THANK YOU so much for posting!!! I kept debating about forward or rear-facing my 1 year old (who just turned 1, is over 31 inches long & 21 lbs)....I was thinking I might face him forward UNTIL I saw this video & burst into tears AND did my homework on other sites as well...I have changed my mind! He will be rear-facing now when we install our Graco Nautilus! :) I'm so sorry for the RUDE comments some made that have NOTHING to do with car-seat safety on here! THANK YOU AGAIN!!! :)
@tmccraw1979 The Graco Nautilus if a forward facing only seat, if you like the Nautilus otherwise I would suggest the Graco Myride 65, rear facing to 40 pounds, forward facing to 65, virtually the same buckles...
that forward facing car seat was obviously not properly installed. you can tell by how much of a shift there was at the base at the moment of impact. Not saying anything against rear facing to 35-40 lbs, just pointing out a flaw of the crash test itselt.
@ruthven78 You assumed the forward-facing car seat in the crash test was incorrectly installed. Let me correct you - it WAS correctly installed. Before a crash test is done, each seat is correctly installed and its installation verified by TWO certified CPS child seat technicians.
You assumed that it was incorrectly installed because of the movement of the seat during a crash. That is how much seats move in a crash! Seat belts stretch; the seat of the car compresses; things fly about.
@mdickinson - just curious, is that just what you"know" is done during a crash test or were you actually involved in the crash tests shown in the footage, or involved in crash tests personally?
@mdickinson - sorry,m I rewatched and the video at 1:34 doesnt pass my scrutiny. it looks more like a forward facing booster and not a car seat. it is deffinetly NOT a car seat using a LATCH system. You cannot compare the forward facing "whatever" video to the rear facing car seat video. it would be like be trying to compare video of a thoroughbred horse racing a shetland pony. If you look at the forward facing seat you can see it is only secured by the seat belt and the belt is LOOSE!
@ruthven78 There is absolutely no evidence that a forward facing harnessed seat is any safer than a booster for children who are mature enough to use a booster. That aside, the belts stretch significantly in a crash, both the vehicle seatbelt AND the internal harness of the child restraint. As a CPST I have studied passenger restraint systems quite a bit. What gives you so much expertise? Not being snarky, I honestly want to know what led you to the conclusions you have...
Of course this video neglects to account for information regarding airbags and other safety devices. in those situations a rearward facing seat is lethal.
I prefer to make my own decisions about whats best for my children, there is no golden rule for everybody, every car is different, every child is different and every accident is different.
Dressing the video up with baby pictures, and god awful music just proves this is an emotional play for those that can't make up their own minds.
@peterfarrow This video is pacifically about rear facing child seats, it does not need to go into every aspect if child car safety. Then it would go on for hours. Parents don't always have the right choose for their children. Parents could let their two year old ride without any booster restraint whatsoever, does not mean they have a right to. What do the baby pictures matter? They’re cute and on topic! And taste in music is a matter of opinion, this song was voted best song of the noughties.
Parents always have the right to choose for their children, when busy body people start thinking they know best for everyone else is when things go horribly wrong.
I stand by earlier comments, this video is an emotional play lacking in factual content, and is entirely worthless for anyone with an ounce of common sense, and dangerous scaremongering for those with no common sense, and yes the music is shite.
@peterfarrow "Parents always have the right to choose for their children" Again, most of the time, but not always. Does a parents have the right to let their kid ride without a seatbelt? Do parents have the right to give their 3 yr old a pint?
You see this is where you are going wrong: Who gives you the right to make decisions for someone elses children, who gives you the right to tell someone else?
No one else has the right to tell parents what to do with their children, except when they are breaking the law, thats what the law is for.
If you have to many "micro management" laws and you end up with an unworkable society. Laws and busybodies cannot replace common sense, they just criminilise ordinary people.
@peterfarrow I dnt get y ur so agenst this vid? ur acting almost asif these ppl r bad n r tryin 2 trik ppl. There just sending out a good msg. "and yes the music is sh***." Again, matter of opinion, n da majority of ppl dissagree wiv u. nd anyway, wat dus that hav 2 do wiv anything
How do you know that the majority of people disagree with me,have you done a valid poll? Again you are assuming that you know better, and thats my point.
You assume the moral high ground, based on what you think is right for everyone else.
You have no right to tell anyone else, self appointed "experts" spouting opinions are very dangerous to society.
Also, try to write in English, this is not the place for mobile phone text language, you have full keyboard so use it.
@peterfarrow "How do you know that the majority of people disagree with me...?" Top songs of the noughties- Chasing Cars# 1."You have no right to tell anyone else, self appointed "experts" spouting opinions are very dangerous to society." So we can all go around murduring and stealing and abusing children if we want to? After all, who's to tell us what to do. "Also, try to write in English" I was writing properly, but i ran out of space, so i shortened sum words.
Here is the point: These actions are against the law: "So we can all go around murduring and stealing and abusing children if we want to?"
So no you can't do that. And you certainly have no right to tell anyone else what to do with their children when they are breaking the law, Furthermore, you have no right to tell them even if they are, thats a policeman or a judges job.
There you go again, being self appointed, its not your place and you would do well to learn that.
There was a typo in my reply "are" should have been "aren't" in the first instance.
With regard to how your comment about the majority of people disagreeing with me, you are still assuming everyone agrees with you, which is clearly not the case.
You are on a loser here, and firmly backed into a corner. The thing is, you have no rights to tell others what to do, and your not a judge or a policeman so you can't enforce the law.
@peterfarrow I'm not saying I can tell anyone else what to do. I'm just explaining that we all have responsibilities. And parents responsibility is to protect their children. Somone has to make up the law, so to a certain extent people of authority have to put boundrys on parenting rights.
"you are still assuming everyone agrees with you..." When did I ever say that!?
Great video. I can't believe this turned into a breastfeeding and pacifier debate. Um, People- bottles and pacifers will not kill a baby or a child... forward facing in a front end collison WILL kill a baby or a child. I breastfeed AND formula feed, and allow a pacifier for falling asleep. BUT I will practice extended rear facing for as long as possible.
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Virtually all women are capable of breastfeeding according to the World Health Organization. Do your homework. The point is if you are trying to promote infant safety you don't include pictures of unsafe infant feeding practice and unsafe pacifiers.
Yes all women are CAPABLE of breastfeeding, however there are instances where babies will not latch on because they are not interested in breastfeeding. There is also a possibility of the mother not being able to produce milk. This has NOTHING TO DO WITH BEING CAPABLE OF BREASTFEEDING!!! Now.. I know what you're thinking... then how did women do it before formula? I have your answer, their babies were given either cows milk, or goats milk. DO YOUR OWN FREAKING HOMEWORK!!!!!!
@TheSmartMommy Before formula if a mother couldn't or wouldn't breastfeed, her baby died. Babies can't survive on cow's milk or goat's milk. The only way a baby would survive if the mother couldn't breastfeed is if another mother breastfed the baby for her, a wetnurse. The World Health Organization and UNICEF says 1.3 million babies die every year because they aren't breastfed. Do your homework.
And quit criticizing others. Either you don't have children, or you are too dang overprotective of your children enabling them from living their lives and being successful adults!
@MarcusR2Gail Lol, How did I miss this? Madison could not be breastfed, she had jaundice and her mother was simply not making enough milk. I think the doctors working in the NICU know a little more about her than you. Unsafe pacifiers? It was basically a Soothie(which she primarily used) with a holder on it. There was absolutely no way for either of those pieces to get into her mouth if she somehow used her super strength to get it apart. Amazingly she's made it to 4 1/2 years,happy and healthy.
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@EthanMadison0310 The point is if you are trying to promote infant safety then it is important to promote all aspects of infant safety. There is no reason to show picutres of bottle feeding (propped bottle feeding is even worse) or pacifers (the pacifer happens to be not one of the one recommended). It doesn't have anything to do with reasons for not breastfeeding. Doctors aren't trained in breastfeeding and yes I do know more than doctors working in NICU about breastfeeding.
@MarcusR2Gail I am trying to promote extended rearfacing for toddlers,ONLY. This was made for her father to see because he wasn't sold on extended rearfacing. Those were the only pictures I had of her in her seat so I chose those. Her bottle has never been propped in her life,she was 12 months in those pictures. I said you don't know anything about MADISON,and her reasons for not breastfeeding. How you feed and pacify your baby is a personal decision, it has nothing to do with my niece's video.
