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Becky Parker Forum All-Star
Joined: May 23 2005 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Feb 08 2008 at 6:12am | IP Logged
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You'd think I would know this by now, but I can't remember at what point it is okay to turn the baby to forward facing in the car seat. (?)
__________________ Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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Paula in MN Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 25 2006 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Feb 08 2008 at 6:25am | IP Logged
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I thought you had to wait until 1 year or 20 pounds? I'm not sure.
EDIT -- I just checked the Amaerican Academy of Pediatrics website and the recommendation is at least 1 year and at least 20 pounds!
Here's the link...
__________________ Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Feb 08 2008 at 11:27am | IP Logged
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yep.. basically it's not about their size but their development.. the tendons/muscles/ligaments in the neck are more stretchy in the younger smaller child.. which would allow way to much force to be exerted on the spinal cord (not stretchy).. if they're thrown forward while facing forward.. could literally snap the spinal column.
It's ok for their legs to be bent.. but the longer you can keep them rearfacing the better for them.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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teachingmyown Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Feb 08 2008 at 2:03pm | IP Logged
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Can I piggyback onto this thread and ask when you allow your kids to sit in the front seat with an air bag? Is there a place that explains the rationale behind the warning about children 12 and under needing to be in the back seat?
My dd will be 12 in a few weeks and wants to sit up front.
__________________ In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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teachingmom Forum All-Star
Virginia Bluebells
Joined: Feb 16 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Feb 08 2008 at 5:12pm | IP Logged
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And I found that some carseats have changed in the past few years. We had to wait for my 16 month old to be 22 lbs before she should be switched to forward facing. (I think she was about 14 months old when we could switch her.) So check your car seat manual.
__________________ ~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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JodieLyn Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Feb 08 2008 at 6:05pm | IP Logged
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Molly, smaller people including smaller adults can be seriously injured by the air bag. I probably won't allow my daughter at 12 just because she's on the very small side. It's basically something I won't rush into allowing because I don't see any reason for them to *need* to sit up front
When you do allow it, the seat should be in the furthest back position and they they should sit "properly" in the seat.. bottom clear back to the back of the seat.. seatbelt properly across hips and shoulder.
__________________ Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Barbara C. Forum All-Star
Joined: July 11 2007 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Feb 08 2008 at 7:32pm | IP Logged
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I think I would avoid letting anyone sit up front just to avoid fights about it down the road when more than one kid is old enough to do so. I remember the front seat always being a big bone of contention between me and my sister in the pre-airbag days.
__________________ Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
Box of Chocolates
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