Why keep babies rear facing?

L

LyndaSLP

Guest
Why keep babies rear facing?

Hi! I am so happy to find this board... have so many questions!

Can anyone tell me WHY it is important to keep one's baby rear-facing (in his car seat) until he is one year old AND weighs 20 lbs?? If you could point me to a website that has that info, I would greatly appreciate it!

I understand why, but my girlfriend does not. She has an 8 month old girl and has turned her car seat to front facing b/c (and these are her words), "She is a bit advanced physically and has the neck muscles needed to sit forward. That and it makes her stop screaming during car trips."

A website w/ explaination why would help me -- I could forward it to her.

TIA!
 
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C

Caviller

Guest
Rear Facing Is Safest

A simple explanation is all that is necessary.

Imagine a frontal crash, a head-on with another vehicle at high speeds. This is the most common and severe type of crash.

If the baby is in a rear-facing seat, it's whole body is cradled by the back of the carseat. The head, neck and body will all be cradled by the shell of the seat.

If the baby is front-facing, only the narrow harness straps hold the baby, and nothing holds the baby's head and neck in place!

Not only is rear-facing safest for babies up to 1 year AND 12 months, it is safest for ALL passengers, even adults. Unfortunately, adults are not usually able to ride this way, but toddlers can up to the 30-35 pound weight limits of current convertible carseats.

This issue is covered in the FAQ at this website. Click the FAQ link under the banner at the top, and go to Question #6. Or try this link below:

user.mc.net/~carseat/faq.html#Q6

The answer includes a nice article you can print, too.
 
K

kymberlee26

Guest
Pull an electrical cord out of a socket by its wire...

...that's what happens to a baby turned forward too soon.

www.carseat.org/Technical...mportant,6

Also, Sweden rearfaces their children to 3 and 4 years of age because they know that they are safer this way.

(Sorry for the late reply)
 

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