Some women really cannot breastfeed due to medications they must take. Anyway, I really don´t see why a video on car seat safety for children should be turned into a debate about breastfeeding vs bottle and pacifiers. Yes I did breastfeed both my children. Why not make a video about breastfeeding vs bottles and pacifiers and upload it here?
While I breastfed both my children, I really don´t see why a video about car seat safety for young children should be turned into a debate about bottles and pacifiers vs, breastfeeding. Not all women can breastfeed due to medications they have to take ex. You can make a video about this and upload it here.
@MarcusR2Gail It is not important to mention all aspects of infant safety. You should make your own video about breastfeeding and pacifiers. Breastfeeding worked for me by the way
@MarcusR2Gail I seriously hope that MY doctors are trained in breastfeeding as both of them (my Obgyn and my PCP) are mothers of small children who breastfed.
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@EthanMadison0310 We HAVE to be careful if we want to promote child health & safety. We can't make statements like "amazingly she's made it to 41/2 years happy and healthy." There weren't car seats when I was a baby and my mother can say that about car seats. It's too bad these parents got inadequate breastfeeding info support and didn't bf, but that's not my point! My point is, don't show bottle feeding (& pacifiers) in a car seat safety promotion video, it takes away credibility.
@MarcusR2Gail Bottle feeding and and pacifiers have absolutely nothing to do with riding in a carseat. This was made to convince someone to continue rearfacing this baby, who was already bottle feeding for medical reasons and using a pacifier.I didn't need to promote anything to them. I promoted extended rearfacing which is all I want to do here. Any further comments varying from car seat safety will be removed.
@MarcusR2Gail Are you on CRACK? This is an amazingly educational video (that I have been reposting for a long time). Who in the hell are you to say she can't show bottle feeding & pacifiers in a car seat safety video???? And how do you know that's NOT breast milk in the bottle? I don't even know why I am trying to respond to you. You have just blown YOUR credibility for being so ignorant. Seriously, I'm totally speechless.
@MarcusR2Gail Are you on CRACK? This is an amazingly educational video (that I have been reposting for a long time). Who in the hell are you to say she can't show bottle feeding & pacifiers in a car seat safety video???? And how do you know that's NOT breast milk in the bottle? I don't even know why I am trying to respond to you. You have just blown YOUR credibility for being so ignorant. Seriously, I'm totally speechless.
@MarcusR2Gail You realize people can pump breastmilk into bottles so the father can experience feeding & bonding time, right? What about mothers who work, they also pump. I plan on staying home with my baby and I will still pump so dad can share in feeding time. Bottles are not bad, I think what you're concerned about is formula.
If they are concerned about Madison's safety they wouldn't be feeding her a bottle and giving her that pacifier. Breastfeeding is the safe choice and the only safe pacifier is a one piece pacifier.
Its a sensor to see how much head excursion is placed on the dummy's head in a collision. They also have them on forward facing dummies as well....but attached at a different position.
@swtgi1982 the Radian XT SL is a GREAT one. holds rear facing up to 5-45lbs and forward facing up to 80lbs. just a fabulous buy, that carseat will last your child from birth to age 4 or 5.
awesome video thank you for making this. My daughter is 16 months and rearfacing in a seat that will allow her to remain rearfacing up to 40lbs! You can bet the will remain rearfacing to the MAX!
i know its bad the safest car ever to have for madison is a volvo estate or any volvo cause of all of the metal in front to stop people comin out of seats or hurting there selfs and if madison was in a volvo crash nothin will hapen cause the crumpel zone ant the metal so if you whant a safe car get a volvo.
Yea you! What an awesome thing to make this video for your sister. I know too well how awkward it can be talking to others about safety seat issues. You have done a fabulous job.
Why on the REAR Facing impact is the DUMMY's head taped down? And on the forward facing it appears to be very loose. Why can't they test without trying to sku the results. It would be nice to see what really happens without some idiot trying to make a point.
@suminfishy Actually, I just noticed that too. Anyone know why the dummy's head is taped down when rear facing but not taped down when forward facing?????
The Latch is NOT recommended over the seat belt because of that. Its recommended over the seat belt because its sometimes easier to for parents to use. They both are made to give to help the car seat ride out in collision. Which is why it is NEVER safe to use them both.
I am glad to have seen this since I have been debating on facing my child forward. I have been told that is ok to turn a child forward on their first birthday. I did not feel comfortable with this idea. And now that I have seen video of this I will stick with my instincts. kimmy659 is more than likely someone that is justifying themselves for what they practice.
Where can I buy two of Sweden's 55lb RF car seats? I had to turn my son around (23m) at 14m because he'd hit the 33lb RF weight limit on my Britax Marathon. He'll be two next week and is now only 37lbs. Would he be safer RF at 4lbs over the weight limit? It's a 65lb harness FF. I have to wonder if extended harnessing is actually safer than a booster when FF. Obviously RF is best, but internal decapitation is a real threat.
EthanMadison - thank you so much for creating this video. I thankfully learned about ERF when my son was 10 months old - so he rode safely rfing until he was a bit past the age of 3. I have sent your video to so many friends and family - you have made such a difference for so many children.
Thanks so much for this info, I don't even know how I stumbled accross your video but the universe works in mysterious ways as just this morning I was thinking about turning around my six month olds carseat (we are in Aust). Now Rylee will stay rear facing for as long as she is physically able to fit into the seat. I can't thank you enough.
Just wanted to note that the carseat shown in the forward facing video is not very well installed. A carseat should not move more than 1inch from side to side at the belt path.
The forward facing seat was properly installed. Seats belts are designed to have some "give" - that is what you were seeing. All seatbelts will do this in an accident.
it is not the belt i am concerned about but the harness on the dummy was way to loose i know seat belt shave some give but the harness does not! This is why Latch is recommended over the seat belt there is less give.
I already know the importance of ERF. I am adding this to mine and my husbands myspaces pages so people will stop questioning why my 22 pound 14 month old is rear facing.
Lol, she stopped using a pacifier when she was 18 mos, however the pacifier never inhibited her speech. she's almost three years old now and has a very advanced vocabulary for her age.
Please, my daughter had a binky until she was almost 3 and never had a problem, was speaking in complete sentences by the age of 2, it's not like they have it in their mouths 24-7, come on...
Thank you for making this video. I plan to keep my 11 month old son rear facing for as long as possible and it is great that you are getting the word out. Can I ask what program you used to make the video?
I was looking forward to turning my little one around at 1 year. But someone told me about recommended 30 lbs limit. My research took me to this video. Now Ciena will remain rear facing.
thanks for the info, I will now keep my son rear facing after he turns one. Thank GOD Madison is OK....I didnt think it was going to end good. OH thank you thank you thank you
Frontal & frontal offset crashes account for about 72% of crashes. Rear & rear-offset crashes in only about 4%. The rest are side impacts where RFing is also safer. Typicly frontal crashes happen at higher speeds and normally rear end impacts happen while 1 vehical is stopped or moving slowly. Google something called "ride-down time" too.
For these reasons, it is best to protect infants against the crashes which are by far the most common and most severe.
My daughter was rf'ing at about 21 months when we were slammed from behind on the highway- she was FINE thank God. Don't forget also, that many times, when you are rear ended you are then pushed into another car in front of you for a subsequent frontal impact. It is still safer.
Thank you for this video! At the moment I am trying to tell other parents not to buy seats which do not allow rear facing transportation for children under 4 years. The newest guest in our car is the HTS Izi Combi X1 :)
I love that you made this video. I think many parents see it as some sort of right of passage to turn their infant forward-facing on their first birthday. As a CPS Tech, I see it A LOT. And even after explaining the immense benefits of extended rear-facing to these parents, you wouldn't believe the excuses they give me to keep them forward. Geez, it's your child...you secure them the way they are safest. Boo hoo if it's a little inconvenient...you'll really "boo hoo" in a crash.
The portion of the car seat that is not next to the seat normally moves a LOT more than the crash test shows. IT looks like it is attached at the base of the car seat to the front of the chair. I know they also show the car seat hitting the back of the seat in front. I wish they would show a conv. van like ours...we have at least 2 feet between the top of the rear facing car seat and the seat in front of it. What's best in our situation? Our "under 35 lb." child is 23 mo. and 23 lbs./34 in.
The crash tests show a seat that is braced (pushed into front seat) & tethered to minimize movement. In the US, only Britax convertibles & the SK Radians can be done this way.
Most US seats cannot be tethered when RF & will rebound (move toward the seatback) in a crash. So yes, there will be more movement than shown here, but it is safe. A correctly installed & used RF seat is safer than a FF seat.
