Last month the American Academy of Pediatrics put out new guidelines for car seat safety. The organization is now recommending that children stay rear-facing until the age of 2, or until they outgrow the height/weight limitations of the seat. We recently researched Consumer Reports and purchased Adam's next seat, even though he still fits in his infant rear-facing seat. The new seat can be placed forward or rear-facing. Initially I installed it forward-facing since he was 1 year old and 20 lbs, even though I knew in the back of my mind that rear-facing was safer. I LOVED looking in the back seat and seeing him facing forward, looking out the side and front windows. So much more to see!
Then these new recommendations came out, and I felt like I wasn't doing what was best for him by having him forward. I have switched his seat back to rear-facing, and I must say, I MISS him! We have the mirror so we can see him, but it's just not the same. Plus, the seat is so bulky backwards.Looking at him in his seat yesterday I realized something -- his feet nearly touch the back of the seat in front of him. Long before he's 2 years those legs won't be able to be straightened as there's not enough room. This leads me to wonder -- is there even a rear-facing seat on the market that would accommodate a 2-year old? Or will he just have to sit Indian-style back there?
Selfishly, I want him forward, but I will wait until his little legs look too uncomfortable to stay rear-facing.
P.S. I can't wait for this day!
Bud and I read about that new recommendation, too. We both thought the same thing. There's NO way any of our kids could have fit in the carseat facing backwards without the actual seats of the car being constructed differently. It IS a conspiracy, I tell ya!
ReplyDeleteYes! And it's also a conspiracy as to the number of car seats 1 child will go through. Adam started in the infant seat, then is now in the toddler seat. Someday his sibling will need that seat and he'll need a convertible seat/booster seat... I mean, seriously? At least 3 seats for him? Geez.
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