my son is still rearfacing at 15 months and will be until he hits the 12 kilo limit. I have no intention of turning him until then...he will most likely be close to 2 before that happens.

[feeb]

its against the law to face your child backwards after 12 months of age in Australia, regardless of weight.

Its not just a fine from an officer you need to worry about its a charge for child endangerment which could see you go to gaol ... Just use a Seat that meets Australian standards.... your ds will be able to be in a rear facing one for a whole year yet....

That is not true the only law is not to turn before 8kg or 6 months minimum, and most rear facing car seats have a max weight of 12kg. DS1 was only turned at 17 months as neede car seat for DS2 and DS2 still rear facing at 15 months.

[feeb]

its against the law to face your child backwards after 12 months of age in Australia, regardless of weight.

Its not just a fine from an officer you need to worry about its a charge for child endangerment which could see you go to gaol ... Just use a Seat that meets Australian standards.... your ds will be able to be in a rear facing one for a whole year yet....

That is not true the only law is not to turn before 8kg or 6 months minimum, and most rear facing car seats have a max weight of 12kg. DS1 was only turned at 17 months as neede car seat for DS2 and DS2 still rear facing at 15 months.

[Mum2Romone]

ok a friend was charged with having her two year old backwards. In court they showed "proof" of the law requiring you to turn them at 12kgs or 12 months which ever comes first. DS is only 12 kg now but has been turned since this incident happened with my friend... when ds was 14 months...

She was charged. She had the child in a minor accident and facing the wrong way ( backwards )

Im not going to argue about you tube videos they are clearly international and have nothing to do with Aus or the law...

this incident happened in nsw.... anyhow, do what you like but she no longer has custody of her child...

[melbel]

oops double post...

[melbel]

That would be before the new national laws came into effect then......the laws are different now since March 2010 in NSW

The new national child restraint laws state:

* Children younger than six months must be secured in a rearward facing restraint.
* Children aged six months to under four years must be secured in either a rear or forward facing restraint.

Taken from the NSW Govt website

[willow5]

M2R That's terrible! I feel for your friend When did that happen? The laws are supposed to have changed recently, or at least that is what I thought. I am trying to find out exactly what the laws are now as new seats are coming into stores now. It's ridiculous that you can be charged for trying to make your child safe Is your friend going to get her baby back soon? I really do feel for her, there are parents out there doing horrible, neglectful things and still have their children it's just wrong.

[melbel]

Two things or two sets of regulations have changed which is where it gets confusing. The regulations on the use of carseats have changed, they used to be diff from state to state but over the last eighteen or so months new national laws have been phased in so everyone has to follow the same laws regarding usage...also to confuse the issue the design standards by which carseat manufacturers make the carseats have changed mean carseats have to meet new regulations to be approved...this is still being phased in and new seats are coming the market all the time....it's all a bit confusing in the carseat world at the momentwith everything changing so rapidly......

and yes I am very sorry for your friend M2R it is worng that a person who is trying to keep her child safe should be punished like that....

If you go here you can get a link to the appropriate information for your state willow
2010 National Car Restraints in Each State (map view) | Baby Car Seat: a place to learn Australia standard of infant seat, convertible seat, booster seat

[willow5]

Thanks melbel, I didn't see your other post when I posted before. It is sooo confusing! I want to rear face as long as possible, I think DS is just over 12kg now, but we haven't turned him as length wise it still seems ok, as in his head isn't at or above the seat at the moment. I guess that could be the wrong thing to do but I read that fit is as important as weight too. We want to import a seat but not sure on what happens with insurance. Going on a previous post insurance could be void if you do Shouldn't be this bloody hard !

[buliej]

M2R - that's horrible - and also hard to believe that your child could be taken away for trying to keep them safe by rear facing for longer in a seat that properly fits. Was something else going on (not to insult your friend, but I do find it hard to believe that this was the one & only factor). With plenty of proof that rear facing is safer, the standards in Australia do not make me happy.