My first son was RF to 3 yrs, 8 days old & his brother is still RF at 22.5 months.
amazing video. i will certainly do that. i have a 7 and 1/2 month old at home. she's so cute. i got the link to your vid from my mommy message boards at whattoexpect dot com. the may 2007 boards.
"They aren't taped down, those are sensors that detect the different forces that occur in the crash. They are present on the Forward facing ones as well, just harder to see."
Lol,Sorry, that wasn't meant to sound bad, I was just giving that person credit for their response. I'm not a CPST, so I'm probably not the one to ask, but I've also seen these sensors on many different crash test videos, whether it's facing forward, rear, or if it's a booster. I think it's just easier to see in that particular clip because we're looking directly over it. :)
A car seat safety technician convinced my son's father today that our son is "safer" forward facing than rear facing (how I had it) in his seat that forward faces to 35 lbs (our son is 21 lbs). The tech turned the seat around. I have emailed your video to his father.
They aren't taped down, those are sensors that detect the different forces that occur in the crash. They are present on the Forward facing ones as well, just harder to see.
Wow! This video is great! I'm actually new to U-Tube - I was scouring the net to track down good video-clips regarding travelling rear-facing (I'm Swedish)- I'm in the process of introducing seats to NZ that can rearface to 25 kg (55lb) so have a huge task of educating the NZ public. Can you please tell me if videos like yours is permitted to be saved and shown outside U-Tube? Credit to you for putting such an awesome video together!
In my short ER career, a 1 year old child is now paralized from the neck down from forward facing car seat. This child was big enough to face forward by current standards.
In a separate incident an older child didn't want to be buckled into her booster seat, her mother gave in because it was just a short drive, and she was killed while fastened into an adult seat belt at age 6.
If that's a Graco Snugride, then it is ok to leave the handle up. At one point we had a small car and the only way we could fit the seat in was with the handle up.
Just a note to those asking for the handle to be put down: Madison wasn't in the car when these photos were taken, and the handle was always down when she was in the car. While it isn't required for the handle to be down anymore, I just don't really like seeing it up, either, Lol.
Madison is no longer in this seat as she's just turned two years old, on the 16th of September. She is still rear-facing though, in a convertible seat.
Graco no longer requires that the handle be in the down position for transport, so having it up IS following manufacturers directions. As a CPST, firefighter, and paramedic, I share this video with at least five or six people a week. This is one of the BEST informative car seat videos out there. Congrats and thank you for your efforts.
I was shaking after watching this video. I have turned my 2 and a half year old back around. I have also made it a point to mention it to all of my friends.
i would like to add that all rear facing car seats should also be used with the carrying handle DOWN..
i know it's nice to have the bar with hanging toys but the car seat does not work properly with the handle up. the handle stops the seat from cocooning to protect the child from flying objects etc.
I was trained (as a car seat technician) to believe this also, but at a recent technical teleconference I learned that instructions vary. Graco Snug Ride allows "position A" for rebound protection.
yes it's VERY important the carrying handle is DOWN it makes me upset when I see parents that just put their kids in the base don't check it was locked asuming that it's in because of the click and NOT putting the handledown please plase put it down
i also wanted to take the opportunity to say if u ever witness an MVC, u should never move anyone in the vehicles unless they r in eminant danger of being hit by other vehicles or if the vehicle is on fire. if children r involved and u absolutely must move them than try taking them out WITH their carseat to prevent further injury.
im a paramedic and i have seen it first hand, the difference in injures suffered by children in FF carseats compared to those in RF facing are not even compariable. RF are less likely to be hit by flying loose objects in the car on impact thus less blunt force trauma.
To the poster re: legs, don't worry about them. Kids are flexible. My son stayed RF until 2 years 10 months when he got too heavy. Never an issue with his legs. Check out the RF page at cpsafety dot com for pics and info.
In Australia most seats are rearfacing to 9KG,nearly 20 pound. Some newer seats 12kg,26.5pound.This is MAXIMUM weight our seats hold rearfacing. My girl Toni died, she WAS using a belt that was LEGAL. We are fighting for safer LAWS. our 5pt harness seats only go up to 18kg (39.5 pound).
click on my name to see videos I made to raise awareness in Aus on child safety. google "belletoni" for a foundation we set up to stop what happened to my daughter happening to other children.
My wife has been sharing this with everyone she knows with infants. She also works for a Parenting Website and has this video highlighted as a must see. Thanks for this video!
Thank you SOOOO Much for doing this video!! I never knew this!! This video has been going around our parenting boards, and been the big discussion lately! lol My twin boys are 18 months old, and 27.5# now. Just tonight, at 11 pm, I was out turning their carseats around so they can be a lot safer next time we're out and about! I never knew I had a choice! I thought... you just turn them around at 20# and 1yr old! I have passed on your video to all our friends who have little ones too.
In Sweden it is common for children to ride rear facing until they are 3, 5 or even 10 years old. The injury/death statistics (I saw a Sweden/France comparison) is about 10:1 in favor of rear-facing seats.
Actually, Recaro doesn't currently make any convertible seats. They have a convertible seat (2 different versions) coming out in June, but their current seats are forward-facing only.
I had no idea that so many experts recommend that babies be kept rear-facing for as long as possible. Thanks for making this video, and I'm no longer so anxious to turn little Brady around!
I watched Kyle Milller's video and his accident was sort of the same thing. what is diffrent is he was facing forward, and if he was facing backwards i wonder if when is car continuesly rolled over if facing to the rear could have saved his life not sure but i am sure that by makinng this video you have saved many lives and you shuold be proud.
Kyle was 40lbs when his accident occurred so he would not have been able to be rear-facing. The issue was he was in a booster seat with a seatbelt. The seatbelt failed. Our foundation, the Kyle David Miller Foundation, promoted rear-facing for as long as possible as 5 point harnessing for as long as possible - 80lbs.
Thank you for this video. My 18 month old is still backward-facing today and I will not turn her around until she has reached 33 pounds (weight limit).
It should be a convertible seat that is approved for rear-facing as well as forward-facing use. If a seat is only approved for forward-facing use then it should not be installed rear-facing. If you have a convertible seat then instructions on how to install it rear-facing should be in the instruction manual for the seat. Also, it's always a good idea to get seats checked out by a certified Child Passenger Safety Tech at a carseat check. They can show you how to install it if you're unsure.:)
good news. after watching kyle's video and yours i went to my morning carseat inspection appointment today and she made a few adjustments, and gold me some things i was doing wrong like letting my daughter where her huge jacket, and having things in the back that could fly around. for now, i feel 90% safe with her FF, but when i get around to buying a britax or changing our cosco RF, i'll still be nervous :-/
you have given me something to think about my son will be 2 on dec 24th and weighs about 25lbs he has been forward facing since he was 10 months old but after seeing that i am considering turning him back around that is very scary and a big eye opener
i turned him around yesterday and am very happy about it! once again thank you for this video...i also know of another child that is being turned around because of it...you making this video will most likely save a childs life
Thanks so much well done I am keeping my son rf for as long as I feel I dont care what anyone says HE IS MY BABY,, this is a great video please keep passing it on..
I too turned my daughter forward facing at 1 year old...then I became a certified child passenger safety technician when she was 16mo old. I left after the first day of class and turned her back RF.
I would MUCH rather her have a broken leg than a broken neck! And, it's always important to get your child's seat inspected by a certified technician.
Thank you everyone for all of your wonderful comments. It's great knowing that this video helped you make the decision to keep your children rearfacing longer. :)
Thank you for making this video. There are so many parents out there that have no clue about car seats and what is best for their child. Just because the law states at one year and 20 pounds you can turn your child forward-facing doesn't mean you should.
thanks for making this! I turned my 3 year old daughter around shortly after her first birthday. But after seeing this I will be keeping my eight month son rear facing for a whole lot longer. thanks again!
THANKS! Until I sent my husband the link to this video, we had argued for 9 months over whether or not to turn the carseat around at 1 year. (In the RF position it pushes the front passenger seat so far forward he can't sit there.) Now we hav emoved on to arguing over whether to buy a 2nd car or replace the current small one with a bigger one.
Etidwell, The seat does not have to be at a 45 degree angle when your baby is old enough to hold their head. Therefore your rear-facing carseat WILL fit. You can go see your local CPS Tech. They will help you install the carseat more upright so it will fit better.
Our carseat was intalled by a CPS tech when our daughter was 5 months old and we were told at that time that the more upright position was for FF. But I will definitely check -- we have a new carseat for Grandma's car and I'm taking her to learn how to install it from an expert.
