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Original poster

Forward facing at under 9kg??

7 replies

PumpkinM · 19/05/2011 15:15

I have a bit of a dilemma.. I am about to go on holiday with my DD to France. It is a 2 day drive so thought that it would be better to put my her into a forward facing car seat so that she can see out of the window, and be a bit better entertained en route. She is 10.5 months.

So I have purchased a new forward facing car seat, as I thought she was ready to move up. I did lots of research and have the best seat for the car. BUT... I have just taken her to the HV clinic to be weighed and she is only 8.6kg. There is no way she will be 9kg before we leave.

So, could I use the forward facing car seat for her? Or is it really too dangerous? She is very strong, stands (all the time!), cruises and walk with her baby walker, so developmentally I think she would be fine. She is a sturdy little thing! It's just that she is a bit too light.

Help!

OP posts:

nethunsreject · 19/05/2011 15:17

I wouldn't, no.

Iggly · 19/05/2011 15:26

It's not to do with her development, it's about withstanding a car crash.

She'll be able to see out of a rear facing seat. You could get one of those mirrors which attach to the passenger seat so she has more to look at. Plus plenty of toys etc as she'll get bored whatever way she faces!

worldgonecrazy · 19/05/2011 15:31

We have an extended rear facing seat and it is high so our DD gets a great view out of the rear window, much more than a forward facing seat where the back of the front seat is the main view. I doubt that however sturdy your daughter, she is sturdy enough to avoid severe or even fatal neck damage should you have an accident. Is it an option to move your daughter into the front passenger seat with the airbag off if you are the only adult travelling with her? Or can DH/you sit in the back with her for the journey?

worldgonecrazy · 19/05/2011 15:32

Meant to add we took our DD on a driving holiday earlier this year with regular 8-10 hours in the car each day and she did not get bored once. I think it's only when they're older they get bored on long car journeys.

TheHouseofMirth · 19/05/2011 16:52

Agree rear facing much, much safer. She'll see more out of the side and back window than the front anyway.

Original poster

PumpkinM · 20/05/2011 08:24

Thanks. I really did know that it as a bad idea to move her into the forward facing seat too early... I was just hoping to move her up now to make it more convenient for me. So she will have to stay in her rear-facing seat a bit longer.

OP posts:

TheHouseofMirth · 20/05/2011 08:29

And don't forget 9kg is the minimum weight for the new seat not the maximum for her current seat ikswim.

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