Page 6 | To forward face 15 month old

Ohtoeisme · 2024-09-20T14:58:49+00:00

I know from the point of view of an accident we aren’t as safe; the problem is she has become car sick when rear facing and apart for it being unpleasant for her it’s also a choking hazard. I don’t think I’m being unreasonable but I am worried about judgement, stupid really. I guess I’m wondering if you would judge!

ThirstyThursday · 20/09/2024 16:29

KeyWorker · 20/09/2024 16:07

I was under the impression that direction of travel made no difference to motion sickness. It is significantly safer to rear face as long as possible. Choking is only an issue if unconscious, babies are very good at protecting their airway, hence why they have a forward and sensitive gag reflex.

Edited

@KeyWorker

What on Earth have you that impression??

I cannot travel backwards 🤮

rebecca100 · 20/09/2024 16:27

Ohtoeisme · 20/09/2024 16:15

I get that Rebecca. I know what the official advice is but it’s awful dealing with a child being sick all the time, it really is. I don’t know if there is any way to make forward facing as safe as possible but I really can’t have her being sick all the time. I definitely can’t shrug and say ah well necessary evil.

I do appreciate how much of a stressful situation it must be, but being travel sick is not worth catastrophic injuries, do you have a mirror you can use to negate the risk of choking?
It's been determined that travel sickness isn't necessarily exacerbated by the direction of travel and there are other steps that can be taken before making such a drastic decision.
No child of any age should forward face in a harnesses seat due to the strain on their tiny bodies in a collision.
Could you get replacement covers for your seat so you always have a clean set while you wash the others?

Didimum · 20/09/2024 16:27

mumbleberry · 20/09/2024 16:19

It's legal to do lots of incredibly dangerous things

OP please do your research properly and do not consider forward facing a child this young.

Show quote history

Yeah ... I'm not really here for anyone who tries to make women feel bad for doing what's right for them under legal guidance. So you can leave me out of your comments, thanks.

mynameiscalypso · 20/09/2024 16:27

We did the same. DS gets very carsick. One of the ways to help is to get them to look at the horizon, you can't do that unless they're forward facing. Everything is a balance of risks and, for us, it was a risk worth taking. That said, we don't drive very often at all.

Butterfly43 · 20/09/2024 16:26

Having been in a horrific crash last year and seeing how badly damaged our back seats were (other driver was drunk, passed out and hit us at over 80), I would do whatever is recommended safety wise. We were fortunate we didn't have anyone on the backseats or they'd have been seriously injured. Police had thought it might be a double fatality when they arrived on scene and were shocked we'd both made it out of the car without serious injury, but the damage was all to the back.

Don't want that to sound judgey in any way OP and obviously my views are shaped by that experience, it's just that a lot of people think it'll never happen to them but there really are so many dangerous and reckless drivers on the roads now.

If you can try to manage the travel sickness through other means then I'd give that a go first, although appreciate it's not always that simple. Maybe ask the health visitor or GP for some advice?

Original poster

Ohtoeisme · 20/09/2024 16:25

Thanks very much for that link @Circusmango , will have a look.

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landris · 20/09/2024 16:25

KeyWorker · 20/09/2024 16:07

I was under the impression that direction of travel made no difference to motion sickness. It is significantly safer to rear face as long as possible. Choking is only an issue if unconscious, babies are very good at protecting their airway, hence why they have a forward and sensitive gag reflex.

Edited

Direction of travel does make a difference, which is why I cannot sit in a rear-facing seat on a train.

Original poster

Ohtoeisme · 20/09/2024 16:24

No - it’s possible. It’s an Isofix - would have to look into how to do that.

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Circusmango · 20/09/2024 16:24

https://axkid.com/uk/guides-tips/6-things-you-can-do-to-avoid-carsickness-for-children-in-rear-facing-car-seats/

I would try to keep her rear facing as long as possible. 15 months is the minimum. Under the age of 2 children are 5 times safer rear facing. Ultimately it is your decision and you need to weigh the risks of your own circumstances. I've linked an article with tips but realise at her age they might not all be helpful. (As far as judgment goes, we're all judged, all day long for everything we do! Seems to go with motherhood. Don't give that headspace)

6 things you can do to avoid carsickness for children in rear-facing car seats! – Axkid UK

Many people assume that carsickness is caused by rear-facing when it’s not true. Carsickness can occur regardless if they’re sitting in a forward-facing car seat or a rear-facing car seat. Children between 2-10 years are most likely to suffer from cars...

https://axkid.com/uk/guides-tips/6-things-you-can-do-to-avoid-carsickness-for-children-in-rear-facing-car-seats

blackcurrantqueen · 20/09/2024 16:24

Have you tried rear facing in the front with airbag off?