Look at the number of comments saying they'd rather have their kids break a leg in a RF carseat than risk "a broken neck". If your kid is at risk of a broken neck, go buy them a carseat that's the right size... the direction they're facing is less of a concern.
A child is more at risk of a broken neck in a properly installed forward facing seat than they are in a properly installed rearfacing seat if they are within the weight requirements and their head is within 1 inch of the top of the seat. While there isn't any real concrete evidence that suggests rearfacing causes broken legs, they can be repaired. A broken neck can cause death or paralyzation.
But no one is advocating misusing a rearfacing seat. All convertibles on the market rearface up to at least 30 pounds, which is at least age 2 for most kids, which gives the spinal column a chance to develop properly to protect the spinal cord from the tremendous forces associated with a frontal or side impact crash.
A carseat that is the right size IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE DIRECTION THEY FACE! purcyou have questions on the type of car seat to purchase for the size of the child, contact a Certified Technician. You can go to "www.safekids.org" and find a tech in your area!
The bones in the neck do not solidify until between 1-2 years of age. That means in a crash with that child FF the bones will stretch but the spinal cord does not which is results in a broken neck.
Actually, there are more cases of broken legs in a ff crash than rf. In a rf front on crash the child's legs are thrown up towards their head, or up and to the side in a side on crash, so are not likely to hit the seat back at all. I've only heard of two anecdotal cases of broken leg in a rf crash compared to many in ff crashes where the legs hit the seat in front...
cont. A broken neck has NOTHING to do with the size of the seat. It's due to internal decapitation caused by the head been thrown forward and the spinal cord snapping. A child's head is significantly disproportionately large when compared to that of an adult, hence why they are at more risk of internal decapitation when ff than an adult.
The comparison was between two properly installed carseats in rearfacing and forward facing positions. Chances are if someone's rearfacing seat is improperly installed then their forward facing install will be wrong as well. If people don't care enough to read their carseat manual or take them to a car seat inspection, that's a different story entirely.
The FF carseat in the crash clip moved far too much for me to think it was installed correctly. Comparing an improperly installed FF carseat to a properly installed RF carseat is going to look pretty dramatic. Inaccurate, but dramatic.
Legally, a head can fly forward up to 32 inches from a point behind the seatback without a top tether. Get out a tape measure, you'll see that's quite a long way. It' looks more dramatic than it is, and ALL carseats look like that, even when top tethered, in high speed filming of that nature.
Those were clips of actual crash tests which require the seats to be installed to manufacturers standards. Both seats were installed correctly. A correctly installed ff seat has a lot of "give" and allows the body to be thrown forward significantly. Using a top tether on the ff seat is not allowed for crash testing as the seat must pass without a tether. Having a tether would stop the seat going forward as much but it increases the load on the neck and spine so doesn't make the seat any safe
Here in Canada it is proven that it is safer to have the seat tethered and it is illegal not to have the seat tethered. The car seat in Canada must pass using a tether (which is why many car seats are not available in Canada that are available in the States due to the fact they don't meet Canada's strict standards)
While the main point is well-made, I do have to agree that one of the final deciding factors in a crash is whether the child seat was installed correctly. It isn't just about bad parents vs good, even the "good" parents can install a car seat improperly, after reading the manual, and think they got it right because things look right once it's all put together. Also, sometimes the people at the inspection sites are unsure themselves of the best way to put in the car seat (personal experience).
THANK YOU so much for posting!!! I kept debating about forward or rear-facing my 1 year old (who just turned 1, is over 31 inches long & 21 lbs)....I was thinking I might face him forward UNTIL I saw this video & burst into tears AND did my homework on other sites as well...I have changed my mind! He will be rear-facing now when we install our Graco Nautilus! :) I'm so sorry for the RUDE comments some made that have NOTHING to do with car-seat safety on here! THANK YOU AGAIN!!! :)
tmccraw1979 5 months ago
@tmccraw1979 The Graco Nautilus if a forward facing only seat, if you like the Nautilus otherwise I would suggest the Graco Myride 65, rear facing to 40 pounds, forward facing to 65, virtually the same buckles...
MommyJessica1 2 months ago
that forward facing car seat was obviously not properly installed. you can tell by how much of a shift there was at the base at the moment of impact. Not saying anything against rear facing to 35-40 lbs, just pointing out a flaw of the crash test itselt.
ruthven78 1 year ago
@ruthven78 You assumed the forward-facing car seat in the crash test was incorrectly installed. Let me correct you - it WAS correctly installed. Before a crash test is done, each seat is correctly installed and its installation verified by TWO certified CPS child seat technicians.
You assumed that it was incorrectly installed because of the movement of the seat during a crash. That is how much seats move in a crash! Seat belts stretch; the seat of the car compresses; things fly about.
mdickinson 1 year ago
@mdickinson - just curious, is that just what you"know" is done during a crash test or were you actually involved in the crash tests shown in the footage, or involved in crash tests personally?
ruthven78 1 year ago
@mdickinson - sorry,m I rewatched and the video at 1:34 doesnt pass my scrutiny. it looks more like a forward facing booster and not a car seat. it is deffinetly NOT a car seat using a LATCH system. You cannot compare the forward facing "whatever" video to the rear facing car seat video. it would be like be trying to compare video of a thoroughbred horse racing a shetland pony. If you look at the forward facing seat you can see it is only secured by the seat belt and the belt is LOOSE!
ruthven78 1 year ago
@ruthven78 There is absolutely no evidence that a forward facing harnessed seat is any safer than a booster for children who are mature enough to use a booster. That aside, the belts stretch significantly in a crash, both the vehicle seatbelt AND the internal harness of the child restraint. As a CPST I have studied passenger restraint systems quite a bit. What gives you so much expertise? Not being snarky, I honestly want to know what led you to the conclusions you have...
MommyJessica1 2 months ago
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it's safer if you put the safety seat on the roof. you can use some string to tie it down. a simple bow like how you'd tie your shoe will suffice.
cutefriendanton 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
it's safer if you put the safety seat on the roof. you can use some string to tie it down. a simple bow like how you'd tie your shoe will suffice.
cutefriendanton 1 year ago
it's safer if you put the safety seat on the roof. you can use some string to tie it down. a simple bow like how you'd tie your shoe will suffice.
cutefriendanton 1 year ago
it's a better view backward's
SCUBONZIES 1 year ago
Of course this video neglects to account for information regarding airbags and other safety devices. in those situations a rearward facing seat is lethal.
I prefer to make my own decisions about whats best for my children, there is no golden rule for everybody, every car is different, every child is different and every accident is different.
Dressing the video up with baby pictures, and god awful music just proves this is an emotional play for those that can't make up their own minds.
peterfarrow 1 year ago
@peterfarrow This video is pacifically about rear facing child seats, it does not need to go into every aspect if child car safety. Then it would go on for hours. Parents don't always have the right choose for their children. Parents could let their two year old ride without any booster restraint whatsoever, does not mean they have a right to. What do the baby pictures matter? They’re cute and on topic! And taste in music is a matter of opinion, this song was voted best song of the noughties.
lizzyluv96 1 year ago
@lizzyluv96
Parents always have the right to choose for their children, when busy body people start thinking they know best for everyone else is when things go horribly wrong.
I stand by earlier comments, this video is an emotional play lacking in factual content, and is entirely worthless for anyone with an ounce of common sense, and dangerous scaremongering for those with no common sense, and yes the music is shite.
peterfarrow 1 year ago
@peterfarrow "Parents always have the right to choose for their children" Again, most of the time, but not always. Does a parents have the right to let their kid ride without a seatbelt? Do parents have the right to give their 3 yr old a pint?
lizzyluv96 1 year ago
@lizzyluv96
You see this is where you are going wrong: Who gives you the right to make decisions for someone elses children, who gives you the right to tell someone else?
No one else has the right to tell parents what to do with their children, except when they are breaking the law, thats what the law is for.
If you have to many "micro management" laws and you end up with an unworkable society. Laws and busybodies cannot replace common sense, they just criminilise ordinary people.
peterfarrow 1 year ago
@peterfarrow I dnt get y ur so agenst this vid? ur acting almost asif these ppl r bad n r tryin 2 trik ppl. There just sending out a good msg. "and yes the music is sh***." Again, matter of opinion, n da majority of ppl dissagree wiv u. nd anyway, wat dus that hav 2 do wiv anything
lizzyluv96 1 year ago
@lizzyluv96
How do you know that the majority of people disagree with me,have you done a valid poll? Again you are assuming that you know better, and thats my point.
You assume the moral high ground, based on what you think is right for everyone else.
