Legs hanging off the side of rear facing seat - problem?

Angela

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #1

I had a parent tell me last night that her pediatrician said that her son should be rear facing until he starts to throw his legs over the side of the seat. I know this isn't an issue, since I've seen so many pics on here of ERF kiddos with their legs hanging off. I can see where the pediatrician is coming from because what happens in a side impact? Wouldn't it be possible that they would break a leg? I was stumped what to tell her last night. Does this concern anyone else? I know it is SO much safer for the spine for a child to ERF, but how do we answer concerns about legs hanging off?

 

Brianna

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #2

I've always heard broken leg = cast it, broken neck = casket.

 

Pixels

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #3

Sure, it's possible that the kid will break a leg rear facing. The kid could also assume the same posture FFing and not only break their leg, but also be at significantly increased risk of internal decapitation.

Internal decapitation trumps broken leg.

 

Angela

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #4

That was my thought, but wanted to verify.

 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician

• Aug 17, 2011

• #5

I tell my daughter not to hang her leg over the side next to the door. She doesn't always listen, but I'm not going to turn her FF because of it. And for what it's worth, my boostered son sticks his leg between the seat and the door a lot, too, so direction doesn't necessarily solve the problem.

 

J

Jessica61624

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #6

The only seat my kids hang their legs over is the Radian. I'd point out ff has a greater chance of broken legs.

 

luckyclov

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #7

Anything is possible, I guess.
But the alternative has a much longer and scarier "risk" list and potentially irreversible.

So, sign me up for the broken leg. All day long. For as long as possible.

 

J

jnamommy

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #8

My dd hangs her legs over the side of her seats. In the van and the expedition, she is outboard. I accept that she could end up with a broken leg in a side impact collision. I am willing to take that risk for the huge benefits of RFing. Broken leg....cast for a while, maybe PT, but not life threatening or life altering.

 

emtb79

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #9

My nephew used to hang his legs over the Nautilus all the tip and put them up on the door all the time.

 

monica-m

CPST Instructor

• Aug 17, 2011

• #10

I would love it if pediatricians would stick to what they know and quit giving bad car seat advice.

 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus

• Aug 17, 2011

• #11

Arms and legs go flying in a crash. Doesn't really matter where they start out, though I can see it possibly being a greater risk of getting crushed if they're outboard in a side-impact. But like someone else pointed out, they can do the same thing FF.

 

lovemybabies924

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #12

That's why I got an advocate instead of a radian so babies legs are contained and ds who is outboard is in a frontier so his lags can't reach to hang over by the door... But my anxiety makes me think like that

Sent from my iPod touch, sorry for any auto-correct typos!

 

luckyclov

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #13

That's why I got an advocate instead of a radian

Click to expand...

Actually, that's why I switched the MA70 to our primary seat over the RN. You're not the only one who thinks like that!

 

Angela

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #14

This family had a MA70 and a Scenera. So I really don't foresee it being a problem, but I wanted to make sure I was prepared in case it comes up again.

 

SAHDADDY

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #15

briheartzu said:

I've always heard broken leg = cast it, broken neck = casket.

Click to expand...

:yeahthatlove:

 

F

flyever

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #16

lovemybabies924 said:

That's why I got an advocate instead of a radian so babies legs are contained

Click to expand...

Is it because an advocate is wider than a radian? I remember a radian has more leg room than an advocate. You are talking about RF or FF?

 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician

• Aug 17, 2011

• #17

The Advocate has taller sides, so it's harder for kids to throw their legs over. The Radian essentially has no sides in the seat area, so it's much easier.

 

cookie123

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #18

Matthew doesn't do that now that he's ff in his Radian. It did concern me when he did though.

 

B

bnsnyde

New member

• Aug 17, 2011

• #19

My concern is my 3.5-year-old does that and the van door could close on her leg. I mean, it's supposed to stop, but still.

She is still RF (and will be) but I always try to be careful with the door!

 

Little Ps Mama

New member

• Aug 18, 2011

• #20

monica-m said:

I would love it if pediatricians would stick to what they know and quit giving bad car seat advice.

Click to expand...

:yeahthatmad: