Hi! Thank you very much for the info, Wendy! I honestly had never even heard of rear facing for longer than 1 year. I am educated, read every book about childbirth prep and baby sleep and several about baby rearing, but nowhere have I heard of doing this. We were really looking forward to turning DD around because she absolutely hates HATES being in the car. For the first 5 months, I endured every trip to the grocery store, doctor, etc. with screaming tears. If the trip was longer than 15 minutes (most were not), she would 'crash' fall asleep fitfully and wake up a few minutes later screaming. My nerves are frayed! I know she is comfortable because if I ride in the back with her while DH drives, she is fine - happy and laughing. It's simply because she can't see us. I have a baby mirror (plastic/intended for this purpose) in front of her so that she can see me when I turn around. Singing, music, toys, snacks help, but she just hates it.
I am not looking forward to having to explain this to friends and family - we have done everything differently (natural birth, babywearing, extended bfing, no pacifiers, no juice, no sugar, yada yada). The facts listed on the blog are hard to refute, but why have I never heard of this?
Is there any way to be sure that these models will fit ahead of time? I'll kick myself if I have to return one! (Young sport is still for sale on Amazon - I read about it elsewhere online, so I didn't know it was discontinued - thanks!)
Pippi - I don't remember what model Snugride we have - I'll have to go look. She still has plenty of room above her head, but we are on the highest slot for the restraint. She seems very comfortable in it (aside from aforementioned). She is 28" and 22lbs. now.
Thank you!