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Rules Are Made to be Broken

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Friday, March 2, 2012

Rules Are Made to be Broken

When it comes to driving with my little Princess, I believe in safety first. Recent car seat laws advise parents to keep their children in rare facing seats until the age of two. Normally I'm all for following guidelines to a tee. But in this case, I have no choice but to break the rules.

Before I went into labor, my hubby installed the car seat and had it checked by the state police. We planned on having Princess rare facing until she reached 24 months, as the new law states. However, I've noticed that she's getting way too big for her backwards chair. At her last check up, the doc told me she was in the 90th percentile in the height department. She's about 33 1/2 inches and she weighs approximately 24 lbs. Her legs are getting so long, her knees are almost touching her chest.

No leg room
The new guidelines state:
"Keep a baby rear-facing in a convertible seat until he or she reaches the maximum height or weight allowed by the manufacturer. For many children that will be 30, 35 or even 40 pounds. Many kids will be over age 2 when they reach that weight. Rear-facing occupants are safest."

The car seat we have allows up to 65 pounds. That means under these rules, Princess will be in elementary school before we can even turn her seat around! I've debated this issue for quite some time. I do understand that rear facing offers the best protection possible. But, I also believe comfort is just as important. So, I made an executive decision to turn the darn thing around.

Princess is so happy to be forward facing!
Do you believe in keeping your kiddo rear facing until 2 years old?
Weather Anchor Mama

Labels:

posted by Weather Anchor Mama @ 10:22 AM   13 Comments

13 Comments:

At March 2, 2012 at 10:33 AM , Blogger Kimmygurl said...

I don't know where "they" come up with those guidelines. "Legally" Cam was supposed to using a booster seat until a few months ago. Stacy...picture Cam in a booster seat -__-. I have a friend that does everything by the book. Her son is 5 and very big for his age and she still puts him in a car seat because he is like 2 pounds under the required weight to switch to a booster. I think common sense is key is these cases. Princess looks much happier and comfortable facing forward.

 
At March 2, 2012 at 11:02 AM , Blogger Weather Anchor Mama said...

lol! A few months ago?? That's hilarious!! For real? Thank goodness. I was prepared to get some hate comments on this one. I'm glad you agree. You should have seen her when we turned it around. She was so excited! It's like she was saying, "I can see everything now!"

 
At March 2, 2012 at 12:23 PM , Blogger Sensational Finds said...

I totally agree with you on the carseat being uncomfortable rear-facing. We as well made an executive decision to turn Baby B around, and he's much happier!

 
At March 2, 2012 at 7:39 PM , Blogger allie said...

Wow maybe I am too the extreme but I kept my nephew in his booster seat until his legs could actually folder comfortably bend over the back seat and that he was the correct weight. Maybe that's because I used to be an officer?

 
At March 2, 2012 at 7:41 PM , Blogger allie said...

Wow maybe I am too the extreme but I kept my nephew in his booster seat until his legs could actually comfortably bend over the back seat and that he was the correct weight. Maybe that's because I used to be an officer?

 
At March 2, 2012 at 10:25 PM , Blogger Quiana said...

How timely! Coming from Manhattan and not having a car to now being in Jersey with Zip Car we discuss car seat issues all the time in my family. My parents don't understand why I insist on having Nia who's 18 months stay rear-facing and DH hates bringing the car seat along and installing it into the Zip Car.

I explained to my parents that times change and research can make us better informed so I go with the research and who knows, when Nia has her kids they'll change it again. Same thing with the "back is best" sleeping campaign I guess! And about DH and the car seat I didn't understand this until I went to Nigeria and failed to see one infant/toddler in a car seat. There were even babies being held by their parents on motorbikes! I think Americans are way more into safety than other countries - not that it's a bad thing - but it definitely put things into perspective for me.

 
At March 3, 2012 at 10:26 PM , Blogger Pegster said...

As a parent, I think we make the best decision for our kids with the information we have available at the time. Ultimately, the parent make the final decision. I was going to turn T-man around too than I was in a car accident a few weeks back and decided that a little discomfort won't kill him. I think this is a personal decision and you have to be comfortable with it.

 
At March 3, 2012 at 10:52 PM , Blogger Weather Anchor Mama said...

OMG! Was T-man in the car when you were in the accident? Are you guys ok? That was why I struggled with turning the car seat around. Accidents!!! I did read an article that advised following the guidelines. It stated a little discomfort is worth possible damage in the end. Now my hubby is debating on weather on not to put the seat in the middle. You're so right about it being a personal decision. I so undertand why you would keep in rear facing. How old is your cutie pie?

 
At March 5, 2012 at 8:52 PM , Blogger Pegster said...

T-man was in the car with me. The accident was not that bad, no one was hurt but both cars were damaged. There was more of a shock than anything else. But it scared the hell out of me so I decided to keep him rear facing for now. T-man is 19 months (can't believe it) he weighed 26lbs and was 32.5 inches at his last appointment. I am waiting a few months and revisiting the issue, he does look uncomfortable back there the poor little guy.

 
At March 5, 2012 at 10:30 PM , Blogger Weather Anchor Mama said...

Awww. Glad you guys are ok! You have to do what's best for T-man. This whole car seat issue can be tough. I hate thinking about accidents, but it can happen any time. I wanted to hold out for as long as possible before turning the seat around. A week before turning the seat around, Princess threw up everywhere! I was on my way to drop her off at daycare. She wasn't eating or drinking in the car, but had had breakfast before heading out. When I pulled into the lot and walked around to open her door, there was vomit everywhere! I think that was what did it for me. I freaked out! What if she choked at couldn't breath? I took her to the doc later that day. I was told that she was ok. Thank goodness nothing bad happened. I feel comfortable now that she's forward facing. But, I still think about accidents. Is T-man in the middle? Debating on making that switch.

 
At March 8, 2012 at 9:27 PM , Blogger Jessica said...

I was a bad mommy...I turned Skyler forward about a month and a half before she turned one. Mostly because of the comfort issue, but also because after a HORRIBLE 4 hour car trip (8 hrs round-trip) I figured out that she was miserable riding rear-facing. A friend of mine proceeded to give me crap for it but like I told her, she's a giant! She's 13 months, 33 in. tall, and 23 lbs. She has the muscle tone required to sit forward facing and quite honestly, I'm more worried about her breaking her dern legs on impact from being all squished up while rear-facing! Like others have said, ultimately it's all about common sense and what the (well-researched and intelligent) parent sees fit!

 
At March 8, 2012 at 9:31 PM , Blogger Weather Anchor Mama said...

Nothing wrong with that! Sometimes I think these laws are a bit overboard. 8 hours rear facing would be tough on Princess too. You're a great mommy!:)

 
At March 9, 2012 at 12:07 AM , Blogger Rania said...

I agree when there is no room and the kid's knees are up to their chest, it's time. Regardless of "laws". I think it could do more damage that way if they were actually in an accident.

My daughter, who is now three, has been forward facing for two years.

 

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