We can't get the seat secure enough in the middle when we RF. But it's very secure FF. I prefer to have my daughter in the middle as it is so much safer. A study I read, linked through another thread here, confirmed what I thought when it stated that it is 43% safer in the middle. But, my daughter is 31 pounds and 33" tall at 21 months. I know that RF is recommended so I have been struggling with this. Is it safer to be FF in the middle or RF on the side?
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FF Center vs RF Side
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I drive a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer and we have a Graco MyRide65. The rear seat is divided so that it is like this: [___][_] Hope my diagram makes sense. The seat is flat across but the seat cushions are secrete between the middle and right cushion. RF in the middle wobbles because the carseat slides between the seat cushions. FF is secure, probably partly due to the tether. There is nobody else riding in the backseat. 
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bree
Car-Seat.Org Ambassador
I posted the same question on a car seat message board almost 6.5 years ago; I figured I'd pay it forward by reassuring you that RF is safer like the posters then did for me. This video is about 1 minute long, and I think it provides a good visual about why RF is safer. While the video focuses on frontal collisions (the most common type of collision), I think it makes it clear what exactly the dangers to young FF children are. RF is safer in side impacts (you can read through this study for more info: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2598309/).
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sssIsceKd6U"]Rear facing vs forward facing position in the car - YouTube[/ame]
This video is about 1 minute long, and I think it provides a good visual about why RF is safer. While the video focuses on frontal collisions (the most common type of collision), I think it makes it clear what exactly the dangers to young FF children are. RF is safer in side impacts (you can read through this study for more info: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2598309/). [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sssIsceKd6U"]Rear facing vs forward facing position in the car - YouTube[/ame]
This is the study I'm referring to that states it's 43% safer in the middle.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/121/5/e1342.full
Brianna
New member
Try pulling back the cover around the cup holder to expose the seat belt. Put some body weight in the seat and pull the seat belt tight from in the belt path, then lock it by pulling the seatbelt out all the way. Check for movement at the belt path only, it should not move more than one inch side to side or front to back when you use the force of a firm handshake.
When the seat is outgrown RF and you install FF, test for tightness the same way before you remove the slack from the tether. The tether isn't what should make the installation secure.
When the seat is outgrown RF and you install FF, test for tightness the same way before you remove the slack from the tether. The tether isn't what should make the installation secure.
I posted the same question on a car seat message board almost 6.5 years ago; I figured I'd pay it forward by reassuring you that RF is safer like the posters then did for me.
Bree, thank you! I watched the video and I will go read the link now. I also found another link that I'm looking into. This the kind of info I was looking for. I want to do the best for my daughter but I also want to know why so I've been very frustrated that evey time I ask the question (I've asked elsewhere too) all I get is "RF is better" without actually providing a detailed answer to my question.
That's not really helping.
Brianna
New member
This is full of information on RF http://carseatblog.com/5168/why-rear-facing-is-better-your-rf-link-guide/
Carseat.se had good info too
Carseat.se had good info too
tiggercat
New member
Actually, Judi's number is the most directly comparable. Follow my logic:
Middle vs outboard is 43% safer
RF vs FF is 532% safer
If you look at the order of magnitudes here, there is a much bigger safety increase to be had for rearfacing over selecting a center seating position.
Bottom line, I'd try for a RF install in the center first, but if that wasn't possible, I would install outboard RF.
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Middle vs outboard is 43% safer
RF vs FF is 532% safer
If you look at the order of magnitudes here, there is a much bigger safety increase to be had for rearfacing over selecting a center seating position.
Bottom line, I'd try for a RF install in the center first, but if that wasn't possible, I would install outboard RF.
Sent from my iPod touch using Car-Seat.Org
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bree
Car-Seat.Org Ambassador
You're welcome! It's a lot of info to research, and I remember being completely overwhelmed trying to figure everything out when my oldest was a baby. I feel lucky that I found out all the info about RF, and now hanging out here at car-seat.org lets me keep up with all the new info about other car seat safety issues.
Thanks, Brianna! I just sent my husband an email (he's asleep) so we can discuss in the morning, with the links and the video from above. This is just what I needed to make the decision. Just need to get my husband on board. I think once he reads the links and watches the video he will be.
Thank you, ladies!
Thank you, ladies!
tiggercat
New member
Are you looking for resources to explain why rearfacing is better? I read your initial post as wanting stats/numbers, so I think others may have too. If you phrase your request a bit differently, and ask for explanations of why rearfacing is safer, you may be more likely to get the information you are looking for.
The short answer is that rearfacing reduces the risk of spinal injury by keeping the head, neck and spine protected against the back of the restraint.
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MommyShannon
New member
There are no standards for side impact protection on carseats, but there are several videos on youtube showing side impact crash tests. The MyRide appeared to do better than some other seats. It doesn't mean the other seats aren't safe especially since side impact protection depends a lot on the vehicle, but this video might reassure you more. http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=l9dN2t3NcpM&desktop_uri=/watch?v=l9dN2t3NcpM
MommyShannon
New member
The seat needs to be secure enough before adding the top tether. I agree with rf for now though.
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