Car seat help

[goleafsgo5]

Ok I need some opinons,

I have a 6 month old hes pretty big and hs a wide frame.... 26 3/4 - 27 inchs long. and about 21-22 pounds.

He out grew his infant car seat really fast. He just looks like a little sardine in there.

So my Wife came home with this



Which is front facing... now the little guy loves it and he meets the minimum 20 pound and hit requirment but what worries me is his little neck..........facing forward really worries me but my wife said he meets the requirements.....

HELP please... money is not an issue when it comes to my boy...... so if its off to buy a new one tonight than thats what I will do!

So what are you thoughts?

[nosnoop]

Studies after studies have shown that rear facing car seats are much safer than front facing ones. And yes, I think your son is too early to switch to front facing.

For example, Sunshine Kids' Radian Premier can be used for rear facing up to 45lb.

The general rule is that you son needs to be at least 1 yr old. But personally, I would keep him rear facing until he exceeded the maximum weight of the highest weight rating car seat available (e.g. SunShine Kids or some Britax models).

[Rehan]

Take that car seat back.

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/saf...t/choose.shtml

The law is a minimum requirement. It’s best to keep your child rear-facing until they are at least one year old or until they have reached either the maximum height or weight limits of the rear-facing seat.

http://www.peelregion.ca/health/cars...recalls.htm#q2

In Ontario, children are required to be harnessed in a rear-facing position in a car seat until they weigh 20 lbs. (9 kg). We recommend that children be kept rear-facing as long as possible. Some seats go rear-facing up to 30-35 lbs. (13.5-16 kgs.).

http://babyproducts.about.com/od/car...ear_facing.htm

Babies should be in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible, to the limits of their rear-facing car seat. Extended rear-facing, beyond one year and 20 pounds, has big safety advantages that parents should strongly consider. In fact, the most recent study on this subject shows that toddlers are up to five times safer if they remain rear-facing until age two. Turning baby's car seat around isn't a milestone to rush on. It's actually a step down in safety, so don't be in a hurry to make the big switch.

Read http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html for more of the same as well as some seat suggestions.

If you can afford it, take a look at the Britax seats.

[goleafsgo5]

Take that car seat back.

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/saf...t/choose.shtml


http://www.peelregion.ca/health/cars...recalls.htm#q2


http://babyproducts.about.com/od/car...ear_facing.htm


Read http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html for more of the same as well as some seat suggestions.

If you can afford it, take a look at the Britax seats.

Perfect thanks for that I will have the wife look at it..... its tough cause he is wearing 18 - 24 month clothing... this little gy is big... but I was worried about his neck muscles!

[Tiberius]

A Britax would be a high quality and expensive way to go.

An Alpha Omega 3 in 1 or a First Years True Fit are other options... I got a First Years True Fit on sale at Zellers for $150 (seems to be a common sale at Zellers). They are convertible, so you can install them rear facing until your baby is At Least 1 year old, and then flip them around and not have to buy another seat. If you install these in the middle of the back seat, they will fit in many cars without squishing the front seats up.

http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index....ductId=2857165

There are other options and numerous threads here you can read up about people's thoughts on them.

[susan123]

My son was big too - but the law states must be rear facing until at least the first birthday - and best if they stay rear facing even longer!

The seat that has already been purchased is great as it has good weight and height ranges for once he is able to go forward facing.

For the sake of 6months +, perhaps try to find a used seat that goes rear facing until he is old enough to be forward facing.

[Rehan]

An Alpha Omega 3 in 1 or a First Years True Fit are other options...

The True Fit is far better than the Alpha Omega. If you can get the True Fit on sale, it's an excellent value. (Even if not on sale, it's a good choice.)

[goleafsgo5]

My son was big too - but the law states must be rear facing until at least the first birthday - and best if they stay rear facing even longer!

The seat that has already been purchased is great as it has good weight and height ranges for once he is able to go forward facing.

For the sake of 6months +, perhaps try to find a used seat that goes rear facing until he is old enough to be forward facing.

I did not see it was law to keep them rear facing until one.......... could you please post that....... I saw that the law was rear facing until 20 pounds

[susan123]

Oh my - it appears you are correct. My youngest is only 3.5 and at that time it was a minimum of one year, along with the height and weight... I hadn't heard they changed the rules.

In any case, you were also correct that their bone/muscles, etc. are still not formed as well as when older and rear facing is the absolute safest! In fact it is recommended that you stay rear facing for as long as possible until you outgrow the rear facing weight. (Not that most do that! I think I made it to 1.5 years).

You said price was no option, so why would you settle for the bare minimum knowing it is not the safest?

[fiiibra]

We kept both kids rear facing till age 2 in their Britax seats. Both were big for their age, but rear facing is safer.

[nosnoop]

I did not see it was law to keep them rear facing until one.......... could you please post that....... I saw that the law was rear facing until 20 pounds

"The law is a minimum requirement. It’s best to keep your child rear-facing until they are at least one year old or until they have reached either the maximum height or weight limits of the rear-facing seat. "

From Ministry of Transportation.

[lizard]

Please, watch this video and show it to your wife:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2DVfqFhseo

And this link for more info
http://www.childrestraintsafety.com/rear-facing.html

Look into a good Britax or Sunshine Kids seat and keep your little ones Rear Facing as long as possible.

My baby boy was also big at 6 months, we had him out of the Infant Carrier Seat and into a Britax Marathon by 7 months. He was wearing 12-18 clothing at that point.

[phonzy]

I initially bought the same Graco car seat and after reading a few websites decided to return it

I opted for the Radian XT which is rear facing till 35lbs and forward facing till 65lbs

Its on sale at juniorbabies.com for $229

OR the TRu Fit

[tarnator]

Plan to keep my LO rearfacing as long as possible.
Like until 4 or 5 years old! LOL.

They are bringing more and more seats to Canada that will allow this. Sweden has been doing it for years with fewer deaths and injuries.

Just for reference, my LO is tiny (16lbs at 11 months). So I bought the Britax Roundabout50 that can RF up to 35 lbs. I figure by the time I have the next baby I can buy one of the higher RF seats for my DD and transfer new babe to the RA50.

[goleafsgo5]

Please, watch this video and show it to your wife:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2DVfqFhseo

And this link for more info
http://www.childrestraintsafety.com/rear-facing.html

Look into a good Britax or Sunshine Kids seat and keep your little ones Rear Facing as long as possible.

My baby boy was also big at 6 months, we had him out of the Infant Carrier Seat and into a Britax Marathon by 7 months. He was wearing 12-18 clothing at that point.

WOW all I can say is wow! that hit hard!