CARSEAT HELP!!!

[NIKopotamous]

I'm not one who is super passionate about ERF and such (though I do intend to ERF my soon-to-be baby) but I have a friend who is carseat CLUELESS.  Her son is 6 months and his shoulder straps are waaaay too lose, the chest clip is just above the crotch clip, and he sits so far up that his head flops forward all the time.  I've told her before about how to properly harness him in his seat, but the next time I see her, it's back to the same old ways.

Does anyone know of some info I can give her, or even some videos I could show as to why they need to be the PROPER way?

ALSO, her son is 6 months and 20 lbs (he's a big boy!) and she said tonight that she was thinking about getting him a FF carseat. 

I don't want to lecture her, or to make her think I think less of her, because she is my GOOD friend, but I don't want to see her son hurt.

HELP?!

[norahsmommy]

hopefully if she is a good freind she will listen to you.  Start by telling her you don't want her to get in trouble for ff her son before 12 months.  (its illegal to do so).  Also go on youtube and get some crash test videos for her. The car seat safty group could really help you out here. They have TONS of info on proper seat use and ERF. 

[norahsmommy]

[norahsmommy]

 The American academy of pediatrics recommends rfing until at LEAST the age of 2. 

PARENT PLUS

What to consider when positioning carseats for toddlers

Lori O'Keefe
Correspondent

New research indicates that toddlers are more than five times safer riding rear-facing in a car safety seat up to their second birthday. Following are some safety tips for car seat use:

All infants should ride rear-facing in either an infant car seat or convertible seat.

If an infant car seat is used, the infant should be switched to a rear-facing convertible car seat once the maximum height (when the infant's head is within 1 inch of the top of the seat) and weight (usually 22 pounds to 32 pounds) have been reached for that infant seat as suggested by the car seat manufacturer.

Toddlers should remain rear-facing in a convertible car seat until they have reached the maximum height and weight recommended for the model, or at least the age of 2.

To see if your car seat is installed properly and to find a certified passenger safety technician in your area, visit www.seatcheck.org or www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm. You also can call 866-SEATCHECK (866-732-8243) or 888-327-4236.

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Related articles in AAP News:

 

New advice: Rear-facing car seats safer for children until they are 2

Lori O'Keefe
AAP News 2009 30: 12. [Full Text]  

[erinsmom1964]

What is up with all these "shes my GOOD friend but I'm afraid to be honest with her."  OMG if she got in an accident and the baby was hurt or god forbid killed how would you feel knowing you were too afraid to say anything.  Will you still be glad you didn't hurt her feelings.  GOOD friends aren't afraid to speak the truth and they would NEVER let you put your child in harms way without saying something,

[ballerina18]

Check out the group: Car Seat Safety

There is a slew of videos and articles there that would be great to show your friend!

[smurfbitebug]

sometimes it's the closest friends that are the hardest to talk to about things like this. before you start in on what she needs to change compliment her on her parenting skills in other areas and make sure she understands that you're only saying something because it's such a safety hazard and her son could die and you don't want that to happen to him or her.

[jrp0606]

 join the group in my siggy

and in the reference libary - there are TONNES of links, articles, videos, studies etc.