Moving to a forward facing car seat at 7 months
Today we have fitted a forward facing seat to our car, as my daughter's head is now only just below the top of her rear facing car seat.
We've looked around for a bigger rear facing seat, but there aren't any that will fit in our 3 door car.
My wife is still worried as the guidelines state that your child should be 9 months and 20 pounds before you put them in a forward facing seat, however Abby is 7 months old, but at the size and development stage of at least a 9 month old.
My thinking is that given her size and developmental stage, this is the safest thing for her - what do you guys think?
We've looked around for a bigger rear facing seat, but there aren't any that will fit in our 3 door car.
My wife is still worried as the guidelines state that your child should be 9 months and 20 pounds before you put them in a forward facing seat, however Abby is 7 months old, but at the size and development stage of at least a 9 month old.
My thinking is that given her size and developmental stage, this is the safest thing for her - what do you guys think?
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Replies
u may find this website helpful
http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/
hth xxx
I'm normally the sort of person who tends to see a lot of restrictions as guidelines, but this is one I personally wouldn't dare to ignore.
With the speed Abby is growing, her head will be popping over the top within the next fortnight.
By development, I was mainly referring to her size but also, how long she has had excellent head control - as she is ahead in all areas, in every way other than age she is (according to the charts and lists) the same as an average 9 month old.
We don't know how much Abby weighs, as she hasn't been weighed in a few weeks, but by my reckoning (and extrapolation of her weight chart) she must be at least 8kg
I'll keep Abby in her rear facing seat for the moment, however it still looks as though I have no option other than using the forward facing one once her head reaches the top.
[Modified by: Abby's Dad on November 29, 2009 09:19 AM]
My dd has just turned 12 months and is still in her rear-facing. Her head is still below the top of the seat and she is 19lb. We have the next stage on car-seat but still haven't put her in it yet as I think she is still safer in the rear-facing. If you're in any doubt at all about what to do I would take her into a large mothercare or halfords in her rear-facing and ask for some advice. Even if you're not going to buy a seat from them in my experience they're always happy to offer advice. We did this with our dd last month and were advised to keep her in her rear-facing for a while longer.
I would recomend that you keep Abby in a RF seat until her head actually reaches the top (but from your post - I know this might not be long) if the First Class will fit in your car, then I would recomend that as an option - but I know (from experience) that there are a lot of cars that this seat wont fit in - and it is better to be FF early than in a seat that is incorectly fitted.
Also - it would be lovely to wait until 9 months if you can, but it is far far safer to go FF than to stay in a RF seat that is too small.
HTH
Nx
xx
So I was reluctant to spend a lot of money (it is an expensive seat) on something that might not even fit properly, I know this sounds really awful though,
Nx
xx
However when I went back to work my mum helped out with childcare and rather than get a rear facing seat in her car she got a concord ultimax in her car which he was in, rear facing until 10months.
But the concord didn't fit our car so we bought the Recaro Young Sport for our car and it is a much better fit and he's been in that forward facing from 11months. S x
Not sure how you could find out, we had to trek both cars to the shop to make sure they fitted ok. You could try giving the importers a ring, the number is 01273 764744 (I googled it) and see if they can help you, or you could find a local stockist and pretend you are thinking of buying one maybe?
xx
dont want to shock you but this may help your decision
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2DVfqFhseo
beccie
Suz what car do you have? (not being nosey, just wondered as it doesn't fit in yours!)