WWYD?

[Artechim]

I have a friend that is the mum of one of DS's kindy friends. She now has a 8 week old baby. I noticed when her baby was a couple of weeks old that her capsule was facing forward but gave her the benefit of the doubt and thought it might of got left like that when she took the baby out. A couple of weeks ago I saw that she actually was putting her newborn in the capsule forward facing. So I said something to her - I went with the 'you will get fined' route but threw in a bit about what happens to their neck in an accident. She said that it didn't fit in properly behind the drivers seat when rear facing so she had it forward until her DH moves the back seat back, but that she would get him to do it that day.

So, last week I saw that she still has the capsule facing forward (but she has added a blanket over the window so people can't see in easily). I have said something, she chose not to do anything. Is it any of my business or should I just butt out now? Or should I say something else? I would feel super awkward bringing it up again.

**In NZ a capsule is not required to have a base and is held in by the seatbelt. It is not installed as such as it is restrapped every time you put it back in.

[Fleur]

Hrmmm , awkward. If it were someting else I would probably go with 'you mentioned it & she chose not to take it on'... but being in a car I guess this would be worrying. I don't know how you can bring it up again without coming across kind of overbearing though. Can you get someone else to mention it? It's easier to ignore one person, than two or three. Maybe one of the kindy staff?

[RhiChiChi]

I don't think there is anything more to say - you pointed it out and she chose to ignore you. I really don't know whatelse you can do.

[anney]

Maybe her dh hasn't done it yet or they can't move the seat. By putting the blanket up might be a sign she knows it is not quite right so there is probably a reason why she has it the wrong way. So I think it would be really awkward to say something more.

[nickle730]

I'm not sure of the laws in NZ pertaining to child restraints. In Aus a baby of that age must be transported in a rear facing restraint. Since you said she might be fined, I assume the law is the same in NZ? I like Fleur's suggestion of getting the kinder teacher to say something, but she might not want to get involved. Honestly, I would go and have a chat to the local police. It's just too important to not do anything. Hopefully the police will be prepared to go and have a chat to her to convince her to restrain he baby appropriately. I don't imagine she will get a fine unless the police actually stop her with the baby forward facing, but even if she does get a fine... she's breaking the law!

I know some people will have the attitude that it's none of your business, you've had your say, now butt out. I work for the emergency services and have over the past 13 years treated countless children injured in car accidents due to being improperly restrained. I have seen children killed because they were not in an appropriate restraint. Like I said, I reckon it's too important to let it go and do nothing.

[willow5]

Good for you for saying something to start with! That must have been very awkward. I am an absolute cars seat safety freak (hence the little RF seat in my avvy ) I'm with Nickle730, I would get her rego and notify the police. Then your conscience is clear if something happens. In an accident a FF baby is at high risk of spinal injuries even death. If the police don't do anything then you have done your part there isn't much else you can do. Sad that the mother isn't as worried about her baby's safety as we are though Maybe she's not aware I guess

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

I would bring it up once more, saying you're really concerned about her bub in the case of an accident. If she still doesn't do it, then I'd give up.

[Cassius2]

I alert the police with her plate number. tell them that you dont feel that she is a bad person but would like a welfare check in relation to the car seat...or something like that. they might be able to pull her over, or meet her at home.

good on you for saying something in teh first place babe, that takes courage!

[Nai]

I'd casually ask " so how did you go with getting the seat moved?" and see what she says.

[Ambersky]

Or maybe "has your DH not done that yet? Oh my gosh you must be so mad at him!" I could not ignore it either....