Car seats...

[Trinaj]

I couldn't really find an appropriate section to put this in so hope you can help here?...
My 'large' nearly 7 month ds2 has practically outgrown his rear facing car seat.
He now weighs over 9kg (21lb) and his head touches the top of his seat, his feet are pushing on the back of the car's seat, and the straps only just do up 'round him.
What can I do? Is he too young to go into a forward facing one? I have one that he's the correct weight for (from 9kg) but supposedly from 9 months. But there's no way I'll be able to still squeeze him into the other one til then.
Any suggegstions?
Thanks.

[Notyummy]

We put our large dd in a front facing one from 6 months. She met the weight criteria and her head was nearly over the top of the seat so we moved her. She was fine, and was quite taken with being able to see us properly! Dh and I got quite emotional about our little baby looking so grown up....

[PhoenixCymru]

Have you thought about a combination seat like the Britax First Class if it will fit both ways in your car?

[yousaidit]

I put dd in britax first class si used it as forwardfacing from about 6m and she was fine, if the weight's ok then go for it. dh liked it as the seat seems much 'chunkier' abd robust.

[babyjjbaby]

you definitly need to move him to a forward facing seat once his head is at the top of the rear facing seta and alos he has reached the weight limit for a forward facing one so it wil be fine to change it

[itsahardknocklife]

babyjj is right - I was tolf by a car seat advisor at my local council that the correct time to change is not when their feet reach the edge, but when their head touches the top.

[Wallace]

You do need to keep your ds rear-facing until he is at least nine months.

A combination seat is the answer, like Phoenix suggests.

[Trinaj]

The forward facing one is a Britax combination seat, but the seat belt is not long enough to go 'round it rear facing .

[babyjjbaby]

it doesn't matter if u can't have i trear facing co s he has met all the thingds he needs to to go forward facing he really doesn't need to be rear facing as long as he has met the weight for a forward facing one he can go forward facing

[Wallace]

He hasn't met all the needs to be forward facing. He isn't 9 months old.

Have you tried all the seat belts in the car?

[rachaelsara]

I think the strength of neck control reached by nine months is critical because of the way your body is thrown about in the event of a crash. Can you slide the seat right back to give more belt length?

[littone]

If you go to the main dealer for your car they can probably fit a longer car seat. If the belts seem to short are you sure it is the right seat for your car. I have been looking at the Britax website as you can see which of their seats fits in your particular car.

[bluenosesaint]

Agree rachaelsara - neck control is crucial before moving a baby to face forward in a car seat.

The safest way for baby to travel is facing rearwards and a baby should remain in the rearward-seat until s/he is over 9kg and can confidently and comfortably sit up for a reasonable length of time (30 minutes or more is a good guide).

Some very bad advice is being given here -

"as long as he has met the weight for a forward facing one he can go forward facing"

Yes, child restraints are tested and approved for the child's weight not age but there is certainly more to it than just meeting the weight.

A baby should not be rushed into a forward-facing seat, rearward-facing is safer and gives better protection to their head, neck and spine in a crash.

Sorry

[bluenosesaint]

Last part of post should have read:

Sorry thats not much help in finding you a seat trinaj - the Britax first class is the only one that i could think of too ...

[rachaelsara]

One of my nephews was a very big boy, and way over 9kg before 9 months, but still couldn't sit unsupported. DD1 could sit for 1/2 an hour at 5 months, but was tiny, so weight is a only very rough guide.

[FAQ]

DS3 is 9 months and weighed over 9kg MONTHS ago - but it only just sitting up (sort of) now - he's still squashed (knees under his chin) into his infant car seat and will remain there until his head reaches the VERY top of the carseat......if that happens so (as it looks like it might) then we'll be paying out for a car-seat that can go rear-facing and forward facing (which will be a bummer as we still have DS2's forward facing in excellent condition)

[rachaelsara]

Both my sisters had bad car crashes with dcs in the car, but dc's were in absolutely correct car seats and uninjured, unlike my poor sisters. They both suffered fairly severe injuries, but the kids were unmarked. You can't take a chance on this.

[babyjjbaby]

well i was only saying what i have been told b4 from britax and also what i have read that age doesn't pay a cruical part i won't bother next time

[bluenosesaint]

babyjjbaby - you are absolutely correct in that age doesn't play a crucial part, unfortunately you have been misinformed that weight is the only criteria to take into account at this age ...

[babyjjbaby]

no it isn't just the weight it is the fact that the op bbays head is at the top of the seat

[FAQ]

• so she needs a rear facing seat - just not an infant one

[bluenosesaint]

Yes, and i agree that this indicates that the baby no longer fits safely in the infant seat, but what i'm saying is that it doesn't automatically mean that the baby should then be put in a forward facing car seat ...

In many cases, the baby would not be strong enough (have no idea if this is the case with OP's baby) to go safely into a forward facing carseat. There are other criteria to take into account, it is not a blanket "as long as he has met the weight for a forward facing one he can go forward facing" - a baby must also be able to sit confidently and comfortably for a reasonable length of time and have good strong neck muscles.

[Trinaj]

I thank everyone for your advice and opinions. But am a little concerned at how much dispute this has thrown in.
I already have the britax seat from previous car, so was bought to fit in that. I cannot use it in a front seat - re- moving seat back as far as poss - as I have front airbags.
I understand that weight and length are crucial. And age - or development - also play a huge part - as I'm sure many parents of 'petite' babies or those with special needs will say how they had to use them well past the recommended age.
I cannot currently afford to replace the car seat or get new belts fitted, therefore my ds2 will stay squished in his old one until I can no longer fit him in.
I hope you will all be settled in this dispute now?

[Hulababy]

Age isn't an important factor with car seats - they are jut guidelines based on average weights. Weight is very important and you shouldn't movea child into the next car seat until the minimum weight for the next seat is reacher.

Also with regards to forward facng seats physical development is very important too. The child should be able to sit upright, unaided for periods of time.This is all to do with the development of neck muscles, plus other muscles itn the upper body. The impact of an accident when in a forward facing seat is more dangerous for a child, so their physical development must be mature enough to deal with it.

[Sidge]

It doesn't matter if the head is at the top of the car seat, but if the ears are level with the top of the seat then it's time to change. Leg length is less important as they can be folded up against the seat.

Also weight is an important factor but not the only one. Age matters, and being able to sit unsupported for a good length of time is crucial to be safe when forward facing (as bluenosesaint has said).

[LIZS]

Does this help ?