The debate over using rear facing car seats has become a common one, while some mothers shout about the need; others are oblivious to the dangers and recommendations.
The advice of the Government is that if you turn your child forward facing when your baby is 9 months old you are putting their life at risk. In other European countries, children stay rear facing until they are 4 years old, and the new US recommendation is 2 years old.
Are you using the correct car seat to keep your baby safe?
Group 1 car seats that are rear facing are 5 times safer in a frontal collision.
It has been recognised by a range of accredited experts, including the British Medical Journal and ANEC, that rear facing car seats are up to five times safer for children
• Many experts recommend that children should be kept in Group 1 rear facing car seats until the age of four
• It is the legal guideline in the Nordics for children to be rear facing until the age of four
• The fatality figures for children under six years of age during a car collision are twice as high in the UK compared to Sweden
• However, 70% of UK’s parents are unaware that Group 1 rear facing car seats exist
• They can only currently be purchased from two high street retailers
• Many car seats manufacturers do not supply Group 1 rear facing car seats to the UK, whilst they are supplied to the rest of Europe
Facts – With thanks to Rear Facing Motors
What are your views when it comes to rear facing car seats?
About The Real Supermum
bloody hell well i never knew that :/ thats shocked me , we dont have a car but was thinking of getting a carseat incase we need to use someones car , deffo food 4 thought now, thank u xx
I have never seen a car seat suitsble for upto a 4 yr old rear facing
Don’t know if you’re putting them at risk but I was glad when I could put my lil girl in a front facing car seat ..
1. She was cramped as it was in the rear facing car seat, she wasn’t comfy at all.
2. If I was sat in the front I could see her clearly.
3. She’s a nosey parker and likes looking out the window where she couldn’t do it in rear facing seat.
But yeah didn’t know that group 1 rear facing seats existed. If it was the actual official law they had to be rear facing til they’re 4 of course I would do it. x
I found rear facing more dangerous the straps aren’t strong enough and the base was unsafe and moved about also my LG by 6 months her legs touched the back so how can a child older be comfy? Mine has a forward facing now it can sit up or lay back, The straps are bulky and strong and the base is very safe I’d much prefer these
I didn’t even know you could get next stage rear facing if im honest!
I didn’t know that! But how can children of four be comfy rear facing? I also wouldn’t like to not be able to see my son properly while we’re driving if it was that dangerous, surely the law would be changed?
Defo food for thought what about leg space if they are rear facing that’s the only thing that I’m thinking is against this after watching the video it’s scary
I didn’t know these existed. But Due to the size of Sidney and his length he was so squashed up in the little rear facing one. He much prefers the forward facing and so do I as I can make sure he is alight at all times etc. He used to just start choking when he was little and getting him out of the seat was such hard work i was so worried i would never be able to do it in time but now if it happens its just quick and easy. I could not Imagen a 4 year old in a rear facing car seat. How uncomfortable it must be with no leg room xx
i Idnt know you could get a rear facing car seat for a 4 year old. Saying that have you seen the size of 4 year old? Cant imagine that being safe tbh.
Before I upgraded my daughters car seat I fully researched into what to get for the best from a safety and comfy view point.
http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/types/index.htm This website covers it all!
As my daughter is quite long, she was really squished in her baby car seat but at not quite 9 months and not quite the recommended weight before she went into the ‘Group’ car seat ranges for her safety, I was prepared to wait that bit longer …
Think about this before you are tempted to change from baby seat to ‘Group’ seat even if you think your lo’s legs are squished up – in an bad car accident it will be easier to repair their little broken legs than to fix their crushed chest or even head.
The recommended age and weight combination before they go from baby seat to ‘Group’ seat is so that their head, neck and chest muscles are stronger to take an impact from a crash. Younger or lighter than the recommendations, and the strength in their little bodies just isn’t there to cope with the ‘jerk’ reaction that happens on impact.
You can get rear facing mirrors that attach to the back of the rear passenger seat so you can see your baby /toddler in their rear facing car seat whilst you are driving …
The rear facing Group seats are bigger and have higher bases so your nosey lo’s can happily see out of the window …
If your lo’s car seat moves about AT ALL when it is anchored in either on an ISOFIX base or anchored in by using the car seat belt, then it is quite likely it is not fitted correctly or is not right for your car (not all car seats fit all cars!) and yes, you are therefore risking your babies safety.
Apparently the laws on booster seats (the ones that are just a base that literally raise the toddler / child up) are changing next year. Don’t quote me on this but I vaguely remember it will be that they are banned and all booster seats have to be of the ‘chair’ variety.
Before you buy a car seat, go to your local Halfords (and no i dont work for them nor do I know anyone who does lol), and chat to them about it. They are regularly trained, refreshed and have a pretend car seat in all stores so that you can put your child in any of the car seats they have on display, in a ‘car’ situation and you can see for yourself how they work, how much room your lo has got and whether it is suitable for you and your needs. They will also NOT sell you a car seat if your lo does not meet the age and weight criteria.
Some of you may need a seat that is easily swopped between multiple cars – yours / dads/ nannys/ child minder … some may need a seat for a sports car … some may need a seat that swivels around so you can easily get your child in and out of the car if you have a bad back … Everyones needs are different and everyones make of car is different and it is vital that you check that the car seat you like does actually fit your make of car or that it is a universal baby car seat
And whatever you do, do not put your baby / child in the front of your car (air bags CAN go off even if you have turned them off!) or buy a second hand car seat unless you are 150% guaranteed that it has not been in an accident, no matter how minor.
Personally, I would rather my precious lg be in a rear facing car seat for longer if it is proven that it is safer for her. For the record, no I havent got a rear facing car seat for my now 1 year old. That sadly came down to cost at the time. I’ve got a Maxi Cosi Axis that swivels and enables me to get my lg in and out of her car seat with ease – no matter how ridgid she goes
It was fitted by Halfords and hasn’t been out of my car since.
WOW!!! I did not know this, I have an 8month old who weighs 21lb so heavy enough for a front facing seat, she got too big for her rear facing one so put her forward facing, think I may have to look at a new carseat, does anyone know where I can get one big enough for her
that video has really shocked me though i cant imagine my lo being in a rear faced seat now shes 19m old and is extremely tall for her age. i think there should be more info about more clearer and also more carseats available in that group xx
Don’t know if you’re putting them at risk but I was glad when I could put my lil girl in a front facing car seat ..
1. She was cramped as it was in the rear facing car seat, she wasn’t comfy at all.
2. If I was sat in the front I could see her clearly.
3. She’s a nosey parker and likes looking out the window where she couldn’t do it in rear facing seat.
But yeah didn’t know that group 1 rear facing seats existed. If it was the actual official law they had to be rear facing til they’re 4 of course I would do it. x
(posted again)
i would rather my lo be cramped and survive a crash tbh the seats are so expensive though x
That has shocked me