Tech Advice Needed

[babychild taxi]

Hi,

I'm writing for my friend who has a 16 month old with special needs and a lot of them are physical needs. He has just turned 20lbs and I have recommended he remain rear facing in a convertible (like a Scenera or Evenflo). I've explained the benefits of rear facing especially for this little guy and why car seats expire.

My friend talked with one of the therapists from the local child development centre who is apparently knowledgeable about carseats. She told my friend that baby would be fine FF in the Evenflo Bolero (was sister's) and she could even recline the seat a bit....yikes!

I've directed my friend to this site, but I'm wondering if anyone could add info, direct her to some other sites that may help her in her decision. We live in different cities (in Canada).

Thank you so much

[mommy-medic]

If the child has extra physical needs, that is all the more reason to keep him rear facing as long as possible! the links below say it all.

check out www.joelsjourney.org
and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRP7ynNI8mI

[Judi]

If the child has extra physical needs, that is all the more reason to keep him rear facing as long as possible! the links below say it all.

Yes, exactly. We were taught in the special needs class to rear face as long as possible and harness as long as possibe.

[spokaneCPST]

This is a great site with different special needs described and the types of restraints that are good option with those needs in mind. They do recommend RF as long as possible.
http://www.preventinjury.org/SNTmedCond.asp

[mommycat]

Depending on where she lives, he may not even be legal to FF until he is 22 lbs, let alone safe.

Also, I believe that while the Generation does recline (a tiny bit) the Bolero does NOT. Was she suggesting somehow "building" a recline into the install?! Apparently the therapist may have been knowledgable about carseats at one point but is not nearly up to date with best practice and what is currently considered safe. :( If she does end up using the Bolero, please have her make sure that it is not expired.

[babychild taxi]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for all your replies. I will forward them to my friend shortly. To mommycat: she lives in Ontario, and the Bolero has not expired. I bought it with her in late 2006 while visiting and it has a DOM of 2 mos. earlier. I was shocked at the suggestions given by the therapist. My professional training is as a child development specialist so I keep up to date on these things and for the little friends I take on outings here in BC. I've been gently encouraging my friend about baby staying rear facing for as long as possible in a seat that has not expired (their current convertible has). Since they have a large family I'm encouraging them to get a Scenera of Evenflo seat. It's so hard to see babies turned FF too early and what gets me is ALL the expired carseats around.....I think there needs to be more public information on all this.

If there are any more suggestions, please pass them along.

Thanks so much,
Kathy