What would you do? rf vs. ff

U

Unregistered

Guest
I have a 19mo. old who is 26lbs and 34" tall. She is currently rf in a Britax Roundabout. We will be taking a 12hr car trip next month, with a lot of time being spent in the car once we arrive, and I'm not sure weather to keep her rf or turn her ff. She has about 1" left from the top of her head to the top of the shell (maybe a little more) and her legs are pretty scrunched (she has to sit with her legs criss-crossed). We drive a Honda Oddessy and she sits in the seat behind the driver. We are currently using the tether. Should I keep her rf and a bit uncomfertable? Turn her around and not worry about her? I feel guilty turning her around just to make the trip a little easier! Help!
 
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murphydog77

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Definitely stay rear-facing

While it's hard to say that one type of driving is safer than another (city vs. highway), highway driving has a lot of factors that can make it dangerous. When you take a road trip, you're driving at higher speeds plus you have the added risk of driver fatigue. Rear-facing is very much the safer way to travel, so I would leave your daughter facing back.

One trick you can try to give her more leg room is to recline the vehicle seat a bit. Keep in mind that if you do that, your car seat installation will loosen, so tighten it up accordingly.
 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician
I have my 3.5 yo RF in a Marathon (and that's a terrific suggestion Heather made to recline the seat a little, if it's not already, it give them a little more space), and TBH, I think she's a little MORE comfortable RF than FF...she can cross her legs, or put them straight up and back... she's slightly more reclined and sleeps a little easier, and she drops her toys less! You might want to spend some time sitting in back with her so she's not lonely (unless she has a big sib next to her already), but really, sitting FF and dangling her legs for all those hours is not going to be more comfortable than RF, IMO http://pages.ivillage.com/joolsplus2/
 

SafeDad

CPSDarren - Admin
Staff member
Hi-

Rear-facing is certainly safest, but of course if the child doesn't tolerate it then it will not be a fun trip for anyone. My DD is just over 32 months, just over 30 pounds and just over 36" tall and still rear-facing in her Roundabout in the 2nd row captains chair of our Odyssey. A fairly recent photo is at the bottom of this page: http://www.car-safety.org/odyssey.html . I do have the seat back reclined fully, as Heather suggested.

I hope that helps! We also have a page on the benefits of <a href="http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html">rear-facing</A>.
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
Thank You

Thank you all for your help! I have 3 other children and the one that sits behind her will just have to deal with the seat being reclined (it wasn't, but will be!). I have been getting a lot of pressure from others to turn her around (gosh, her legs look so uncomfortable, Isn't she to old to be rear-facing, etc.), so I am very thankful for your responses!
 

MyLittleTyke

Senior Community Member
stay rf'ing!

It's not that bad! I just finished a 16 hour drive across the country with my 23 month old son who is rf'ing in a Marathon. Bring lots of food and some toys to occupy the kids. I brought a bottle of bubbles for my son blew bubbles in the van. He thought that was neat!

Sara
 

CandCfam

New member
been there, done that :)

Just wanted to post that we recently moved from Seattle, WA to Northwest Arkansas... 2200 miles, with a 1-year old. I wouldn't have even thought of FF her for a trip like that - I wanted her to be as safe as possible. She did beautifully - the RF wasn't an issue of not being comforatable; and someone was always in the backseat with her to keep her company. Have fun on your trip and know that your dd in RF will be the safesty possible.
 
G

ginny

Guest
About reclining the vehicle seat...

Since you mentioned there will be a child in the back seat, please be sure that there is suffient room between the child and the reclined vehicle seat. I would make sure there is at least 2 feet between the child's face and the seat back in front of them.

I do encourage you to keep your baby rear-facing though. I still have my 18 month old rear-facing (19 pounds and 34"... he's tall and skinny!) and plan on it for quite some time, at least until he porks up a bit more!

-Ginny
 

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