You have no right to tell anyone else, self appointed "experts" spouting opinions are very dangerous to society.
Also, try to write in English, this is not the place for mobile phone text language, you have full keyboard so use it.
peterfarrow 1 year ago
@peterfarrow "How do you know that the majority of people disagree with me...?" Top songs of the noughties- Chasing Cars# 1."You have no right to tell anyone else, self appointed "experts" spouting opinions are very dangerous to society." So we can all go around murduring and stealing and abusing children if we want to? After all, who's to tell us what to do. "Also, try to write in English" I was writing properly, but i ran out of space, so i shortened sum words.
lizzyluv96 1 year ago
@lizzyluv96
Here is the point: These actions are against the law: "So we can all go around murduring and stealing and abusing children if we want to?"
So no you can't do that. And you certainly have no right to tell anyone else what to do with their children when they are breaking the law, Furthermore, you have no right to tell them even if they are, thats a policeman or a judges job.
There you go again, being self appointed, its not your place and you would do well to learn that.
peterfarrow 1 year ago
@lizzyluv96
There was a typo in my reply "are" should have been "aren't" in the first instance.
With regard to how your comment about the majority of people disagreeing with me, you are still assuming everyone agrees with you, which is clearly not the case.
You are on a loser here, and firmly backed into a corner. The thing is, you have no rights to tell others what to do, and your not a judge or a policeman so you can't enforce the law.
You still need to grasp this point.
peterfarrow 1 year ago
@peterfarrow I'm not saying I can tell anyone else what to do. I'm just explaining that we all have responsibilities. And parents responsibility is to protect their children. Somone has to make up the law, so to a certain extent people of authority have to put boundrys on parenting rights.
"you are still assuming everyone agrees with you..." When did I ever say that!?
lizzyluv96 1 year ago
Great video. I can't believe this turned into a breastfeeding and pacifier debate. Um, People- bottles and pacifers will not kill a baby or a child... forward facing in a front end collison WILL kill a baby or a child. I breastfeed AND formula feed, and allow a pacifier for falling asleep. BUT I will practice extended rear facing for as long as possible.
blooeyedbaybee 1 year ago
thank you for this, I reference it all the time.
mikeanddanica 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Virtually all women are capable of breastfeeding according to the World Health Organization. Do your homework. The point is if you are trying to promote infant safety you don't include pictures of unsafe infant feeding practice and unsafe pacifiers.
MarcusR2Gail 1 year ago
@MarcusR2Gail
Yes all women are CAPABLE of breastfeeding, however there are instances where babies will not latch on because they are not interested in breastfeeding. There is also a possibility of the mother not being able to produce milk. This has NOTHING TO DO WITH BEING CAPABLE OF BREASTFEEDING!!! Now.. I know what you're thinking... then how did women do it before formula? I have your answer, their babies were given either cows milk, or goats milk. DO YOUR OWN FREAKING HOMEWORK!!!!!!
TheSmartMommy 1 year ago 2
@TheSmartMommy Before formula if a mother couldn't or wouldn't breastfeed, her baby died. Babies can't survive on cow's milk or goat's milk. The only way a baby would survive if the mother couldn't breastfeed is if another mother breastfed the baby for her, a wetnurse. The World Health Organization and UNICEF says 1.3 million babies die every year because they aren't breastfed. Do your homework.
MarcusR2Gail 1 year ago
@MarcusR2Gail
And quit criticizing others. Either you don't have children, or you are too dang overprotective of your children enabling them from living their lives and being successful adults!
TheSmartMommy 1 year ago
@MarcusR2Gail Lol, How did I miss this? Madison could not be breastfed, she had jaundice and her mother was simply not making enough milk. I think the doctors working in the NICU know a little more about her than you. Unsafe pacifiers? It was basically a Soothie(which she primarily used) with a holder on it. There was absolutely no way for either of those pieces to get into her mouth if she somehow used her super strength to get it apart. Amazingly she's made it to 4 1/2 years,happy and healthy.
EthanMadison0310 1 year ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@EthanMadison0310 The point is if you are trying to promote infant safety then it is important to promote all aspects of infant safety. There is no reason to show picutres of bottle feeding (propped bottle feeding is even worse) or pacifers (the pacifer happens to be not one of the one recommended). It doesn't have anything to do with reasons for not breastfeeding. Doctors aren't trained in breastfeeding and yes I do know more than doctors working in NICU about breastfeeding.
MarcusR2Gail 1 year ago
@MarcusR2Gail I am trying to promote extended rearfacing for toddlers,ONLY. This was made for her father to see because he wasn't sold on extended rearfacing. Those were the only pictures I had of her in her seat so I chose those. Her bottle has never been propped in her life,she was 12 months in those pictures. I said you don't know anything about MADISON,and her reasons for not breastfeeding. How you feed and pacify your baby is a personal decision, it has nothing to do with my niece's video.
EthanMadison0310 1 year ago 6
@MarcusR2Gail
Some women really cannot breastfeed due to medications they must take. Anyway, I really don´t see why a video on car seat safety for children should be turned into a debate about breastfeeding vs bottle and pacifiers. Yes I did breastfeed both my children. Why not make a video about breastfeeding vs bottles and pacifiers and upload it here?
lenats31 1 year ago
@MarcusR2Gail
While I breastfed both my children, I really don´t see why a video about car seat safety for young children should be turned into a debate about bottles and pacifiers vs, breastfeeding. Not all women can breastfeed due to medications they have to take ex. You can make a video about this and upload it here.
lenats31 1 year ago
@MarcusR2Gail It is not important to mention all aspects of infant safety. You should make your own video about breastfeeding and pacifiers. Breastfeeding worked for me by the way
lenats31 1 year ago
@MarcusR2Gail I seriously hope that MY doctors are trained in breastfeeding as both of them (my Obgyn and my PCP) are mothers of small children who breastfed.
BankySkitch 4 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@EthanMadison0310 We HAVE to be careful if we want to promote child health & safety. We can't make statements like "amazingly she's made it to 41/2 years happy and healthy." There weren't car seats when I was a baby and my mother can say that about car seats. It's too bad these parents got inadequate breastfeeding info support and didn't bf, but that's not my point! My point is, don't show bottle feeding (& pacifiers) in a car seat safety promotion video, it takes away credibility.
MarcusR2Gail 11 months ago
@MarcusR2Gail Bottle feeding and and pacifiers have absolutely nothing to do with riding in a carseat. This was made to convince someone to continue rearfacing this baby, who was already bottle feeding for medical reasons and using a pacifier.I didn't need to promote anything to them. I promoted extended rearfacing which is all I want to do here. Any further comments varying from car seat safety will be removed.
EthanMadison0310 10 months ago 2
@MarcusR2Gail Are you on CRACK? This is an amazingly educational video (that I have been reposting for a long time). Who in the hell are you to say she can't show bottle feeding & pacifiers in a car seat safety video???? And how do you know that's NOT breast milk in the bottle? I don't even know why I am trying to respond to you. You have just blown YOUR credibility for being so ignorant. Seriously, I'm totally speechless.
TheHappyMama1 10 months ago
@MarcusR2Gail Are you on CRACK? This is an amazingly educational video (that I have been reposting for a long time). Who in the hell are you to say she can't show bottle feeding & pacifiers in a car seat safety video???? And how do you know that's NOT breast milk in the bottle? I don't even know why I am trying to respond to you. You have just blown YOUR credibility for being so ignorant. Seriously, I'm totally speechless.
TheHappyMama1 10 months ago 2
@MarcusR2Gail You realize people can pump breastmilk into bottles so the father can experience feeding & bonding time, right? What about mothers who work, they also pump. I plan on staying home with my baby and I will still pump so dad can share in feeding time. Bottles are not bad, I think what you're concerned about is formula.
Also, Pacifiers have been shown to reduce SIDS.
jesirose2 10 months ago
@MarcusR2Gail geez louise chill out
alexakuehl 11 months ago
If they are concerned about Madison's safety they wouldn't be feeding her a bottle and giving her that pacifier. Breastfeeding is the safe choice and the only safe pacifier is a one piece pacifier.
MarcusR2Gail 1 year ago
some people cant breastfeed so research before you speak!!!
lump12345 1 year ago
@MarcusR2Gail
Can anyone else say OVERPROTECTIVE??
