There is no right or wrong answer here... just curious to see how people feel!!!
As most of us know, the APA (American Peidiatric Ass) now suggest that children RearFace until the age of TWO. (WE ARE NOT DEBATING THIS ISSUE IN THIS POST)
Reguardless of whether you are FF or RF, did your Pedi or their nurse tell you, ask you or recommend that you RF until age TWO at their last doctor appt. MINE DID NOT and I was pretty disappointed by it.
I feel that since it is recommended by the APA of which most belong to or support, that they should at least ask if a child between 12mths and 2yrs is RF and tell them of the recommendations or at the least have a poster up about it in the main office AND the exam rooms.
What is your opionion?
I believe it is my responsibility as a parent to do my own research about everything for my children and never lean on doctors. I'm breastfeeding till 2 despite the fact that they mention stopping, I am NOT adding butter and fat to their food because they aren't as big as the status, I'm rear facing till 2 even though they never mentioned it and I don't care how much Makayla talks or doesn't talk, she's taking her time.
That's just my opinion. Doctors don't always say or do everything and all their opinions go with a grain of salt to me.
My pedi told me I should be excited for the milestone that goes with Rebecca finally being 20 lbs..... I was like "um what would that be?" He thought I was kinda dumb for not turning her front facing. I was a little upset, not that I care what he thinks of me, but that he's giving other parents this advise that may not know any better!!!! GRRRR!!! I think they should be required to tell you what the APA is suggesting.
Asking your pedi. about car seats is like asking your plumber about brain surgery. MOST just don't know anymore than the general public. If you really want to know more about Child Passenger Safety talk to someone at your local SAFE KIDS. They are certified by NHTSA(National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and are trained by them.
http://www.usa.safekids.org/
The ONLY person(besides you or other family member) that should ever install your childs seat is a certifeied Child Passenger Safety Tech. I don't care that the Fire Dept. says they are certified. Ask to see their identification because MOST firefighter, police officers take a 3hrs course and call themselves certified. SAFE KIDS Techs. take a 40hr hands on course to become certified. We also have to participate in x ammount of car seat checks yearly to keep our certification.
Keeping a child rear facing until 2yrs AND 30lbs is PROVEN to be 500% safer. In Sweeden it is the LAW that children RF to 5yrs AND 55lbs because it is so much safer. In a collision a FF childs head, and limbs are thrown violantly forward. A RF childs head and limbs are cradled by the car seat. Their head, neck and spine stay aligned and prevent spinal cord injuries.
If anyone wants more car seat safety info feel free to PM me!
~Sarah
Child Passenger Safet Tech. w/ SAFE KIDS.
Hello,
Yes, my pediatrician asked at my son's one year check up if he was RF or FF. She also asked us if we knew the specifications of the weight limits on our car seat. We had two of them and one i exchanged to meet the current recommendations. I was very glad my husband came to this visit because he has two teenagers, who went FF at age one, but he agreed to keep our lil one RR until age 2 due to the pediatrician recommendations.
in a pickle
- kellynh
on Sep. 18, 2009 at 12:31 PM