RA50 or TF for 3 month old...tether

macmomma · Jan 9, 2011

Ok- I got a new car and am wondering if I should move my 3 month old out of the TF w/o headrest into the RA50 so I can tether the car seat?
I am always worried when I can not tether a seat rfing. He was in a MyRide until yesterday but only because it was the only seat that would fit for 3 across in my old car.
What are the pros and cons of RF tether????

Thank you!

wendytthomas · Jan 9, 2011

We don't know that there is one at all. In fact, some would argue it's a disadvantage to not allow the child to ride down the rebound. There is a slight benefit to the tether in a side impact, but nothing has been shown to be a benefit or a disadvantage in a rear or frontal collision.

The Roundabout 50 has high bottom slots. Does your three month old fit in it?

Wendy

Dillipop · Jan 9, 2011

Does your 3 mo fit in the RA50 yet? Mine only fits if she has on cloth diapers and it is *close*. If she slouched even a tiny bit, she wouldn't really fit. However, she fits great in the TFP we just got.

I have heard differing opinions on tethering with little babies. Some say that it's fine, since the seat (RA50) can be tethered. Others tend to think that it could create extra load on a babies neck while rebounding. There's no evidence either way on if it is good or not to tether while rearfacing.

If you are uncomfortable with a nontethered seat and the baby fits the RA50, then you should switch the baby to the seat you are most comfortable with.

macmomma · Jan 9, 2011

Thank you for the replies

Yes, he fits in the RA50- I had him in it the other day in hubby's truck and he was even with the bottom slot. I will try to take a pic tomorrow and let you guys look just to make sure:thumbsup:
I do not know for sure why I am so paranoid about not having a seat tethered rfing..... maybe because we got rear ended a few years ago on the interstate by someone hitting us going over 70mph while we were standing still.... just the though of him hitting the back of the seat... I don't know.... *sigh*

wendytthomas · Jan 9, 2011

Hitting the backseat isn't a problem. It's padded and designed for the average adult male to impact. Your baby, with a shell around them, will be fine even if they do hit the backseat.

Wendy

WhatAboutPuppy · Jan 9, 2011

I understand how you feel... There is just something that makes me feel better about a tethered RF seat. Would I tether a newborn though? no. Because I want that seat to move with that small babe's head, neck and spinal column. I don't the tether to not rebound... meaning only the babe will continue moving towards the rear of the vehicle. Now, an older babe or toddler or preschool has a stronger neck and I feel comfortable that their neck can better withstand the rebound of a tethered seat. As a previous poster mentioned, there have been some benefits in a side impact crash to have a tethered RF'ing seat.

Keep in mind every seat on the market has at least met the standards and has been found safe to use RF.

macmomma · Jan 10, 2011

wendytthomas said:
Hitting the backseat isn't a problem. It's padded and designed for the average adult male to impact. Your baby, with a shell around them, will be fine even if they do hit the backseat.

Wendy

True too! I am just so paranoid

macmomma · Jan 10, 2011

WhatAboutPuppy said:
I understand how you feel... There is just something that makes me feel better about a tethered RF seat. Would I tether a newborn though? no. Because I want that seat to move with that small babe's head, neck and spinal column. I don't the tether to not rebound... meaning only the babe will continue moving towards the rear of the vehicle. Now, an older babe or toddler or preschool has a stronger neck and I feel comfortable that their neck can better withstand the rebound of a tethered seat. As a previous poster mentioned, there have been some benefits in a side impact crash to have a tethered RF'ing seat.

Keep in mind every seat on the market has at least met the standards and has been found safe to use RF.

Soooo- a small infant should not be tethered? At what age would you start tethering the seat?
Gosh- I thought I knew most (as in a lot) about car seat safety (thanks to car-seat.org:thumbsup

but I guess you never stop learning about it.

Thanks for the info!

wendytthomas · Jan 10, 2011

There are no data saying if or when a tether should be used. Some people are comfortable with it from birth, others won't until the child is "bigger" (for some that may be 20 pounds, for others it may be four months, for others it may be two years).

Wendy

RA50 or TF for 3 month old...tether

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