TheSmartMommy 1 year ago
Its a sensor to see how much head excursion is placed on the dummy's head in a collision. They also have them on forward facing dummies as well....but attached at a different position.
waddlemom 2 years ago
Thank you for making this video, It help me a lot !!!!!!!!!!!!
jordangirl88 2 years ago
My son is only 4 months old and already weighs nearly 20lbs (he was 10 at birth) and will remain rear-facing for as long as possible
Melannen 2 years ago
new seats will rear face up to 40-45lbs
swtgi1982 2 years ago
@swtgi1982 the Radian XT SL is a GREAT one. holds rear facing up to 5-45lbs and forward facing up to 80lbs. just a fabulous buy, that carseat will last your child from birth to age 4 or 5.
77MommaBear96 1 year ago
awesome video thank you for making this. My daughter is 16 months and rearfacing in a seat that will allow her to remain rearfacing up to 40lbs! You can bet the will remain rearfacing to the MAX!
kdantin87 2 years ago 2
Madison is my niece too :) she is now 1 year., (Y)
picklesrule69 2 years ago
Thank you Ethan. My nephew's name is Enrique. He is eight months old now and is starting to ride his parents' car.
I'm sure my sister Isabel will learn from your teaching
juncedan 2 years ago
i know its bad the safest car ever to have for madison is a volvo estate or any volvo cause of all of the metal in front to stop people comin out of seats or hurting there selfs and if madison was in a volvo crash nothin will hapen cause the crumpel zone ant the metal so if you whant a safe car get a volvo.
jessiibubz 2 years ago
Yea you! What an awesome thing to make this video for your sister. I know too well how awkward it can be talking to others about safety seat issues. You have done a fabulous job.
reallyerica 2 years ago
Why on the REAR Facing impact is the DUMMY's head taped down? And on the forward facing it appears to be very loose. Why can't they test without trying to sku the results. It would be nice to see what really happens without some idiot trying to make a point.
suminfishy 2 years ago
It's not tape. It's a sensor to measure how far the child rides up the back of the car seat in a collision.
~Sarah
Child Passenger Safety Tech.
babyboomboom0029 2 years ago 3
@suminfishy Actually, I just noticed that too. Anyone know why the dummy's head is taped down when rear facing but not taped down when forward facing?????
brandedprincess 2 years ago
@brandedprincess it's not taped down. the tape is attached to the dummy only, it holds a sensor on it.
watch Joel's story on youtube is you want to see what can truly happen.
it boggles my mind the way people pick at stuff even when much research is done. amazed...would everyone really gamble w/their kids safety? really?
77MommaBear96 1 year ago
My 3 children are all still rear facing, including my 3.75yo son. He is only 32lbs and his seat goes up to 40lbs RFing.
Emmoney 2 years ago 2
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Thank you for teaching...
arrivesafe 2 years ago
The Latch is NOT recommended over the seat belt because of that. Its recommended over the seat belt because its sometimes easier to for parents to use. They both are made to give to help the car seat ride out in collision. Which is why it is NEVER safe to use them both.
waddlemom 2 years ago
Excellent video. I've been debating facing my child forward once he is able to (22 lbs) but I think you've changed my mind.
Your niece is beautiful by the way. I hope your sister took your information and made the right decision!!
Jaimster80 2 years ago 3
great video.
d103cc 2 years ago
I am glad to have seen this since I have been debating on facing my child forward. I have been told that is ok to turn a child forward on their first birthday. I did not feel comfortable with this idea. And now that I have seen video of this I will stick with my instincts. kimmy659 is more than likely someone that is justifying themselves for what they practice.
dldjeep 3 years ago
Where can I buy two of Sweden's 55lb RF car seats? I had to turn my son around (23m) at 14m because he'd hit the 33lb RF weight limit on my Britax Marathon. He'll be two next week and is now only 37lbs. Would he be safer RF at 4lbs over the weight limit? It's a 65lb harness FF. I have to wonder if extended harnessing is actually safer than a booster when FF. Obviously RF is best, but internal decapitation is a real threat.
vctorascrt 3 years ago
EthanMadison - thank you so much for creating this video. I thankfully learned about ERF when my son was 10 months old - so he rode safely rfing until he was a bit past the age of 3. I have sent your video to so many friends and family - you have made such a difference for so many children.
KrisPBG 3 years ago
Thanks so much for this info, I don't even know how I stumbled accross your video but the universe works in mysterious ways as just this morning I was thinking about turning around my six month olds carseat (we are in Aust). Now Rylee will stay rear facing for as long as she is physically able to fit into the seat. I can't thank you enough.
JenandRylee 3 years ago 2
Just wanted to note that the carseat shown in the forward facing video is not very well installed. A carseat should not move more than 1inch from side to side at the belt path.
kimmy659 3 years ago
The forward facing seat was properly installed. Seats belts are designed to have some "give" - that is what you were seeing. All seatbelts will do this in an accident.
KrisPBG 3 years ago
O the forward is probably tight to the less than 1in rule! this is how a crash impacts a seat!
ambie52311 3 years ago
it is not the belt i am concerned about but the harness on the dummy was way to loose i know seat belt shave some give but the harness does not! This is why Latch is recommended over the seat belt there is less give.
swtgi1982 2 years ago
I already know the importance of ERF. I am adding this to mine and my husbands myspaces pages so people will stop questioning why my 22 pound 14 month old is rear facing.
bruin98 3 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Get the pacifier out of that kids mouth so she can learn how to talk.
lahahalucy 3 years ago
Lol, she stopped using a pacifier when she was 18 mos, however the pacifier never inhibited her speech. she's almost three years old now and has a very advanced vocabulary for her age.
EthanMadison0310 3 years ago
Please, my daughter had a binky until she was almost 3 and never had a problem, was speaking in complete sentences by the age of 2, it's not like they have it in their mouths 24-7, come on...
kidrepair 2 years ago
Thank you for making this video. I plan to keep my 11 month old son rear facing for as long as possible and it is great that you are getting the word out. Can I ask what program you used to make the video?
kristinpardy 3 years ago
Thank you! the program I use is Windows Movie Maker.
EthanMadison0310 3 years ago
I was looking forward to turning my little one around at 1 year. But someone told me about recommended 30 lbs limit. My research took me to this video. Now Ciena will remain rear facing.
ginnylouwho 3 years ago 3
thanks for the info, I will now keep my son rear facing after he turns one. Thank GOD Madison is OK....I didnt think it was going to end good. OH thank you thank you thank you
ilovemop 3 years ago 2
what about front and rear end crashes?
foldedintobeauty 3 years ago
Frontal & frontal offset crashes account for about 72% of crashes. Rear & rear-offset crashes in only about 4%. The rest are side impacts where RFing is also safer. Typicly frontal crashes happen at higher speeds and normally rear end impacts happen while 1 vehical is stopped or moving slowly. Google something called "ride-down time" too.
For these reasons, it is best to protect infants against the crashes which are by far the most common and most severe.
houseofblue 3 years ago 2
My daughter was rf'ing at about 21 months when we were slammed from behind on the highway- she was FINE thank God. Don't forget also, that many times, when you are rear ended you are then pushed into another car in front of you for a subsequent frontal impact. It is still safer.
nicefix 3 years ago
Thank you for this video! At the moment I am trying to tell other parents not to buy seats which do not allow rear facing transportation for children under 4 years. The newest guest in our car is the HTS Izi Combi X1 :)
Sagittaria2 3 years ago
I love that you made this video. I think many parents see it as some sort of right of passage to turn their infant forward-facing on their first birthday. As a CPS Tech, I see it A LOT. And even after explaining the immense benefits of extended rear-facing to these parents, you wouldn't believe the excuses they give me to keep them forward. Geez, it's your child...you secure them the way they are safest. Boo hoo if it's a little inconvenient...you'll really "boo hoo" in a crash.
happybakergirl 3 years ago
thx i got 2 show dis 2 my parents
whath3fL1P 3 years ago
31 months 31 lbs 38 in and still rear facing.
mom2anna 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
facing fowards after the 11 mont period,...
gusto1978 3 years ago
The portion of the car seat that is not next to the seat normally moves a LOT more than the crash test shows. IT looks like it is attached at the base of the car seat to the front of the chair. I know they also show the car seat hitting the back of the seat in front. I wish they would show a conv. van like ours...we have at least 2 feet between the top of the rear facing car seat and the seat in front of it. What's best in our situation? Our "under 35 lb." child is 23 mo. and 23 lbs./34 in.
rszatkowski 4 years ago
The crash tests show a seat that is braced (pushed into front seat) & tethered to minimize movement. In the US, only Britax convertibles & the SK Radians can be done this way.
Most US seats cannot be tethered when RF & will rebound (move toward the seatback) in a crash. So yes, there will be more movement than shown here, but it is safe. A correctly installed & used RF seat is safer than a FF seat.
