What car seat do you have?  DS is over one, and is huge for his age (87th percentile), and fits with no problems rear facing.

What vehicle do you drive, which seat is the carseat in and what carseat do you have? Maybe you should have the carseat checked by a technician. Some seats aren't compatible with certain cars or being in the middle. My kid is huge and I have no problem getting him into his seat. FYI, many people think it's not correct if their legs can cross RF but it's safe.

I thought they were supposed to be rear facing until 2 now?

Laura62809:

I thought they were supposed to be rear facing until 2 now?

They are, per the AAP. Most state law still permits a switch and one year and 20 lbs.

DS Rear faced until he was 4 with absolutely no problems.  You can have your child cross their legs criss cross applesauce.  Are you sure your seat is installed properly?  My kids are not big, I do know quite a few 90th percentile kids and non had a problem making it to 1 rear facing.

I have a Britax, the second model from the top, but I don't remember the name. I drive a minivan, and it is a captain seat. My husband is a cop, so knows how these things are supposed to be installed, although he has been known to make a mistake or two. Its not that the car seat is too small. Its that it is really difficult to get her into the seat with it rear facing due to her young age and her size. I'm sure when she is older, she can better follow my instructions (I wish!) and cross her legs or move this way or that. Right now, she doesn't want to go in, goes stiff, and starts crying because its so difficult for me to manuever her around. I'm sure you could do a video of me trying to get her in and people would be hysterically laughing at how stupid it gets. I love the seat, DD1 has it forward facing, but rear facing, I want to pull my eye lashes out one by one rather than deal with it. There is no way either of daughters will be rear facing at four. Their father is 6'4 and their legs will probably be in the third row at that point. The next four months should be a blast!!!

DD2 is above the 95% for height and weight.

acaudill75:

I have a Britax, the second model from the top, but I don't remember the name. I drive a minivan, and it is a captain seat. My husband is a cop, so knows how these things are supposed to be installed, although he has been known to make a mistake or two. Its not that the car seat is too small. Its that it is really difficult to get her into the seat with it rear facing due to her young age and her size. I'm sure when she is older, she can better follow my instructions (I wish!) and cross her legs or move this way or that. Right now, she doesn't want to go in, goes stiff, and starts crying because its so difficult for me to manuever her around. I'm sure you could do a video of me trying to get her in and people would be hysterically laughing at how stupid it gets. I love the seat, DD1 has it forward facing, but rear facing, I want to pull my eye lashes out one by one rather than deal with it. There is no way either of daughters will be rear facing at four. Their father is 6'4 and their legs will probably be in the third row at that point. The next four months should be a blast!!!

I'm sorry, but it really sounds like you are making excuses. Not all police officers are trained in car seat installations. I'm sure you trust your husband, but find a certified inspector and have it checked. And, I'm sorry your LO hates the seat, but she needs to be RFing.

It sounds like your child is the issue, not the carseat.  DS tries the same thing where he goes stiff and doesn't want to sit and get strapped in, but I make him.  He obviously has to sit down and if he won't I will pull his feet out from under him and bend his knees so he has to sit.  End of story. I'm the mom, and we have to get in the car.  

mabenner1:

acaudill75:

I have a Britax, the second model from the top, but I don't remember the name. I drive a minivan, and it is a captain seat. My husband is a cop, so knows how these things are supposed to be installed, although he has been known to make a mistake or two. Its not that the car seat is too small. Its that it is really difficult to get her into the seat with it rear facing due to her young age and her size. I'm sure when she is older, she can better follow my instructions (I wish!) and cross her legs or move this way or that. Right now, she doesn't want to go in, goes stiff, and starts crying because its so difficult for me to manuever her around. I'm sure you could do a video of me trying to get her in and people would be hysterically laughing at how stupid it gets. I love the seat, DD1 has it forward facing, but rear facing, I want to pull my eye lashes out one by one rather than deal with it. There is no way either of daughters will be rear facing at four. Their father is 6'4 and their legs will probably be in the third row at that point. The next four months should be a blast!!!

I'm sorry, but it really sounds like you are making excuses. Not all police officers are trained in car seat installations. I'm sure you trust your husband, but find a certified inspector and have it checked. And, I'm sorry your LO hates the seat, but she needs to be RFing.

