Just need to know at what weight you can turn the baby's carseat facing forward? My son is afraid of driving at night, and I think it's because he can't see anything or us. Thanks!
They say to wait until their first birthday to face them forward...even if they do seem big enough to face forward....I just asked my doctor because I was wondering the same thing...
Your baby needs to be 20 1bs AND 1 yr old before you turn his carseat facing forward. In the meantime get some carseat toys, talk or sing to him, ect to safely keep him entertained. Hang in there he'll be ready before you know it. When in doubt your carseat should have these instructions on them or consult your pediatrician. It really bothers me when I see babies careseat changed too early....and too late for that matter, (if the baby is in an infant carseat) either can put the child in danger.
The recommendation as everyone has states is 20lbs and or 1yr old.
My youngest didn't like it so I looked up the reason WHY it was recommended to wait. It's a very serious medical reason having to do with the rigidity of a baby's bones.
An infant's bones are still soft and in the case of an accident even at 25mph the bones in the spine may not hold together and you risk major spinal cord injury if not death. Think about what can happen if you pull an electric cord from the socket by the cord instead of the plug. Same thing.
That's why even though they say 1 yr it's even more beneficial to wait even longer- to make sure that the bones in the neck are able to hold together.
you can turn him around at 1 year old and when he weighs 20 pounds
It is safe when he outgrows the rear-facing limits of his convertible car seat. To make a long story short, here is why: http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx
And since he was born 6 weeks early, you need to go w/the adjusted age. So, if the recomendation is turn at 12 months, you would wait until 14 monhts.. Make sense? but I highly recomend not turning him forward facing until he has outgrow the rear-facing limits of his convertible car seat.
As for the fear of night, I would suggest getting some sort of soft night light or something like that.. I would get one of these(http://www.babyant.com/bv022123.html) and risk that rather than risking a broken neck/internal decapitation due to forward-facing too soon..
Wait until he is one. I think they make Mirrors that you can put on the car for him to see you. Check our Babies R Us.
The rule is 1 year or 20 lbs .But I still believe that it is safer for the baby in the event of a crash to face back. That way if the glass shatters you don't get it in the face. I know the baby wants to see so they want you turn them around right away.Great addition to your carseat is at www.icepals.com so good luck and don't rush for babies sake.
My understandding when I tood the car safety class, was when your child is at least 1 year AND 20 lbs. The instructor recommended to wait longer closer to 2 years but that was a more personal choice. My son is about to turn 1 in a few weeks and I will have him face forward so that he can enjoy the car rides.
The general rule is 1 year, however I found out that it is 1 year and 20lbs.
Your son has to be both 12 months old and 22 pounds to be facing foward.
Sorry, but 7 months is WAY too young to turn around. The general rule in CA is 1 year AND 20 lbs. However the longer the stay rear facing, the safer. My ped said NEVER move the child to forward facing before they are STEADY walkers. He gave me the go aead to turn my son around at 11 months beacuse he was walking so well. Had I known it was safer for him to stay turned around anyway, I probably would have toughed it out a couple more months.
If he really is affraid of the dark, then try singing soothing songs, have someone sit next to him, or put him to sleep before you start driving. Also, at home you can play crawling cames with him that encourage him to go into dark places. My son has NEVER been affraid of the dark. Since he started crawling I'd have him "chase" me down the hall, into a bedroom or bathroom and have him find me. He still loves this game and he's now 2 1/2.
He may be board or uncomfortable. My son HATED the car seat that you carry, but LOVED his Britax Roundabout. If you don't own a convertable carseat, I would ABSOLUTELY buy a Britax. My son has NEVER complained about sitting in his car seat since we started using Britax. If I were buying a convertable now I'd get Britax® Marathon Convertible Car Seat - New Denim for $249.99 at ToysRUs. I'd get the Marathon instead of the Roundabout because the Roundabout only goes to 40 lbs, where as the Marathon goes to 65 lbs, ALWAYS using a 5 point harness. A lot of forward facing seats only use 5 points to 40 lbs, then you're supposed to use the shoulder strap buckle.
I know I must sound like a Britax Sells Rep, but I swear, it's only because I love the brand SO much. They also get GREAT safety reviews on all the consumer websites!
Hang in there and keep Trysten looking at the world in reverse for now. He only has to wait another 5-6 months before he's big enough. But remember, if he isn't walking yet on his first birthday, his spine will not be strong enough to handle a forward facing accident. Take care, of yourself and Trysten! ~J.
