Carseat and Automobile Safety - Page 2

Mama Bird · 04-23-2009, 09:22:11 PM

I saw an article in one of the parenting magazines (Parents? Parenting? I'm not sure which) about this. So excited that they are spreading the word!! Let's keep our children safe!

JOURDYSMOM · 04-27-2009, 09:14:54 PM

I turned my first DD on her 1st B-day...I had NO clue you COULD keep the RF for longer

DD #2 was turned FF at 8 months due to a medical condition where she did not fit in a RF car seat (full body cast) I was SO scared we only left the house to go to dr appts...

DD#3 was RF until 16 months when I had DD#4 and the 2 car seats would not fit next to each otehr RF....

DD#4 (16 months) is still in her RF Graco Safeseat infant carrier...and will go RF in her Britax Marathon as soon as she outgrows the carrier

MrsPinecone · 06-12-2009, 09:21:58 AM

Rear-Facing Car Seats Safest for Kids Up to Age 4 - ABC News

A recommendation for rear-facing until age 4!

MrsPinecone · 02-03-2010, 06:27:09 AM

Bumping-- my cousin wanted to turn her baby at 10 months. I yelled at her.

We have lots of new parents who may not know the safest options for their children.

DD (14 months, 25 lb) will stay RF until the weight limits of the seat and/or she outgrows it by height.

DS (3.2 years, 35 lbs) will stay in a 5 point harness as long as possible-- boosters are NOT safe until a kid won't mess with the seatbelt, won't fall asleep, won't slide around... so even the law of 4 years/40 pounds is not the safest option.

mamawhit322 · 02-03-2010, 11:01:52 AM

Just wanted to let people know: The new Radian80 XTSL will RF untl 45 pounds! They run $300, but totally worth it as you can keep your child RF that long, then in a 5pt harness until 80 pounds. They also have side impact protection. The newer Radian80 XT doesn't have the side impact protection, but they RF until 45 pounds also.

Sunshine Kids RadianXTSL Converible Car Seat Car Seats

We got the XTSL for our new baby... DS1 (26 months) is still RF in a 2 year old Radian80, but he's pushing the 35lb RF limit. We're going to swap the boys seats as soon as DS1 hits 35lbs. He'll go into the XTSL until he's 45lbs. Then back to his original Radian80 FF and DS2 will be back in his XTSL.

anothershopper2 · 02-03-2010, 02:16:22 PM

I have a question - I really want to keep DD rear facing until at least 2 years of age. She will have no problems with the weight limits. We have a Britax Marathon - and she's tiny in comparison to other 15 month olds. But she has longish legs and they are close to hitting the backseat. Is it ok? Is it a sign that we should be turning her around when it does? or do her legs have to bend for it to work? Thanks.

amylynne01 · 02-03-2010, 02:37:40 PM

It is totally okay for legs to hit the back of the seat! My DD sits crisscross applesauce or hangs her legs over the side of the seat or props them up on the backseat. She's never complained about her legs.

The only indications that should warrant turning FFing are A. less than 1" of shell over your DD's head or B. hitting the RFing weight limit (35lbs on the Marathon). Other seats offer tons more leg room than the Marathon when ERFing, like any of the Radians or the Safety First Complete Air. Britaxes tend to have the least amount of leg room for RFing kids.

JOURDYSMOM · 06-30-2010, 11:08:16 AM

DID YOU KNOW... The chest clip should sit at armpit level?

DID YOU KNOW... putting your child in the car is the most dangerous thing your child does every day?

DID YOU KNOW... motor vehicle accidents are the number 1 killer of children?

DID YOU KNOW... according to a recent NHTSA study, 3 out of 4 kids are not as secure in the car as they should be because their car seats are not being used correctly?

DID YOU KNOW... you should replace your seat if involved in a car crash?

DID YOU KNOW... you can keep your little one rear facing past the age of 1 year old and 20 pounds? You child would be 75% less likely to die or be seriously injured and it will give your child optimal protection?

DID YOU KNOW... the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) is now recommending children stay rear facing AT LEAST to the age of 2 years old and 30 pounds? Extended Rear-Facing up to 3 or even 4 years old is becoming more popular, as it is the safest in the event of a crash.

DID YOU KNOW... children under the age of 5 in booster seats are more likely to experience head and abdominal injuries than their harnessed counterparts?

DID YOU KNOW... children should remain harnessed until they are mature enough & big enough to sit in a booster, which is typically around age 6 or 7?

DID YOU KNOW... a child should stay in a booster till the age of 8 years old OR 4 feet 9 inches?

DID YOU KNOW... children should not ride in the front seat (especially Rear-Facing children), when a back seat is available, until at least age 13?

DID YOU KNOW... you cannot use both the latch and seat belt to install your car seat?

DID YOU KNOW... you should never buy a used car seat from someone you do not know?

DID YOU KNOW... car seats expire?

DID YOU KNOW... there is not a "BEST" car seat out on the market, the BEST car seat is one that fits your child and your car, that you can use properly EVERY ride. It is not a one size fits all?

DID YOU KNOW... when rear facing the child's harness straps need to be coming at or below their shoulders and when forward facing they must come from at or above their shoulders?

DID YOU KNOW...If you can pinch any slack on the harness strap (by the chest) it's too loose and needs to be tightened. Straps should stay on the shoulders at ALL times.

DID YOU KNOW...no bulky clothing or jackets should be worn while in the car seat. If you have to loosen the harness straps to accommodate the clothing then it is to bulky and should be removed as it is not safe! Put the jacket on backwards after bucking the child in, or use a blanket.

DID YOU KNOW... you should NEVER use a seat over the weight limit? Also they have outgrown the car seat rear facing when there is less than 1 inch of hard shell above their head. When forward facing the child has outgrown the seat when the top USABLE harness slots are coming from behind the shoulders or the op of the child's ears are above the top of the shell (whichever comes first).

DID YOU KNOW... you should not use any aftermarket products (meaning any product that did not come with your car seat) like bundle me's, car seat cover straps, head supports, custom made covers, etc? This will void the warranty of your seat not to mention these products just are not safe to use with your seat as they have not been crash tested by the car seat manufacturer.

DID YOU KNOW...not all car seats fit ALL babies, some convertibles will work for newborns, others will not, some infant seats are MADE for preemies, others are not. For example a Britax convertible can not be used with a newborn, a preemie under 5lbs can not fit in a Graco Safeseat.

DID YOU KNOW...you can take your child and your car seat to a Certified Car Passenger Safety Tech to have your seat properly installed. They will teach and show you how to do it yourself as well! They will also show you how to buckle your child up safely as well :) You can find a CPST in your area at: http://seatcheck.org

More info can be obtained at www.car-seat.org