My husband has been trained and certified. I'm not making excuses; I don't plan on facing her front until she is old enough, but it is difficult to get her in and out. I'm not sure it was your intention to come across as snotty, but you did. I wasn't asking for you cure my ills, just asking if anyone else was having problems.

acaudill75:

mabenner1:

acaudill75:

I have a Britax, the second model from the top, but I don't remember the name. I drive a minivan, and it is a captain seat. My husband is a cop, so knows how these things are supposed to be installed, although he has been known to make a mistake or two. Its not that the car seat is too small. Its that it is really difficult to get her into the seat with it rear facing due to her young age and her size. I'm sure when she is older, she can better follow my instructions (I wish!) and cross her legs or move this way or that. Right now, she doesn't want to go in, goes stiff, and starts crying because its so difficult for me to manuever her around. I'm sure you could do a video of me trying to get her in and people would be hysterically laughing at how stupid it gets. I love the seat, DD1 has it forward facing, but rear facing, I want to pull my eye lashes out one by one rather than deal with it. There is no way either of daughters will be rear facing at four. Their father is 6'4 and their legs will probably be in the third row at that point. The next four months should be a blast!!!

I'm sorry, but it really sounds like you are making excuses. Not all police officers are trained in car seat installations. I'm sure you trust your husband, but find a certified inspector and have it checked. And, I'm sorry your LO hates the seat, but she needs to be RFing.

My husband has been trained and certified. I'm not making excuses; I don't plan on facing her front until she is old enough, but it is difficult to get her in and out. I'm not sure it was your intention to come across as snotty, but you did. I wasn't asking for you cure my ills, just asking if anyone else was having problems.

No, you didn't actually ask a question. You said, I know she's supposed to RF, but... and started to rattle off reasons that you think LO should FF.

Most kids go through a stage where they hate being confined to their seat, period- no matter which way it is facing. My DD comfortably RF until 3 and she crossed her legs, hung them over the sides, or put them straight up the seat. She never complained about her legs. Crossed legs are not a safety issue, but FF is a safety issue.

I never said I thought she should be front facing before one year old. That was your interpretation. I was lamenting the difficulty of her being rear facing with no aspirations to her being front facing until such time that she is physically ready to be front facing. And yes, I did ask a question. It was "Anyone else having this problem?" That is a question, indicated by the question mark at the end of the word 'problem'. The 'but' you are referring to is an indication of my frustration with the difficulty of her being rear facing, not a desire to excuse why I will be turning her around before the appropriate age. One day, when I grow up, I would like to be cool like you.

BTW, thank you to the ladies who had constructive things to say.

acaudill75:

I never said I thought she should be front facing before one year old. That was your interpretation. I was lamenting the difficulty of her being rear facing with no aspirations to her being front facing until such time that she is physically ready to be front facing. And yes, I did ask a question. It was "Anyone else having this problem?" That is a question, indicated by the question mark at the end of the word 'problem'. The 'but' you are referring to is an indication of my frustration with the difficulty of her being rear facing, not a desire to excuse why I will be turning her around before the appropriate age. One day, when I grow up, I would like to be cool like you.

I think people were more reacting to you projecting to turning her at one. 

I will be turning her at one. She'll be bigger at one than many two year olds. I turned DD1 at one, and she was fine. I honestly don't know anyone who has their one year old rear facing. Maybe it's where I live. But even if you don't agree, there's no need to be nasty about it. That's just rude. Not saying you we're rude in your post, just a general rule. There are recommendations that you vaccinate your children and there are plenty of mothers who choose not to. I wouldn't verbally attack someone for that belief, although I don't agree.

 

acaudill75:

I will be turning her at one. She'll be bigger at one than many two year olds. I turned DD1 at one, and she was fine. I honestly don't know anyone who has their one year old rear facing. Maybe it's where I live. But even if you don't agree, there's no need to be nasty about it. That's just rude. Not saying you we're rude in your post, just a general rule. There are recommendations that you vaccinate your children and there are plenty of mothers who choose not to. I wouldn't verbally attack someone for that belief, although I don't agree.

 

Well, you know, you probably didn't ride in a car seat at all! Maybe your kids don't need them. I mean, you're fine, right? 

