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Original poster

Is it reasonable to forward face at 4?

145 replies

RedCarAndBlueCar · 18/09/2023 20:49

I have 4 year old DTs. They are just about growing out of their current isofix rear facing car seats as they're pretty average height and weight (they're about 103cm at the moment and just under 16kg).

The trouble is having two I need to buy two car seats at once. It seems that if I get two more rear facing ones, I'm looking at £1k. Whereas forward facing, even the highest rated seem to be less than £400.

Obviously you can't put a price on your child surviving a car crash etc, but it is a huge amount of money.

Is rear facing at this age really that much safer? If I do shell out for the rear facing ones will they decide they hate rear facing in a year or so?

Most things I've read seem to say rear face for as long as possible but this also seems to mostly mean until 4. Is rear facing beyond this worth it?

What have others decided to do?

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TolkiensFallow · 18/09/2023 20:52

I went forward facing around 2 but with good head support and side protection.

Each to their own but I don’t know anyone who was still rear facing at 4.

ReadRum · 18/09/2023 20:54

We have two axkids that were 250ish each. Tall six year old is still happily rear-facing. Whether it’s necessary or not — only you can decide.

PurBal · 18/09/2023 20:54

I went forward facing when DS grew out of his rear facing seat. I can’t afford to keep changing car seats either.

OneMoreCookieMonster · 18/09/2023 20:54

TolkiensFallow · 18/09/2023 20:52

I went forward facing around 2 but with good head support and side protection.

Each to their own but I don’t know anyone who was still rear facing at 4.

Same I think mine was slightly younger than 2. DC was super long and now very tall.

FrenchandSaunders · 18/09/2023 20:55

Where do their legs go at 4 when rear facing?

Pizzapie22 · 18/09/2023 20:56

We went forward facing without giving it that much thought tbh.

Cowlover89 · 18/09/2023 20:59

My sons 17 months and now forward facing

Owjrbvr · 18/09/2023 21:00

I moved to forward facing when DS was 3 as he could undo his seat belt and I couldn’t cope with worrying he’d do it when rear facing (he’d also kick the mirror so I couldn’t see him). Also after a couple of awful tantrums because he was rear facing and didn’t want to be where I had to stop I decided it was more unsafe to drive with him rear facing in that situation
I don’t know anyone in real life who had a rear facing seat beyond 4

Bammm · 18/09/2023 21:02

I've always read that age 4 is sensible and safe to switch them to forward facing.

Some of the replies on here about when to FF aren't too helpful as its obvious you're in a different camp RE car seat safety if they've been RF to 4.

mycoffeecup · 18/09/2023 21:03

Yes mine both went FF at about four and a half, I think 4 is reasonable

mycoffeecup · 18/09/2023 21:03

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mycoffeecup · 18/09/2023 21:04

TolkiensFallow · 18/09/2023 20:52

I went forward facing around 2 but with good head support and side protection.

Each to their own but I don’t know anyone who was still rear facing at 4.

Those who know a bit about forces in an accident and want the safest option rear face until about 4. lots of us around.

Saschka · 18/09/2023 21:05

FrenchandSaunders · 18/09/2023 20:55

Where do their legs go at 4 when rear facing?

They cross their legs, or put them up on the back of the seat facing them (like putting your feet up on the dashboard).

Honestly, that particular aspect is a non-issue.

gogomoto · 18/09/2023 21:10

They hadn't invented extended rear facing so mine turned at 2 (later than most because they were short and light). Unfortunately dd was in a motorway 60mph crash but she was fine in her forward facing seat due to the fact it was properly installed. This is the most important thing when choosing a new seat, does it fit your car???

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 18/09/2023 21:11

I would be considering forward at four, yes, I know it’s still safer to rear face but the percentages get smaller and smaller and other practical elements come into play, mine were all around that age when they moved up, apart from my first who we moved at nearly three but they are nearly adult now and the availability/fit/cost of the seats was a big issue. We were massive outliers in our circle then.

Mrburnshound · 18/09/2023 21:14

It's fine, and i say that as someone with a petite 5yo who has got loads of growing room in his minikid. FWIW he finds it more comfy than when he's in a hbb in other cars as he's all cocooned and snuggly. I also find it easier when getting him jn as i can open the door only a crack - useful when parked in tight spots. If they are 16kg you've also probably got at least 6 months til they are 18kg (assume that's the seat's weight limit?)

I would probably go to a HBB when they are 18kgs as long as they can sit properly as there's some debate whether ff harnessed is better or worse than FF HBB.

AuntMarch · 18/09/2023 21:16

I have an extended rear facing seat and it definitely didn't cost 500! I can't remember the name of it now unfortunately.
My son is 4 and always falls asleep on journeys longer than 20 minutes, I don't feel that he is in a good position sleeping in the forward facing seat.

I am sure I've read about harness straps not being as safe forward facing so I'd look into that before you make your choice

ShineBright1209 · 18/09/2023 21:17

Mine were all forward facing by time they were 1. I can honestly say I didn’t even know you could put them rear facing at the age of 4.

welshweasel · 18/09/2023 21:17

I'd totally max out the height/weight limits of their current seats then switch to a HBB with a crotch strap (assuming they meet all the other criteria for a HBB).

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 18/09/2023 21:26

My DD moved into a hbb (from a rear facing seat) at 4.5. She was relatively small (still in the hbb now at 10.5 as she's below the legal height to sit without a car seat) so we could have got some more milage out of the erf seat, but as a PP said more practical considerations so came into play.

Original poster
RedCarAndBlueCar · 18/09/2023 21:35

Mrburnshound · 18/09/2023 21:14

It's fine, and i say that as someone with a petite 5yo who has got loads of growing room in his minikid. FWIW he finds it more comfy than when he's in a hbb in other cars as he's all cocooned and snuggly. I also find it easier when getting him jn as i can open the door only a crack - useful when parked in tight spots. If they are 16kg you've also probably got at least 6 months til they are 18kg (assume that's the seat's weight limit?)

I would probably go to a HBB when they are 18kgs as long as they can sit properly as there's some debate whether ff harnessed is better or worse than FF HBB.

Their current ones are I size so I believe it's their height that matters, and they are very close to the top now (max height is 105cm) so I think it could be a matter of days/weeks rather than 6 months.

OP posts:
Original poster
RedCarAndBlueCar · 18/09/2023 21:37

kikisparks · 18/09/2023 21:19

You can get a britax maxway plus for £200 https://allaboutcarseats.co.uk/store/extended-rearward-facing-belted/max-way-plus/

The longer you rearface the safer it is but age 4 is much better than FF at 2 or 3, as the spinal vertebrae should have at least started to fuse.

Thanks, it seems this has been discontinued and I can't find anywhere with any stock?

OP posts:
modgepodge · 18/09/2023 21:38

ShineBright1209 · 18/09/2023 21:17

Mine were all forward facing by time they were 1. I can honestly say I didn’t even know you could put them rear facing at the age of 4.

Fairly sure that’s now illegal.

BendingSpoons · 18/09/2023 21:40

We went to a HBB around DS's 4th birthday when he outgrew his rear facing seat. We RF longer than most people we know.