My daughter is 4.5 and we only faced her forward about 3 months ago, when she finally hit the weight limit for rear facing.

Anonymous wrote:My DD is 2.5 and I think she's the only kid in her daycare class who is still rear facing. Everybody flipped their car seat around when their kid turned 2.

My son turned 3 in January and same here. I dont see any other kids RF. Hes 35lbs so we have 5 more lbs to go. Hoping we can make it til 4.

Exactly at 2 for my son. Probably 23 months for my daughter (second child, bigger kid).

We did it at 3.5 for carpool line at preschool.

My DD is 2.5 and I think she's the only kid in her daycare class who is still rear facing. Everybody flipped their car seat around when their kid turned 2.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This debate reminds me of sleep training. Those who don't need to do if for their kids (because they have good sleepers) think it's barbaric. Those of you lucky enough to not have kids who puke or cry the whole time their rear-facing congratulate themselves on their superior parenting. Believe me, people don't turn their kids around because they like to live on the edge, we do it because we have no choice.

There is also a humblebrag element of my kid is so skinny and light.

Well, I'm the pp with the 4.5yo rf. She's 96th% height and weight last check so that's definitely not my angle!

Anonymous wrote:This debate reminds me of sleep training. Those who don't need to do if for their kids (because they have good sleepers) think it's barbaric. Those of you lucky enough to not have kids who puke or cry the whole time their rear-facing congratulate themselves on their superior parenting. Believe me, people don't turn their kids around because they like to live on the edge, we do it because we have no choice.

There is also a humblebrag element of my kid is so skinny and light.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Car seat tech here: to answer your question, is it horrible to turn it around when she is 2....... It will be horrible for everyone if you get in a bad accident and she breaks her neck or gets a serious spine injury right? Keep her rear facing until she exceeds the height/weight of the seat she is in. Our recommendation is at least age 3, preferably 4. Don’t worry about their legs, they can hang over the side or sit cross crossed. It’s the neck/spine you need to be concerned about.

NP here. Is 2 not the current recommendation?

no, the guideline changed s couple of years ago. Now it’s until your child reaches the max height/ weight of a RF seat ( not a bucket carrier)

Ha, according to these guidelines my petite 7 year old should still be in a rear facing car seat.

Anonymous wrote:This debate reminds me of sleep training. Those who don't need to do if for their kids (because they have good sleepers) think it's barbaric. Those of you lucky enough to not have kids who puke or cry the whole time their rear-facing congratulate themselves on their superior parenting. Believe me, people don't turn their kids around because they like to live on the edge, we do it because we have no choice.

I am the car seat tech. You would be amazed how little knowledge some people have. I did an inCant seat yesterday. The Mom had the seat just seating on the back seat in the base facing forward. ( not installed and no baby) and as I took it out and started installing it she said “ oh, it faces that way?” She had no clue and all these seats come with manuals and diagrams on the side of them. Also....... a kid throwing up constitutes a medical reason for turning child earlier. Kid constantly screaming is the same if it affects your driving.

Anonymous wrote:This debate reminds me of sleep training. Those who don't need to do if for their kids (because they have good sleepers) think it's barbaric. Those of you lucky enough to not have kids who puke or cry the whole time their rear-facing congratulate themselves on their superior parenting. Believe me, people don't turn their kids around because they like to live on the edge, we do it because we have no choice.

I'm sure some parents turn their kids because they have no choice. But I know a lot more who have turned their kids around because "they refuse to be rear facing", i.e. kept whining at around 2, and the parents took the easy way out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Car seat tech here: to answer your question, is it horrible to turn it around when she is 2....... It will be horrible for everyone if you get in a bad accident and she breaks her neck or gets a serious spine injury right? Keep her rear facing until she exceeds the height/weight of the seat she is in. Our recommendation is at least age 3, preferably 4. Don’t worry about their legs, they can hang over the side or sit cross crossed. It’s the neck/spine you need to be concerned about.

NP here. Is 2 not the current recommendation?

no, the guideline changed s couple of years ago. Now it’s until your child reaches the max height/ weight of a RF seat ( not a bucket carrier)

My 4.5yo is 48"and still comfortably rear facing. We rarely drive (1x/month?) and also aren't around others driving much, so there's no peer pressure component. It's safer and she doesn't mind it so who knows how long we'll keep her there. Hey carseat is rated RF to 65lbs. She's probably 45lbs now.

Its actually more uncomfortable sitting with your feet dangling than having them in a bent position like when rear facing. My DS is 2.5, 40 inches tall, 30lbs. I plan to keep him rear facing until he's maxed out the height limit of our seat of 43 inches. Hopefully at least one more year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age does matter. It has to do with the maturity of the muscles and bones of the neck.

Legs being scrunched up really isn't a problem, unless the kid is uncomfortable. Think about it, you don't fully extend your own legs when riding in a car.

https://thecarseatlady.com/when-should-your-child-turn-forward-facing/

I mean...that's a pretty big problem. I imagine most people turn their kids around because their kids are uncomfortable. I know we did. What kid is comfortable sitting like that?

I think most are feel fine. They don’t know any different and they are super flexible. My four year old never said a word.

DP. You clearly don't have a child that HATES the car. Many children that scream nonstop in a rear facing car seat are much more comfortable forward facing, and you can tell by the fact that they stop screaming.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Age does matter. It has to do with the maturity of the muscles and bones of the neck.

Legs being scrunched up really isn't a problem, unless the kid is uncomfortable. Think about it, you don't fully extend your own legs when riding in a car.

https://thecarseatlady.com/when-should-your-child-turn-forward-facing/

I mean...that's a pretty big problem. I imagine most people turn their kids around because their kids are uncomfortable. I know we did. What kid is comfortable sitting like that?

I think most are feel fine. They don’t know any different and they are super flexible. My four year old never said a word.