If you were never in a car accident, of course your kid is fine. But if you were in one, she might not have been.

It's not strictly about size, it's also about muscle development, etc.

My husband is 6'4", the kids still rear faced fine until 3, the 2nd one is rf now at 15 months. If your husband is really a trained and certified tech, he would want them rear facing as long as possible. 

acaudill75:

I will be turning her at one. She'll be bigger at one than many two year olds. I turned DD1 at one, and she was fine. I honestly don't know anyone who has their one year old rear facing. Maybe it's where I live. But even if you don't agree, there's no need to be nasty about it. That's just rude. Not saying you we're rude in your post, just a general rule. There are recommendations that you vaccinate your children and there are plenty of mothers who choose not to. I wouldn't verbally attack someone for that belief, although I don't agree.

 

See, I knew it. You are going to purposefully disregard the AAP, just because your "kid is bigger than other kids."  Lame. Dangerous. And stupid. So, I stand by my original judgements of you-thanks for making them more concrete.

My LO is a bit older than yours but much smaller (like 10-15%) and she is impossible getting in and out of her carseat.  We are still using the infant seat in my Acadia, convertible seat in DH's truck.  She fights us every. single. time.  No advice though, sorry...

It may just be a phase, rebellion, something like that.  Either way, I hope your LO outgrows it soon so you aren't fighting her for the next four months!  GL

Like SunnyDay said, most kids go through a phase where they fight getting into the seat but it passes.  Don't make a big deal about it and baby will get over it eventually.  My oldest (always been 95% for height) was rear facing til 2 and crossed his legs with no complaints.  Even now, at 4 and forward facing, he still sits with his legs crossed and pulled up 75% of the time.  We will be keeping DS2 rear facing until 2 at minimum.

 

When it comes down to it, it is your child and you will do what you want/what works for your family.  Please just know that it's not simply age/height/weight that matters.  Just because your child is bigger at 1 than some 2 year olds doesn't mean that her bones/spinal column are as strong and developed. 

I had a car seat when I was a baby. And to clarify, rear facing until two came out after DD1 turned one. They also recommend you keep your children in a booster seat until the age of 12. I was 5'6 and 120 lbs at the age of twelve. Full grown and capable of having my own babies. These are recommendations. You can wrap your child in bubble wrap and make them wear masks, too. As a PP said, I'm the parent, and I will decide what is best for my child. I wasn't asking for any opinions on when to turn my child or giving any indication that I thought it was a good idea before the age of one. I really don't understand why some of you ladies take it upon yourself to be so nasty when someone is just saying, hey guys, anyone else having similar problems? But, if you want to be nasty, I can give it right back. If I read a post I have nothing constructive to offer on, I don't answer. I just wish it was the same for all. But this a public forum, and when I post things I guess I have to accept that there are people who feel free to hide behind their anonymity and say things they would never say to a persons face because it is socially unacceptable to be rude just for the sake of being rude. Rant over.

acaudill75:

I had a car seat when I was a baby. And to clarify, rear facing until two came out after DD1 turned one. They also recommend you keep your children in a booster seat until the age of 12. I was 5'6 and 120 lbs at the age of twelve. Full grown and capable of having my own babies. These are recommendations. You can wrap your child in bubble wrap and make them wear masks, too. As a PP said, I'm the parent, and I will decide what is best for my child. I wasn't asking for any opinions on when to turn my child or giving any indication that I thought it was a good idea before the age of one. I really don't understand why some of you ladies take it upon yourself to be so nasty when someone is just saying, hey guys, anyone else having similar problems? But, if you want to be nasty, I can give it right back. If I read a post I have nothing constructive to offer on, I don't answer. I just wish it was the same for all. But this a public forum, and when I post things I guess I have to accept that there are people who feel free to hide behind their anonymity and say things they would never say to a persons face because it is socially unacceptable to be rude just for the sake of being rude. Rant over.