AnywhereAnyoneAnyTime · 20/09/2024 16:24

KeyWorker · 20/09/2024 16:07

I was under the impression that direction of travel made no difference to motion sickness. It is significantly safer to rear face as long as possible. Choking is only an issue if unconscious, babies are very good at protecting their airway, hence why they have a forward and sensitive gag reflex.

Edited

My ds used to be violently sick when rear facing. Many adults can’t travel backwards for the same reason.

Original poster

Ohtoeisme · 20/09/2024 16:21

I’ve done research if research is that rear facing is safer than forward which it is. No ones disputing that. But I personally won’t be saying in effect oh well, I guess she’ll puke then!

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KeyWorker · 20/09/2024 16:21

Ohtoeisme · 20/09/2024 16:14

I was a member there but I found it very aggressive and I definitely wouldn’t dare mention that I’m thinking about forward facing.

Yeah I know it can do, I completely understand that. Please re-consider forward facing your baby at this stage. The government has an awful lot to answer for as the law is woefully inadequate. Legal doesn’t mean safe.

Original poster

Ohtoeisme · 20/09/2024 16:20

I had terrible motion sickness as a child and while it’s better now it is still bad if I’m in the back seat or have to face backwards (eg on a train) - I don’t know why there is a myth that facing forwards makes no difference: it’s one of the first pieces of advice given for travel sickness. Mine got better when I grew up and could sit in the front! It is miserable though, I feel really sorry for her .

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mumbleberry · 20/09/2024 16:19

Didimum · 20/09/2024 16:00

The law is over 15 months or over 9kg. Don’t allow anyone’s judgement affect you.

It's legal to do lots of incredibly dangerous things

OP please do your research properly and do not consider forward facing a child this young.

SouthLondonMum22 · 20/09/2024 16:19

Have you tried other things such as encouraging her to look outside, having no books/screens etc?

I’d do it as a last resort.

newrubylane · 20/09/2024 16:18

My DD was terrible for car sickness, to the point where it stopped us taking her places. She's 5 now and it's gradually improving. We still try to do long journeys at night and hope she sleeps for most of it. We did turn her forward facing as soon as we could - the choking risk seems significant given the lack of free movement, and she was often distressed. It did help. She was sick less, but it also made it easier for us to reassure her. We found putting her on the passenger side of the car helped. And keep a window open. I promise gets easier once they can communicate better how they're feeling.

Happygrinchmas1 · 20/09/2024 16:18

You just need to risk assess for yourself and go on the manufacturer guidance if they are above the weight/height/age for forward facing with the seat you have. Ignore opinions from people who are not yourself

Didimum · 20/09/2024 16:16

Ohtoeisme · 20/09/2024 16:02

Thanks, is it age or weight related or whichever comes first?

depends if you have a height based or weight based seat.

Original poster

Ohtoeisme · 20/09/2024 16:15

I get that Rebecca. I know what the official advice is but it’s awful dealing with a child being sick all the time, it really is. I don’t know if there is any way to make forward facing as safe as possible but I really can’t have her being sick all the time. I definitely can’t shrug and say ah well necessary evil.

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Original poster

Ohtoeisme · 20/09/2024 16:14

I was a member there but I found it very aggressive and I definitely wouldn’t dare mention that I’m thinking about forward facing.

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rebecca100 · 20/09/2024 16:14

15 months is legal, but very very unsafe. I fully urge you to reconsider this and do some research on how much safe rear facing is. It is 5 times safer for your little one to rear face.

KeyWorker · 20/09/2024 16:13

If you are on Facebook there is a good group called Car Seat Safety UK. They have really good advice about rear facing and why it is safer.

Original poster

Ohtoeisme · 20/09/2024 16:08

KeyWorker · 20/09/2024 16:07

I was under the impression that direction of travel made no difference to motion sickness. It is significantly safer to rear face as long as possible. Choking is only an issue if unconscious, babies are very good at protecting their airway, hence why they have a forward and sensitive gag reflex.

Edited

It really does!

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Original poster

Ohtoeisme · 20/09/2024 16:07

Thanks. She isn’t quite fifteen months and if I’m totally honest I don’t know how much she weighs! I don’t want to break the law but equally I can’t have her vomiting every time she’s in the car.

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