Since my certification as a carseat technician, I have been thinking about what safety information I wanted to share here on my blog. I found this video yesterday and it's the answer! It was created by a 17-year-old girl trying to persuade her older sister to leave her neice rear facing. It's incredible, informative, and I'm so impressed.
As an added bonus, it has one of my favorite songs in it!
Tell me what you think.
Friday, October 27, 2006
the first safety moment
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13 comments:
Hey! I just mailed you something yesterday. I explained it all in the letter, but basically, it was a picture in Parents magazine regarding child car safety and the kid in the infant carrier was HUGE! The chest buckle was also down at her belly, instead of under her armpits. Anyway, I was going to contact them about it, but thought you might be able to do a better job and have more "clout" w/your certification. Just funny you posted this today, that's all. I know you won't be online much the next few days since you'll be anxiously awaiting my card at your mailbox. s'ok...we'll make it through alright.
That was really well done. I think we're going to have to turn Howie around when this baby comes. He'll be 29 months, but we'll be lucky if he's 25 lbs. At nearly 2, his shoulders still aren't on the second slot for the straps. We had no idea when we bought our car 5 years ago that it wouldn't accomodate both an infant carrier and a rf convertible in the backseat with a 6'4" dad in the front seat. Of course, we weren't planning to still have only one car or a rear-facing two year-old, either.
so, has Little Sister reached 33 lbs yet? is she still rf?
Sheri--I HATE when they do that!! I've seen actual carseat ads do that and I'm thinking "um...!?!?" Looking forward to mail...must go wait by my mailbox.
Valarie--Little Sister is not rear-facing anymore. I turned her when she was 20 months and 28 pounds. On our trip to Arkansas, we traveled in the realtor's small BMW and there was not room for a RF convertible in the backseat with me in the front seat. When we got home and I turned her RF again, she was TICKED. I kept her RF for a little longer, but ultimately decided to turn her around. She is 31 pounds right now and is steadily gaining nearly a pound a month (yes, I know..she's a hulk). WTG on keeping Howie RF so long!!! I'm so impressed!!!!
Once again, thank you for sharing this. I REALLY hope it will help my sil/bil to understand the importance of RF.
You are my favorite carseat expert!
Thank you for this information. I had no idea. I have a baby that is 5 months old, and she thanks you too. I have linked this post to my blog.
Again, thank you so much.
Wow what great information. That is great to know. Both of my kids are forward facing they are 30+ for Little Miss and Little Man almost 50!! Holy cow. I apprecaite all the info!
i recently turned my son to forward facing at 17 mos and 20lbs. i prefered him rear facing but his legs just didn't fit he was sitting like a frog and i was starting to wonder what would happen to his hips/legs/spine if he got pushed the wrong way in an accident. do you have any info on this? i will also add a link to my blogs-it can only help if more people see it.
Alicia, I totally understand. We were having a hard time getting his carseat in our rental last month and my husband said, "just turn it around." There was no way I was going to, because I knew that would be then end of it.
Ali, I'm no expert like Alicia, but here's my understanding. Toddlers almost never sit straight legged anyway. They're pretty flexible and are often found with their legs pulled up near them anyway (at least, I've noticed in my boy). Yeah, their legs might seem a little cramped, but I don't think it's uncomfortable.
As for leg/spinal injury in a collision, there's a lot more play in the legs, pelvis and spine than the neck. Plus, in absolute worse case scenarios, even a serious lower spine injury can't compare to a neck spinal cord injury or possibly death. broken leg vs broken neck? I'm a lot more comfortable risking one than the other. Not to mention in cases where he'd be pushed into the back of the seat rather than his carseat, physics is on your side and they are rarely as serious as a frontal or side collisions (both of which are more common anyway).
Valarie---You inspired me. I turned Little Sister back rear-facing yesterday. She's totally fine with it! She keeps telling me she's "humfy." That's "Comfy" in Sister language.
Ali--Valarie is right. Read what she wrote again and you've got my answer :).
So, wow. Do you think there'd be a mutiny if I turned Anna (3 - 28 pounds) and Abbie (almost 5- 29 pounds) back rear facing??
Miles at 13 mos and 17 pounds... MOST DEFINITELY rear facing... I'm not stupid.
One benefit of turning them all the same direction... they'd be able to all watch the DVD player on our trip...
Tell the girls that poor Miles doesn't get to watch the DVD...so they all have to turn around. You know, for the good of their little bro!
WOW. Thanks for sharing. C
Love the video. I'm going to use it in some of my own CPS work on the East Coast. Thanks for sharing!
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