You aren't getting much constructive input because there is nothing good about blatantly ignoring safety directives because you feel like it. Our pediatrician told us today we could turn Ds forward facing, and while I love our pedi, I trust the aap and the national highway whatever a lot more.

acaudill75:

I had a car seat when I was a baby. And to clarify, rear facing until two came out after DD1 turned one. They also recommend you keep your children in a booster seat until the age of 12. I was 5'6 and 120 lbs at the age of twelve. Full grown and capable of having my own babies. These are recommendations. You can wrap your child in bubble wrap and make them wear masks, too. As a PP said, I'm the parent, and I will decide what is best for my child. I wasn't asking for any opinions on when to turn my child or giving any indication that I thought it was a good idea before the age of one. I really don't understand why some of you ladies take it upon yourself to be so nasty when someone is just saying, hey guys, anyone else having similar problems? But, if you want to be nasty, I can give it right back. If I read a post I have nothing constructive to offer on, I don't answer. I just wish it was the same for all. But this a public forum, and when I post things I guess I have to accept that there are people who feel free to hide behind their anonymity and say things they would never say to a persons face because it is socially unacceptable to be rude just for the sake of being rude. Rant over.

 

First, rear-facing til 2 is actually NOT a new recommendation. It has always been the stance of NHTSA. It has also been the stance of many car seat manufacturers. The issue being is that people get so caught up on 1 AND 20 as being some sort of milestone. Its not. It is simply the minimum that a child can forward face is a seat. Not all seats though. If you own a Dorel, Cosco or Safety 1st seat, those seats require children be 1 year, 22lbs AND 34" tall in order to forward face.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently upped their minimum, but like I said it has been a recommendation for a long time. My daughter is going to be 5, and I knew about it when she was born in 2008. If you read the manual for your seat, you will see that it will state to rear-face until the limits of the seat OR at least 1 year and 20lbs. 

 I currently follow the blog of a woman who was involved in a head on collision last year. Her 18 month old was forward facing, and he was internally decapitated instantly. He had absolutely NO outward injuries.

No, you can't keep your kids in a bubble, but since they ride in cars on a daily basis, this is one thing that is not worth budging on. 

Knowledge is power. 

 

** FWIW, My son is probably 36" tall at least and close to 30lbs. He is still rear-facing in several different seats. Our goal is to make it to 3, and I don't see that not happening. I may be more passionate about it than most, because I happen to be a tech, but their safety is my biggest priority and I see no reason to do anything differently at this point. 

You should easily be able to rear-face her in your vehicle as well. You have more space than most people. I rear-faced my daughter from birth til 2, and then from 2.5-3 in a Pontiac G6, which was a PITA to get her in and out of. 

acaudill75:

I will be turning her at one. She'll be bigger at one than many two year olds. I turned DD1 at one, and she was fine. I honestly don't know anyone who has their one year old rear facing. Maybe it's where I live. But even if you don't agree, there's no need to be nasty about it. That's just rude. Not saying you we're rude in your post, just a general rule. There are recommendations that you vaccinate your children and there are plenty of mothers who choose not to. I wouldn't verbally attack someone for that belief, although I don't agree.

 

My DD has been at the top percentiles all along (99%+ for height, 90% for weight right now, switched to a convertible seat at 6 months) and I have no intention of turning her around.  It's not a size thing with turning your child around at one (like you stated you will do in this post).  Got google?  Type in 'internal decapitation.'  I agree with whoever suggested the problem is probably the child, not the car seat.  DD threw a fit when I put her in the seat tonight.  I waited until she calmed a bit, sat her in the seat and strapped her in.  It sucks to listen to her cry while I'm driving, but this is one area that she doesn't get a choice.  Nobody is being nasty, you're coming across the wrong way.

And maybe it is the seat.  Maybe your LO isn't comfortable because of the seat as in brand, not position.  DD tucks her legs in, she doesn't know any other way.  

ETA: Also, car seat use is a hot topic on these boards.  Many women have done research, many women choose to agree with the "suggested" recommendations.  There's no reason to get so defensive.  In the end, you're the one that has to live with your choices.

We recently went on a road trip and my son was over being in the car. I started giving him an incentive to sit down like a mummum or a toy. He sat right and was easier to strap in. It's not an every time thing but I use it when the usual distraction like singing or making silly faces doesn't work.

acaudill75:

I will be turning her at one. She'll be bigger at one than many two year olds. I turned DD1 at one, and she was fine. I honestly don't know anyone who has their one year old rear facing. Maybe it's where I live. But even if you don't agree, there's no need to be nasty about it. That's just rude. Not saying you we're rude in your post, just a general rule. There are recommendations that you vaccinate your children and there are plenty of mothers who choose not to. I wouldn't verbally attack someone for that belief, although I don't agree.