My first son was RF to 3 yrs, 8 days old & his brother is still RF at 22.5 months.
SamPaceyJoshua 3 years ago
Thank you for this!!!!!!
amusn 4 years ago
This video may save lives!!! Thank you so much!!!!
goodiegetter 4 years ago 2
amazing video. i will certainly do that. i have a 7 and 1/2 month old at home. she's so cute. i got the link to your vid from my mommy message boards at whattoexpect dot com. the may 2007 boards.
Mom2Aurora 4 years ago
why IS the test dummy's head taped down in the rear facing... i just watched it again after seeing that comment below...
axelsson8080 4 years ago
to quote what awaagen said below,
"They aren't taped down, those are sensors that detect the different forces that occur in the crash. They are present on the Forward facing ones as well, just harder to see."
EthanMadison0310 4 years ago
well, i obviously did not see that explanation, but thanks how do you know that though.
axelsson8080 4 years ago
Lol,Sorry, that wasn't meant to sound bad, I was just giving that person credit for their response. I'm not a CPST, so I'm probably not the one to ask, but I've also seen these sensors on many different crash test videos, whether it's facing forward, rear, or if it's a booster. I think it's just easier to see in that particular clip because we're looking directly over it. :)
EthanMadison0310 4 years ago
Thank you.
A car seat safety technician convinced my son's father today that our son is "safer" forward facing than rear facing (how I had it) in his seat that forward faces to 35 lbs (our son is 21 lbs). The tech turned the seat around. I have emailed your video to his father.
You did a service by posting this.
mandynee22 4 years ago
THANK YOU.
Pinkydinkydo 4 years ago
Amazing video!
MorganandEedna 4 years ago
Why is the test dummies head tapped down in both RF tests?
araeslaughter 4 years ago
They aren't taped down, those are sensors that detect the different forces that occur in the crash. They are present on the Forward facing ones as well, just harder to see.
awaagen 4 years ago
great video! Just today I turned my almost 4 year old FF. He didn't mind that his legs were against the seat back.
kaelancer 4 years ago
Wow! This video is great! I'm actually new to U-Tube - I was scouring the net to track down good video-clips regarding travelling rear-facing (I'm Swedish)- I'm in the process of introducing seats to NZ that can rearface to 25 kg (55lb) so have a huge task of educating the NZ public. Can you please tell me if videos like yours is permitted to be saved and shown outside U-Tube? Credit to you for putting such an awesome video together!
CathNZ1 4 years ago
Thanks so much for this video. I'm turning my seat back around.
luvr4ula 4 years ago
In my short ER career, a 1 year old child is now paralized from the neck down from forward facing car seat. This child was big enough to face forward by current standards.
In a separate incident an older child didn't want to be buckled into her booster seat, her mother gave in because it was just a short drive, and she was killed while fastened into an adult seat belt at age 6.
erRN2 4 years ago 2
If that's a Graco Snugride, then it is ok to leave the handle up. At one point we had a small car and the only way we could fit the seat in was with the handle up.
motherindie 4 years ago
Just a note to those asking for the handle to be put down: Madison wasn't in the car when these photos were taken, and the handle was always down when she was in the car. While it isn't required for the handle to be down anymore, I just don't really like seeing it up, either, Lol.
Madison is no longer in this seat as she's just turned two years old, on the 16th of September. She is still rear-facing though, in a convertible seat.
EthanMadison0310 4 years ago
Thanks everyone for the comments! I'm glad everyone is finding this video useful!
EthanMadison0310 4 years ago
Graco no longer requires that the handle be in the down position for transport, so having it up IS following manufacturers directions. As a CPST, firefighter, and paramedic, I share this video with at least five or six people a week. This is one of the BEST informative car seat videos out there. Congrats and thank you for your efforts.
awaagen 4 years ago
Thank you for this wonderful, informative video. Madison looks just like my baby; it had me in tears.
sylves1 4 years ago
I was shaking after watching this video. I have turned my 2 and a half year old back around. I have also made it a point to mention it to all of my friends.
corwin56 4 years ago 2
i would like to add that all rear facing car seats should also be used with the carrying handle DOWN..
i know it's nice to have the bar with hanging toys but the car seat does not work properly with the handle up. the handle stops the seat from cocooning to protect the child from flying objects etc.
Tamarron5 4 years ago
I was trained (as a car seat technician) to believe this also, but at a recent technical teleconference I learned that instructions vary. Graco Snug Ride allows "position A" for rebound protection.
onebyron 4 years ago
yes it's VERY important the carrying handle is DOWN it makes me upset when I see parents that just put their kids in the base don't check it was locked asuming that it's in because of the click and NOT putting the handledown please plase put it down
xoxobekahoxox 4 years ago
i also wanted to take the opportunity to say if u ever witness an MVC, u should never move anyone in the vehicles unless they r in eminant danger of being hit by other vehicles or if the vehicle is on fire. if children r involved and u absolutely must move them than try taking them out WITH their carseat to prevent further injury.
medperson1 4 years ago
im a paramedic and i have seen it first hand, the difference in injures suffered by children in FF carseats compared to those in RF facing are not even compariable. RF are less likely to be hit by flying loose objects in the car on impact thus less blunt force trauma.
medperson1 4 years ago 2
Great video and message!
To the poster re: legs, don't worry about them. Kids are flexible. My son stayed RF until 2 years 10 months when he got too heavy. Never an issue with his legs. Check out the RF page at cpsafety dot com for pics and info.
raceNzanesmom 4 years ago 2
what do you do when their legs get to long ??
summertimefairy1973 4 years ago
Great Video, very educational.
childsafeactiveuk 4 years ago
In Australia most seats are rearfacing to 9KG,nearly 20 pound. Some newer seats 12kg,26.5pound.This is MAXIMUM weight our seats hold rearfacing. My girl Toni died, she WAS using a belt that was LEGAL. We are fighting for safer LAWS. our 5pt harness seats only go up to 18kg (39.5 pound).
click on my name to see videos I made to raise awareness in Aus on child safety. google "belletoni" for a foundation we set up to stop what happened to my daughter happening to other children.
leanneperry 4 years ago 3
GRAMMY here and i'm so impressed with the video. JACK, my grandson will be rear faced as long as possible. thank you and madison
connitha 4 years ago
My wife has been sharing this with everyone she knows with infants. She also works for a Parenting Website and has this video highlighted as a must see. Thanks for this video!
sircliff 4 years ago
I just added your video to my myspace!! I'm doing my part to help spread the word too!! :-)
ImRealNotPerfect 4 years ago
Thank you SOOOO Much for doing this video!! I never knew this!! This video has been going around our parenting boards, and been the big discussion lately! lol My twin boys are 18 months old, and 27.5# now. Just tonight, at 11 pm, I was out turning their carseats around so they can be a lot safer next time we're out and about! I never knew I had a choice! I thought... you just turn them around at 20# and 1yr old! I have passed on your video to all our friends who have little ones too.
ImRealNotPerfect 4 years ago
In Sweden it is common for children to ride rear facing until they are 3, 5 or even 10 years old. The injury/death statistics (I saw a Sweden/France comparison) is about 10:1 in favor of rear-facing seats.
RedBodb 4 years ago 2
get a Recaro child seat...They are the companies who also make racing seats for race cars.
Dieselhead1 4 years ago
Actually, Recaro doesn't currently make any convertible seats. They have a convertible seat (2 different versions) coming out in June, but their current seats are forward-facing only.
SamPaceyJoshua 4 years ago
You showed exactly why my 18 month old is still Rear Facing in her car seat. She will till she is too big for our seat to RF.
tynormem 4 years ago
gracias por tu info !!
pacovideos 4 years ago
Cool video :) i love the song and my nephew is 7weeks old and yea still taking on ur advice :)
davinmr 4 years ago
I had no idea that so many experts recommend that babies be kept rear-facing for as long as possible. Thanks for making this video, and I'm no longer so anxious to turn little Brady around!
sunnibaker 5 years ago
I watched Kyle Milller's video and his accident was sort of the same thing. what is diffrent is he was facing forward, and if he was facing backwards i wonder if when is car continuesly rolled over if facing to the rear could have saved his life not sure but i am sure that by makinng this video you have saved many lives and you shuold be proud.
cheezweels 5 years ago
Kyle was 40lbs when his accident occurred so he would not have been able to be rear-facing. The issue was he was in a booster seat with a seatbelt. The seatbelt failed. Our foundation, the Kyle David Miller Foundation, promoted rear-facing for as long as possible as 5 point harnessing for as long as possible - 80lbs.
kcmillerfamily 4 years ago 2
I think if it were my child, I'd keep him/her facing the rear of the car for as long as possible. It does seem like the safest position.
