rear facing IS comfortable

So many people tell me toddlers can't be comfortable rear facing and that is why they turned them forward facing before the limits of the carseat (the recommendation of the AAP and CPSTs, and the safest way to travel).

Does he LOOK uncomfortable to you?!?!?!

Sam is 2 years old, 25 pounds, and 32.8 inches tall.

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Tags:

• carseat
• family

[Rosecity26]

I agree with keeping your children rear facing as long as the car seat recommendations allow, however I don't think Sam is the best example for how a two year old can be comfortable rear facing as he is on the small side. My 1 year old son is 23lbs (keeping him RF) and average size on the charts. We turned out daughter around at 1 year per the old guidelines, but I don't think she could have made it to two years old as she is pretty tall(dad is 6'8" and I'm 5'9"). I wish they would make recomme

[queenriley]

@Rosecity26 I think even tall kids can make it to at least two, if not older. There are seats on the market now that will rear-face to 45lbs. They have tall backs to accommodate. Height isn't so much important as weight. It all boils down to torso height. If a tall child is all leg and no torso, they can fit in a seat longer than a short child that is all torso and no leg. Sam made it to four years old in the small Britax Marathon. 

[kittycat4925]

Okay you got him when he is sleeping big deal. Two year need naps. That doesn't mean me he is comfortable. Ask the kids. Sitting RF you have no interaction with the rest of the people in the car.

[queenriley]

Actually, he's forward facing now (at 4, he went over the weight limit) and asks all the time to go back rear-facing because it was more comfortable. His legs fall asleep now because they dangle.

He also had plenty of interaction with other passengers. He could clearly see his sister sitting next to him. He could easily hear my voice and speak to me. It's not like he can see me in the front seat even now forward facing. There are seats blocking his view.

[XXKimberlyDangXX]

I have 3 boys, ages 3,2& newborn born on 7/15/08. Sould i put my two olders one RFacing?

[queenriley]

Depends... how much do they weigh and what seats are they in now? I would strongly suggest turning the 2 year old if he's small enough. The 3 year old would be safER rf, but is still safe in a forward facing harness.

[KatMomof3]

this is a great video... I love it... and yes, rearfacing IS comfy... my kids all rearfaced to the limits of their seats, though those limits sure changed during their lives... my oldest's convertible seat went to 22lbs rf... then my younger's to 30, and then by the time my daughter was born, I had one that rf'd to 33 and her spare went to 35lbs.

In sweden, children routinely rearface to 55-65lbs... America needs to catch up!

[MrsNF1990]

My daughter is 9 months old, 29 inches, and 19lbs. She will be RF until she reaches the weight requirement, which I believe is 35lbs on her carseat, I'll have to double check though. My main reason is because at the moment we only have a truck with a front seat. She RFs in the passenger seat, airbag off, and the truck does have the anchor things which we use. We plan to have a car with a backseat before even thinking about turning her forward.

[NJmama1]

I agree. RF for as long as possibe. Not all kids are as comfy as yours though. Some get motion sickness, scream and are just plain miserable the entire trip, which decreases the concentration level for the driver.

[jsrcamp]

@queenriley I know what you mean, i have a 4 year old daughter and she wanted to be RFing again especially after I had her baby sister. she was refacing till she was almost 3 years old but she got too tall for that seat so now she is in the Graco natulis and complains all the time that she cant see over Daddys head but she can sorta see over mine=) but she loved ERF and now if somebody else puts her in her seat and doesnt do the chest clip correct she will sit their and cry till its right=)

[illicitaucks]

@queenriley ooopsie!!!! SO very sorry!!!! that comment was meant for the kitikat comment.....not you.

So sorry and I love finding all these RR parents out there!! :)

[illicitaucks]

@XXKimberlyDangXX Yes Yes Yes!!!! Swedish kids face the back untill 5 or 6 and they have ave one fatality per year....in the US and other countries where it is not mandatory it is over 50% fatalities per year!!

I know which I would choose!

[illicitaucks]

@queenriley You are ignorant and have no idea what you are talking about....whats more people might actually listen to you and even more children will die. My 4yrold is tall for her age and still loves rearfacing!! she has faced forward and her hanging legs get pins and needles and she cannot sleep properly because FF is so upright....I also RR my 2 yr old and I plan to rearface untill at least 6 yrs of age! If your child were to say mummy my seatbelt is hurting can not wear one would u say yes

[ameliaandalice]

@388Penguin388

My daughtr is 11 months and even though her feet don't touch the seatback yet she crosses her legs in the car. You don't have to position their feet, they will do whatever is most comfortable for them.

[robabner]

My 28 lb 3 yr old daughter was just turned forward only because her Britax Marathon would not RF next to newborn Graco Safeseat. If we get a different car she will turn back to RF.

I love when people tell you there kids didn't like sitting Rf'ing, my question is always how do they know any different?

My response to a few smart ass people who have questioned my ERF'ing is I must love my kids more than you love yours!