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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be considering a front facing car seat

155 replies

Wilf83 · 04/10/2014 15:28

I'm a ftm & only just heard that a rear facing car seat are the safest. All my friends with 3 year old+ have always had front facing seats after their baby car seats so to me front facing from 12 months is normal but now I'm thinking that it would be really reckless of me.

OP posts:

123Jump · 04/10/2014 15:31

Well, if it is your first baby I would recommend you go with the rear facing, as that is the new safest way.
But I wouldn't sweat it if you already have the forward facing one.

HamishBamish · 04/10/2014 15:47

Do you research and look at your options. Yes, rear facing is safer and if you can afford it I would definitely seriously consider it. It's worth reading up on it and looking at all the available seats and how they would work in your car(s). The choices are much better than they used to be since rf has become more widely discussed.

Original poster

Wilf83 · 04/10/2014 15:50

I haven't got the next seat yet. Does anyone know of some good impartial websites/articles that discuss the facts?

OP posts:

LarrytheCucumber · 04/10/2014 15:50

Probably a stupid question but don't the DCs get bored looking at the seat instead of out of the window or are they high enough to do both? I haven't seen one in RL by the way.

SpottyTeacakes · 04/10/2014 15:52

Ds rear faces. He's almost two and loves looking out of the back window he can see all the tractors and lorries.

Afaik it'll very soon be law that they're rear facing until 15 months and in some European countries it's until they're 4 or 5.

HazleNutt · 04/10/2014 15:55

they can see more from rear facing seat - view from back and side windows. From most front facing seats, the DCs can only see the headrest of the front seat.

If you have not bought one yet, I would certainly go for an extended rear facing one.

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 04/10/2014 15:55

Forward facing is legal from a certain age and weight, however rear facing simply is safer.

It isnt reckless as such to forward face a one year old, but after researching extended rear facing I couldnt understand how anyone could learn tge benefits of erf and still choose to forward face.

The only real exception I would imagine is if the little one was hysterical when rear facing - in a way which would make it simply unsafe for the driver due to not being able to concentrate.

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 04/10/2014 15:55

Larry my dd can see much more - she can see out of both side windows and the rear window. Rather than the seat infront.

sanfairyanne · 04/10/2014 16:21

how long can your current seat stay rear facing for?

Penfold007 · 04/10/2014 18:23

I'm can understand that rear facing for babies is safer. What I'm now struggling with is the comment that rear facing until 4 or 5 years may become the legal requirement. I'm curious where do the children put their legs? Up the back of the seat?

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 04/10/2014 18:25

Various - cross legged, up the back of the seat, hung over the sides. Sometimes the rear facing seats have a gap between the back of the seat so they can put them flat on the chair. If you google images it you will see.

SpottyTeacakes · 04/10/2014 18:28

Ds is nearly two and his feet only just touch the back of the seat when they're straight.

Middleagedmotheroftwo · 04/10/2014 18:30

I can't help thinking that if rear facing is safer for babies and toddlers, it would probably be safer for everyone else too (apart from the driver, obvs).

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 04/10/2014 18:31

Yes it is middle.

SpottyTeacakes · 04/10/2014 18:32

here is a good explanation

Mouthfulofquiz · 04/10/2014 18:35

I will probably get rear facing when I need to get the next lot of seats - but considering that I feel like puking up the second I sit on a rear facing seat on a train, well I'm not sure it can be that different in the car for the kids?? Anyone got any experience of how kids that are prone to travel sickness cope?

hollie84 · 04/10/2014 18:36

DS1 stayed in his baby seat until 18 months, then we got a forward facing one as we didn't have a car and it needed to be easy to swap between cars, taxis etc.

Now we have a car, when DS2 outgrows the baby seat I'll be getting one that can rear face until 18kg I think. There are a few seats available now which are within a reasonable budget (£100ish) so no reason not to really.

hollie84 · 04/10/2014 18:37

Mouthful - I found the opposite with DS1. He was never car sick rear facing but then started throwing up every journey once in a forward facing seat.

4yoniD · 04/10/2014 18:38

Britax have 2 new car seats just out, one rf's to 25kg (other ff's to 25kg with 5 pt harness). Would def buy the RF one if I have DC3 but hard to justify for my 3 year old :(

PiperIsOrange · 04/10/2014 18:41

That child don't look comfy at all.

To be considering a front facing car seat

hollie84 · 04/10/2014 18:43

Looks fine to me

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 04/10/2014 18:43

well she is choosing to sit with her legs that way.

larrygrylls · 04/10/2014 18:54

Well, rear facing is safer BUT, is safety everything? It is a real joy when children first face forward that they can see where they are going, talk to you properly and enjoy the drive, instead of looking at a car seat.

I am sure it is safer for adults to sit facing backwards but a car manufacturer has yet to make a car where all the seats, other than the drivers face backwards.

There is an obsession with safety which seems to trump everything else in some people's eyes. Realistically, though, the utility and pleasure gained in facing forward (in my opinion at least) greatly outweigh the (marginal) extra risk.

HazleNutt · 04/10/2014 18:57

why can't you talk properly when in rear facing seat?

gamerchick · 04/10/2014 18:57

People who think that forward facing is fine ASAP need to watch the crash tests using both.

I sit rear facing whenever I get the chance and I'm way older

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