Question Would you FF at age 3?

Little Ps Mama · Feb 28, 2011

I am debating whether or not to turn DS this September when he turns 3 in order to allow us some more leg room in the front. Right now we have two RF seats in our Ford Fusion and it's a tight fit with DS in a MR behind the passenger and DS2 in a CCO in the center. Once DS2 outgrows the CCO he will probably also move into a MR which will go behind the driver and space will be much tighter.

(We also have a Sienna and he will more than likely stay RFing in that vehicle.)

Would you feel comfortable turning a child FF at age 3?

Baylor · Feb 28, 2011

My DS just turned 3 and has been FF for awhile because he is a big boy, (42lbs) and out grew his seats by weight. If he still met the weight requirement He would be RFing. It is just one more step to keep them safe. He was RF to the seat limit and then turned.

mcomommy · Feb 28, 2011

Three is my minimum for forward facing so yes I would turn them at three if need be. My DD2 turned at three because she was begging too, she wanted to sit like sissy and after rear facing for three years I was okay with letting her have some say in the situation.

msg221 · Feb 28, 2011

Nour and Zain will turn 3 in May, but as long as they fit in their seats RF, they will remain that way. Neither of them have complained about being RF. They had been FF in their parent's vehicle for a very short time, but then they turned them back RF.

I am very nervous about having to turn Zain around as he is 4 pounds away from the RF limit on his TFP. I have mentioned before that I might just have him and Nour swap seats at that point, since she's in a MA70 and it goes to 40 lbs. He won't have as much leg room though.

BabyKaykes · Feb 28, 2011

3yo is my minimum as well. So yes.

Mommy0608 · Feb 28, 2011

Yes. I think DS is going to turn FF at age 3 in August. As much as I'd really, really like to keep him RF, he's just getting too close to the limit in one of his seats. I won't be buying another seat to keep him RF if he reaches the limit at age 3 (if he hits the limit before his birthday, then I will consider getting another 40lb RF seat). He has been asking to ride FF for a while, so he'll probably turn FF in my van in a FR85 and I'll move his Radian to DH's Civic to stay RF in that vehicle for a while longer. Even though the van is the primary vehicle, I feel it's a safer vehicle than DH's Civic, so if he can only RF in one of them, it'll be DH's car.

A 3 year old IS very safe in a properly used, top tethered FF seat. Yes, RF may still be safer, but we do know that FF at 3 is not unsafe.

DahliaRW · Feb 28, 2011

I have an would.

kalamos23 · Feb 28, 2011

DD is 37 lbs and will be turned at 3 or shortly thereafter most likely, whenever she hits the 40lb weight limit on the RXT. I will keep her RFing as long as she is under though.

Mom2three · Feb 28, 2011

Little Ps Mama said:
I am debating whether or not to turn DS this September when he turns 3 in order to allow us some more leg room in the front. Right now we have two RF seats in our Ford Fusion and it's a tight fit with DS in a MR behind the passenger and DS2 in a CCO in the center. Once DS2 outgrows the CCO he will probably also move into a MR which will go behind the driver and space will be much tighter.

(We also have a Sienna and he will more than likely stay RFing in that vehicle.)

Would you feel comfortable turning a child FF at age 3?

Three is my personal minimum. My DD made it to 4, and could still RF but is FF now. I am not sure that my DS will make it that long though. If I didn't have another option I would turn at 3. If you want him to stay RF can you install the CCO outboard and the MR center? That would allow more legroom for the driver if the MR is there now.

fyrfightermomma · Feb 28, 2011

Mommy0608 said:
Yes. I think DS is going to turn FF at age 3 in August. As much as I'd really, really like to keep him RF, he's just getting too close to the limit in one of his seats. I won't be buying another seat to keep him RF if he reaches the limit at age 3 (if he hits the limit before his birthday, then I will consider getting another 40lb RF seat). He has been asking to ride FF for a while, so he'll probably turn FF in my van in a FR85 and I'll move his Radian to DH's Civic to stay RF in that vehicle for a while longer. Even though the van is the primary vehicle, I feel it's a safer vehicle than DH's Civic, so if he can only RF in one of them, it'll be DH's car.

A 3 year old IS very safe in a properly used, top tethered FF seat. Yes, RF may still be safer, but we do know that FF at 3 is not unsafe.

How in the world do you have a baby old enough to be talking about FFing him?!?!?! Didn't you just have that little boy?????

fyrfightermomma · Feb 28, 2011

My 2nd child was about 3 1/2 because she was 38 lbs (40 lb seat).

At 3, yes. I would be comfortable.

An Aurora · Feb 28, 2011

Your MyRide looks pretty reclined; if you put it more upright you might have more room up front.

Otherwise, it's up to you if you are comfortable FF'ing at 3. My DD2 was FF right after 3 since she was escaping her straps and it was easier for me to keep an eye on her if she were FF. She went back RF a couple of months later when she was a bit more reasonable

and will RF until at least 4.

Little Ps Mama · Feb 28, 2011

An Aurora said:
Your MyRide looks pretty reclined; if you put it more upright you might have more room up front.

That pic is actually of our Sienna.

He's as upright as I can get him in our Ford Fusion, which is our secondary vehicle anyway. He would probably stay RF in the van for a while longer.

all together ooky · Feb 28, 2011

I think I'm going to have to FF Nora at 3 in DH's car. She close to outgrowing the MyRide by height and I just don't know if I can justify buying another Radian. I don't like it-I was really hoping to make 4 but she's so tall. At least she doesn't ride with DH too often. She'll continue RFing in the van.

Mommy0608 · Feb 28, 2011

fyrfightermomma said:
How in the world do you have a baby old enough to be talking about FFing him?!?!?! Didn't you just have that little boy?????

I know, doesn't seem possible! Fortunately, August is still several months away. He is growing up so fast though... he has lost that babyish look and now looks (and talks!) like a little boy.

mommyfrog · Feb 28, 2011

I'm shooting for 4+, so no I wouldn't turn at three. All the research I've read say the bones finish maturing (ossifying?) sometime between 3 and 6, so I figure the farther past 3 you can get, the better.

monica-m · Feb 28, 2011

In my opinion, FF at 3 is perfectly fine, especially in a secondary vehicle. Good job making it this far.

amyd · Feb 28, 2011

Yep, I would, especially in a secondary vehicle.

hrice · Feb 28, 2011

mommyfrog said:
I'm shooting for 4+, so no I wouldn't turn at three. All the research I've read say the bones finish maturing (ossifying?) sometime between 3 and 6, so I figure the farther past 3 you can get, the better.

This is me. Colton will be 3 and June and he still seems too little to me. Plus he is way under the limits of all my seats and I just bought a Multi Tech.

Mommy2Marcus · Feb 28, 2011

My goal was 3 & we made it to that plus a couple of months. At that point I turned him even though he fit b/c it was getting very hard for me to keep him RF & for me to buckle him without killing myself. I felt comfortable with turning him b/c I knew his seat was properly installed, top tethered & used properly.

So for me, as long as you're comfortable with turning him, then I think that 3 is a fine age to turn them. Also make sure that you have a top tether to use!

Question Would you FF at age 3?

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