Forward facing

[Aimzxo]

I know the recommended age to forward face till is 15 months, I've just fluffed up a little bit and bought a car seat that's from 9 months to 12 years a cybex one and didnt realise its forward facing, have called baby planet and they have advised babys can forward face from 9 months so long as they weigh at least 9kg, im very much in two minds about it as I'd like to keep her rear facing for as long as possible but shes only just fitting in the car seat as it is

At what age did you forward face? Xx

The law is 9kg on the old, weight based seats. 15months on new designs.
DD went FF at about 14months (8 years ago). DD2 at 2.5years... her seat could rear face until 18kg, but she reacted badly to her sister starting school.

With the knowledge now, I would rear face until 2minimum, especially with the rear facing toddler seats being a lot easier available. Even 6years ago, DD2s seat was an emergency purchase from Halfords after the baby seat broke.

I wouldn't forward face before 2 full stop but would aim for nearer to 3

Ahh okay I must have an old design, I've read more articles and information about why rear facing is safer so im just going to buy another car seat that will rear face for as long as possible, annoying as its another expense as I cant return this one now as I stupidly left it in the box for ages before realising! But never mind you cant put a price on safety can you, thankyou xx

Have you bought it online? You have the legal right to return goods bought online within 14 days of receipt.

I wouldn't put a 9 month old forward facing. It's such a huge risk to them if you were to crash.

If you can't return, Argos have the Joie Tilt for sale at the moment for just £40. It's rear facing up to 18kg. You could keep the seat you have for later when she is older and use the Tilt for now.

I'd ask them about returning it anyway. You never know. How old is your little one? Their infant carriers last longer than you think. They usually go to 11 or 12kg. Then from there There are seats that will rear face until 25kg. That's what I have for DS. There's a few options but I went with the Britax Maxyway. It's plus tested but not as expensive as some of the others. I got mine on offer at £180.

Sorry xposted.

If you want to rear face for as long as possible and your DD is quite tall, Joie Tilt won't be a good choice as it's small in the shell so outgrown quite early. I would get something like Britax Max Way instead.

Your Cybex seat will be the kind with an impact shield, which tend to do OK in crash testing with dummies but less so in real life crashes, however without the impact shield the seat is exactly the same as their Solution high backed boosters, which are some of the best on the market. So you can still use your Cybex seat but when she's older and has grown out of the rear facing seat :)

Rear facing for as long as possible really is the safest option. It's a nightmare buying car seats isn't it. They changed the law not too long ago so sounds like the seat you bought is from the older law, they really should allow you to return it surely? X

My son is 4 next month and just about fits in the Joie Tilt rearfacing, think it was only £40. So if money or returning is a problem I'd go for this one until at least age 3 then use the Cybex.

Minimum of two years

I would complain after the advice you've been given by baby planet or whatever, as a reputable company should not be advising a 9month old forward face. That is shocking....

No, both regulations are still valid. It is legal to forward face from 9kg (regardless of age!) in a seat approved to ECE R44.

I would never ever recommend this but it remains the case. There aren't enough R129 approved seats yet available to retire the old law. It will happen eventually. In the meantime it remains advice to rear face until 15 months absolute minimum, but as long as practical :)

I agree with a PP saying at least 2, preferably 3 is my own limit. Some people want to go for as long as possible, some want to aim for age 4 or age 6.

Can u swop it for the Cybex Sirona? That forward faces and rear faces...

I bought it over a month ago now but I will ask! If you don't ask you dont get, its such a minefield isnt it with all different advice but ultimately I do want to rear face for as long as possible, this one goes up to 12 years so ill save this for when shes alot older and ill look into getting the joie tilt, thanks ladies youve been very helpful xx

We did rear facing till nearly 5. Not an issue at all.