 

I can't believe you have a husband who is a cop who sees car accidents as a part of his job and he wouldn't put his foot down about turning a kid FFing at one.  That's just all sorts of wrong.I don't know about you but the paperwork my ped gives at the 12 month visit specifically states that children need to RF until at least 2.

My kid is huge and 15 months old.  We have the little Britax (Roundabout) and two tiny cars with teeny tiny backseats and he is RFing with no issues and will stay that way until he outgrows the RFing limits of the seat.  Yes sometimes he fights it and it's annoying.  But I'm the parent and I make the safety decisions, not him. 

People are jumping on you not to be rude but because you're putting your own convenience above the safety of your child. Just like if you weren't vaccinating your kid and there was no medical reason not to.  Sometimes people should hear that they're doing something ridiculous.  And sometimes it's just too hard to keep your mouth shut when you see someone doing something that endangers their child.

acaudill75:

I had a car seat when I was a baby. And to clarify, rear facing until two came out after DD1 turned one. They also recommend you keep your children in a booster seat until the age of 12. I was 5'6 and 120 lbs at the age of twelve. Full grown and capable of having my own babies. These are recommendations. You can wrap your child in bubble wrap and make them wear masks, too. As a PP said, I'm the parent, and I will decide what is best for my child. I wasn't asking for any opinions on when to turn my child or giving any indication that I thought it was a good idea before the age of one. I really don't understand why some of you ladies take it upon yourself to be so nasty when someone is just saying, hey guys, anyone else having similar problems? But, if you want to be nasty, I can give it right back. If I read a post I have nothing constructive to offer on, I don't answer. I just wish it was the same for all. But this a public forum, and when I post things I guess I have to accept that there are people who feel free to hide behind their anonymity and say things they would never say to a persons face because it is socially unacceptable to be rude just for the sake of being rude. Rant over.

You're talking out your ass because you don't even understand the laws, the recommendations and reasons behind them.  Booster seat use is mandated to certain ages OR certain heights/weights - whichever comes first.  In MA it's 12 yo OR 4'9 so don't go spouting how you would have been a 5'6 12 year old in a booster because it's just not true.

And rf/ff has zero to do with the size of the child and everything to do with the ability of their neck and spine to absorb the impact of a crash.  Some people have a  6 month old bigger than a 1 year old.  By your reasoning, that child should be allowed to ff due to her size.  Or how about 3 year olds the size of 5 year olds.  Maybe we should enroll them in kindergarten.  You can see how size, physical structure and mental preparedness are not all connected, right?

OP

Watch this and tell me you still think it's a good idea to turn your child FF at one year

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKIeExpDLDA

acaudill75:

I have a Britax, the second model from the top, but I don't remember the name. I drive a minivan, and it is a captain seat. My husband is a cop, so knows how these things are supposed to be installed, although he has been known to make a mistake or two. Its not that the car seat is too small. Its that it is really difficult to get her into the seat with it rear facing due to her young age and her size. I'm sure when she is older, she can better follow my instructions (I wish!) and cross her legs or move this way or that. Right now, she doesn't want to go in, goes stiff, and starts crying because its so difficult for me to manuever her around. I'm sure you could do a video of me trying to get her in and people would be hysterically laughing at how stupid it gets. I love the seat, DD1 has it forward facing, but rear facing, I want to pull my eye lashes out one by one rather than deal with it. There is no way either of daughters will be rear facing at four. Their father is 6'4 and their legs will probably be in the third row at that point. The next four months should be a blast!!!

I have a Britax convertible in a captain seat in our minivan and my 18 month old has absolutely no problems RF.  It really does sound like you're trying to make excuses, particularly after reading other responses.  The "I did it with my first child and she's just fine" argument does not fly with car seat safety.  One accident and you'd be changing your tune.  We totaled our first minivan with DD RF (around 8 months old) and it was terrifying--I cannot imagine what would have happened if she had been FF.