Rear/Forward Baby Car Seat

Apologies if this has been asked before ..

My DS is almost 7 months old and weighs 9kg. We still have him in his rear facing car seat, and I'm wondering when to switch it around to forward facing.

I think there would be some definate advantages having him forward facing, but I've heard its much safer to be rear facing as long as possible. All my 'mothers group' friends seemed to have switched their babies around ASAP, I'm just wondering whether other Mums have taken a similar approach? If so, when did you do it and what was the driver for doing it earlier rather than later?

Thanks

I was the same, thought it would be better to turn her round, much easier, but some one in my bellie buddies group sent me a link of a 'you tube' video about what happens in a crash to a forward and rear facing baby....its worth a look if you can find it, im keeping my DD in a rear facing aslong as she will fit after seeing it !! But i think the recomendation is 12 kgs...im not sure on that though.

It is now recommended that you wait to turn them around until they are at least 12 months old. I turned my DS2 around a few weeks after his first birthday. I saw the You Tube clip that beckoes is referring to and it cemented my decision to leave him rearward facing until 12 months.

The thread with the You Tube clip link is here: https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ard-video.html

We must have a similar car seat hun, ours says 9kg max as well, and when I asked Kidsafe I think they're called they said that you *can* leave them in there although they don't actually know if its safe (so really no help there) however Jazz is very long now (6 months, 10kg, and 75cm long!) and her legs were bent up when she was in the car seat so we made the decision to turn the seat around. I have seen the videos and all that but not sure exactly how a bub can actually stay rear facing for that long with their legs all bent up...? Jazz was pushing her feet against the seat and cracking it big time already. Maybe most bubs are more patient than mine?

Maybe if you're bub isn't a long bub buy a car seat that does to 12kg rear facing?

Oh, and her cracking it wasn't why we turned it either, just mentioning it as I can't imagine most babies would like being all scrunched up? Does anyone elses chuck a wobbley because they can't stratch their legs out?

We have a big seat that is max 12kg at rearward facing, so we waited until he was 12kg (I think around 9 months - he's a big boy).

Most of the convertible seats that only go up to 9kg are made by IGC. Personally I don't like them. They are cheaper for a reason. Many of the rear facing arms that fold under for forward facing tend to warp out of shape long before a child reaches 18kg forward facing. I am very picky now that I have tried them, and I will not buy a rearfacing seat that does not go up to 12 kg.

i turned my dd at 7 months and 9kgs , i think i might have a similar seat .
Having been in an accident when maya was 10 months old where i hit a cow in the middle of the high way on a blind crn , she was in no way harmed and the seat did not move and it was only the noise i think that made her wail . i of course replaced the seat then , but i like some one else up there found she was at the edge of it and un comfortable and stoped screaming cause she could see me the min a turned it .
i didnt walk away from my acident i had to be cut out , by dd was fine not even a scratch . i have a Baby Love seat

Unfortunately our seat is 9kg max for rear facing, and Ashton is over that so he is forward facing :(

I don't like to go over the weight limits because they are there for a reason, to tell you the max weight it is SAFE (and tested) to have your baby in that position for.

They really need to make them for bigger kids. In the USA you can get rear facing seats for toddlers!

What are the brands/seats that are rearward up to 12kg?

Generally Safe 'n' Sound and the Hipod from Target and Cargo from Big W are reversibles that go to 12kg

I have a Safe & Sound "Guardian" reversable seat for DS which is suitable up to 12kgs in rearward postion.

what weight does safe and sound meridian go to rear facing?? (i have misplaced book)

Thanks - I was looking at the SnS ones anyway :)

yeah mine is a mothers choice.
I have a turn a tot too. Anyone know what the weight of that is?

Missymoo, i have a turn a tot (can't remember the model name but the delux one) and it is to 12 kg.
I also have a mothers choice and that is unfortunately 9kg so DS is forward facing in daddy's car and still rear in mine.

Thanks Janine

Yes the TaT wont fit in the car with the 2 infa vera boosters for the boys so we have to use the other one. But now I know it's 12kg will be using it for times when it's just Ash.

Mel what brand is written on the stabilising arm of the mother's choice seat?

Hi Feeb I looked it up on the britax site for you and it says 12 kilos, if you need to look at any info on adjusting the seat as bub grows you can download insturctions manual on there site.

ahh thanks hun thats great to know