However, I feel that when it's time for that child to go home to be with our Lord and Saviour, nothing will keep that child from Him.
babyduck023 5 years ago
You are saving children's lives with this video! THANK YOU!
BipSmith 5 years ago
Thank you for this video. My 18 month old is still backward-facing today and I will not turn her around until she has reached 33 pounds (weight limit).
LJ92075 5 years ago
24 months and STILL rear facing!
LJ92075 4 years ago
so even with 5 point harness toddler seats you should still have them rear-facing? i don't know how to install that!
chantistar 5 years ago
It should be a convertible seat that is approved for rear-facing as well as forward-facing use. If a seat is only approved for forward-facing use then it should not be installed rear-facing. If you have a convertible seat then instructions on how to install it rear-facing should be in the instruction manual for the seat. Also, it's always a good idea to get seats checked out by a certified Child Passenger Safety Tech at a carseat check. They can show you how to install it if you're unsure.:)
EthanMadison0310 5 years ago
good news. after watching kyle's video and yours i went to my morning carseat inspection appointment today and she made a few adjustments, and gold me some things i was doing wrong like letting my daughter where her huge jacket, and having things in the back that could fly around. for now, i feel 90% safe with her FF, but when i get around to buying a britax or changing our cosco RF, i'll still be nervous :-/
chantistar 5 years ago
you have given me something to think about my son will be 2 on dec 24th and weighs about 25lbs he has been forward facing since he was 10 months old but after seeing that i am considering turning him back around that is very scary and a big eye opener
heansa 5 years ago
That's great that you are considering turning him back around!
EthanMadison0310 5 years ago
i turned him around yesterday and am very happy about it! once again thank you for this video...i also know of another child that is being turned around because of it...you making this video will most likely save a childs life
heansa 5 years ago 2
Wow ,thank you! That's wonderful! I'm glad people are turning their kids back around because of it, that's great to hear. :)
EthanMadison0310 5 years ago
Thank you for making and sharing this very important message. I have forwarded the link along to the parents I know.
bombedier 5 years ago
Thank you! I'm glad you've been passing it along. :)
EthanMadison0310 5 years ago
So is Madison still rearfacing? Did your sister take the message to heart?
maureenfh 5 years ago
Oh, Yes! I should have updated everyone. Madison is still rearfacing. :)
EthanMadison0310 5 years ago
Thanks so much well done I am keeping my son rf for as long as I feel I dont care what anyone says HE IS MY BABY,, this is a great video please keep passing it on..
ljsmommy7 5 years ago
I too turned my daughter forward facing at 1 year old...then I became a certified child passenger safety technician when she was 16mo old. I left after the first day of class and turned her back RF.
I would MUCH rather her have a broken leg than a broken neck! And, it's always important to get your child's seat inspected by a certified technician.
CPSMom 5 years ago 2
This is a really good video! I loved it.
StephanieYoungers38 5 years ago
Thank you everyone for all of your wonderful comments. It's great knowing that this video helped you make the decision to keep your children rearfacing longer. :)
EthanMadison0310 5 years ago
Thank you for making this video. There are so many parents out there that have no clue about car seats and what is best for their child. Just because the law states at one year and 20 pounds you can turn your child forward-facing doesn't mean you should.
treasurehiding 5 years ago
thanks for making this! I turned my 3 year old daughter around shortly after her first birthday. But after seeing this I will be keeping my eight month son rear facing for a whole lot longer. thanks again!
madamegs 5 years ago
THANKS! Until I sent my husband the link to this video, we had argued for 9 months over whether or not to turn the carseat around at 1 year. (In the RF position it pushes the front passenger seat so far forward he can't sit there.) Now we hav emoved on to arguing over whether to buy a 2nd car or replace the current small one with a bigger one.
etidwell 5 years ago
Etidwell, The seat does not have to be at a 45 degree angle when your baby is old enough to hold their head. Therefore your rear-facing carseat WILL fit. You can go see your local CPS Tech. They will help you install the carseat more upright so it will fit better.
lovinwaves 5 years ago
Our carseat was intalled by a CPS tech when our daughter was 5 months old and we were told at that time that the more upright position was for FF. But I will definitely check -- we have a new carseat for Grandma's car and I'm taking her to learn how to install it from an expert.
etidwell 5 years ago
Look at the number of comments saying they'd rather have their kids break a leg in a RF carseat than risk "a broken neck". If your kid is at risk of a broken neck, go buy them a carseat that's the right size... the direction they're facing is less of a concern.
IOIOOIIOIO 5 years ago
A child is more at risk of a broken neck in a properly installed forward facing seat than they are in a properly installed rearfacing seat if they are within the weight requirements and their head is within 1 inch of the top of the seat. While there isn't any real concrete evidence that suggests rearfacing causes broken legs, they can be repaired. A broken neck can cause death or paralyzation.
EthanMadison0310 5 years ago
But no one is advocating misusing a rearfacing seat. All convertibles on the market rearface up to at least 30 pounds, which is at least age 2 for most kids, which gives the spinal column a chance to develop properly to protect the spinal cord from the tremendous forces associated with a frontal or side impact crash.
joolstag 5 years ago
A carseat that is the right size IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE DIRECTION THEY FACE! purcyou have questions on the type of car seat to purchase for the size of the child, contact a Certified Technician. You can go to "www.safekids.org" and find a tech in your area!
CPSMom 5 years ago
The bones in the neck do not solidify until between 1-2 years of age. That means in a crash with that child FF the bones will stretch but the spinal cord does not which is results in a broken neck.
emcamm 5 years ago
Actually, there are more cases of broken legs in a ff crash than rf. In a rf front on crash the child's legs are thrown up towards their head, or up and to the side in a side on crash, so are not likely to hit the seat back at all. I've only heard of two anecdotal cases of broken leg in a rf crash compared to many in ff crashes where the legs hit the seat in front...
cathwn 3 years ago
cont. A broken neck has NOTHING to do with the size of the seat. It's due to internal decapitation caused by the head been thrown forward and the spinal cord snapping. A child's head is significantly disproportionately large when compared to that of an adult, hence why they are at more risk of internal decapitation when ff than an adult.
cathwn 3 years ago
All else being equal, RF is probably safer than FF.
However, a properly installed FF is probably safer than an improperly installed RF.
It's good to get the message out. It's not so good to use misleading apples and oranges crash clips...
IOIOOIIOIO 5 years ago
The comparison was between two properly installed carseats in rearfacing and forward facing positions. Chances are if someone's rearfacing seat is improperly installed then their forward facing install will be wrong as well. If people don't care enough to read their carseat manual or take them to a car seat inspection, that's a different story entirely.
EthanMadison0310 5 years ago
The FF carseat in the crash clip moved far too much for me to think it was installed correctly. Comparing an improperly installed FF carseat to a properly installed RF carseat is going to look pretty dramatic. Inaccurate, but dramatic.
What's the source for those clips?
IOIOOIIOIO 5 years ago
Legally, a head can fly forward up to 32 inches from a point behind the seatback without a top tether. Get out a tape measure, you'll see that's quite a long way. It' looks more dramatic than it is, and ALL carseats look like that, even when top tethered, in high speed filming of that nature.
joolstag 5 years ago
Those were clips of actual crash tests which require the seats to be installed to manufacturers standards. Both seats were installed correctly. A correctly installed ff seat has a lot of "give" and allows the body to be thrown forward significantly. Using a top tether on the ff seat is not allowed for crash testing as the seat must pass without a tether. Having a tether would stop the seat going forward as much but it increases the load on the neck and spine so doesn't make the seat any safe
cathwn 3 years ago
Are you a certified car tech?
Here in Canada it is proven that it is safer to have the seat tethered and it is illegal not to have the seat tethered. The car seat in Canada must pass using a tether (which is why many car seats are not available in Canada that are available in the States due to the fact they don't meet Canada's strict standards)
LifesSoSweet 3 years ago
Sorry, my comment is in reply to cathwn
LifesSoSweet 3 years ago
While the main point is well-made, I do have to agree that one of the final deciding factors in a crash is whether the child seat was installed correctly. It isn't just about bad parents vs good, even the "good" parents can install a car seat improperly, after reading the manual, and think they got it right because things look right once it's all put together. Also, sometimes the people at the inspection sites are unsure themselves of the best way to put in the car seat (personal experience).
erythisis 5 years ago