Turning a just turned 2 year old FFing for convenience

[JamRowZ]

Our just turned 2 YO is in a Radian that goes to 40 lbs rear-facing. She weighs around 25 lbs so could probably rear-face until she hits the rear-facing height limit which might be years at the rate she's going. We have trouble tightening the straps because her legs are so crunched up against the backseat and she's continually trying to sit in her older brothers FFing Radian so the issue in her mind is rear-facing. If I was really convinced that it's a huge safety difference for a 2 YO, I would continue spending 10 minutes buckling her through a tantrum. We kept ds rear-facing until almost 3 when he hit 40lbs (he was much heavier). She on the other hand is super tall and skinny and all legs so her legs are more scrunched than when we turned him forward. DH really wants to turn her forward for multiple convenience reasons. I either need a good safety argument backed up by data on kids over age 2 or assurance that at age 2, it's not such a big deal.

Among other things, DH (6'4") can't ride in the passenger seat of our Honda Civic with the Radian rear-facing behind it, even with the angle adjuster. Without the angle adjuster she would have more legroom, but then noone can use the front passenger seat. She also pinches and pokes her brother all through car rides and DH thinks she will have a harder time reaching him if she's forward facing. The last ultimate convenience reason is the only person who can reach her or see what's happening with her when she's rear-facing is her brother. I get that these really are conveniences and not at all safety related. If I'm keeping her 0.01% safer by keeping her rear-facing past 2 then I'm not sure RFing longer is worth the bother. If on the other hand she's 50% more likely to survive a crash rear-facing or avoid a spinal injury AFTER age 2 then I might be convinced. I presume there's more data on this than when I went through this dilemma with our son several years ago. He also was happy to stay RFing longer and I was riding in the backseat (which I can't easily do with both carseats in back).

Thanks!

 

[MommyShannon]

This gives a lot of good info. The videos really convinced me to keep DD2 rf still at 3.5. Can you put both kids outboard to separate them more? How tall is she? Maybe a new seat would work better and make her prefer her new "rf only" seat. My DD2 doesn't know her seat can ff like her older siblings' seats since they are different. She loves her "butterfly" seat so she doesn't want to give that up.
http://carseatblog.com/5168/why-rear-facing-is-better-your-rf-link-guide/
ETA: I'm thinking a classic Marathon would be a good option since its tall and doesn't take up much room. It's also easy to use even though it doesn't have a ton of legroom.

 

[Brigala]

Data for rear facing children over age two is limited because, frankly, very few families actually continue RF past two in North America.

However, we do know a few things:

1) For kids ages 1-2, rear facing offers 5 times greater protection against death and serious injury.

2) There is no magic car seat fairy that visits on the 2nd birthday to instantly and drastically reduce that number.

3) It's not until age 4-6 or so when the spine begins to be about as sturdy as an adult's.

4) Rear-facing would be safer for everyone, if we all had seats to accommodate us.

In terms of passenger space, why not put the rear-facing child in the center and put the forward-facing child outboard? Then you should be able to put the front seats all or most of the way back, especially if you use the angle adjuster.

My daughter sometimes wants to ride like her (adult) brothers and will plant her butt firmly in their seats and grab the seat belt rather than get into the rear-facing seat. This was a HUGE problem for a while, resulting in a lot of wrestling matches to get her into her own seat. But she's almost 3 now, and for the last few months she's finally been more cooperative, especially since she's learning to help buckle her own harness. That makes her feel like a big girl. I suspect if you just push through it, your daughter will eventually get past this stage and be fine with her seat.

On the other hand, you have done a great job keeping your LO rear facing to age two. If you choose to turn her forward facing now, nobody should fault you for that. This is your decision to make.

 

[bree]

I just figured I'd share some links about rear-facing beyond 2 that may be helpful.

I think this video (nice and short at about 1 minute) helps to explain why rear-facing until closer to 4 is an idea to consider:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sssIsceKd6U"]Rear facing vs forward facing position in the car - YouTube[/ame]

Also, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recommendations are to keep children under 4 rear-facing in their convertibles as long as they fit RF: http://www.safercar.gov/parents/RightSeat.htm

The authors of an article published in the British Medical Journal looked at the US research with under 2 year olds; I believe 1 or 2 North American studies with 3 year old crash test dummies; the Swedish experience; and anatomy details like the ones Brigala shared. The authors concluded that doctors should be telling their patients' parents to rear-face until 4 based on that evidence combined: http://www.bmj.com/content/338/bmj.b1994

Also, back in 2002, the AAP policy included this statement about rear-facing: "Manufacturers should be encouraged to develop car safety seats that accommodate children rear facing to 4 years of age (45 lb)." http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/109/3/550.full

I don't know if you are already familiar with this info, but I figured I'd share it just in case.

 

[Brianna]

There's good information at carseat.se this is just one page but if you click around on all the rear facing tabs you'll find more http://www.carseat.se/rearfacing/what-is-erf/

 

[hrice]

Have you tried the RF Radian in the center seat? That is the set up I have in my Civic and I am 6'1".

 

[YinzerMama]

FWIW we turned my oldest at 14m or so and we had a long phase of the stiff as a board, practically have to karate chop the kid to get him to sit ... I think she is seeking out the ff seat because it is novel, not necc. because turning her is going to make her happy to be buckled once the novelty wears off.