Rear Facing Car Seats For My Children...

~ Posted on Monday, July 30, 2012 at 5:34 PM ~

Ever since we became a parent in March 2009, a lot of things have to be thought carefully to include the consideration and safety of our children. One such aspect is when we travel in our car. We make it a habit to place our children in a car seat since they are young so that they are used to the idea of being strapped safely in their car seat

Before my hubby bought his current second hand Nissan Sentra car in March last year, we had to rely on our trusty 11 year old Proton Iswara car and our rear facing car seat can only be placed at the front passenger seat... which is VERY DANGEROUS! Firstly, putting a child's car seat at the front is dangerous enough, and then placing it at the passenger side added to the danger risk as well. Of course we are definitely aware of this risks hence hubby worked hard to save and at the same time, we scout for another car with better safety features and one that can accommodate our growing family.

In March 2011, we finally bought our second car (a 5 year old second-hand) Nissan Sentra and yes, this time we are able to place our infant child seat at the back seat. You have no idea how relieved hubby and I were to be able to do this now!

Rear Facing Car Seat

Rear Facing Car Seat

Pictures above of Alyson then at 4 months old taken in January 2012 as we went to Genting Highlands for our short family getaway. As for our first child who outgrew the infant car seat, we got a bigger car seat for him which can be a rear facing or front facing car seat.

Rear Facing Car Seat

Just few days ago, hubby was telling me we should ensure that our children's car seats be rear facing as long as possible. He shared with me a video he watched about the impact to a child during accident for rear-facing and front-facing car seats and based on the research and facts presented, it is worrying to know the risks of not placing our children in rear-facing car seats.

To sum up some of the facts I read online,

** Images credit: http://rearfacing.motors.co.uk/

In summary, with all these looming risks and dangers of not putting our children in rear-facing car seats, the more we are determined to make sure they stay as long as they can in it! And what does my 10 months old girl got to say about rear-facing car seats?

Rear Facing Car Seat
"GOOD!!"

I'm a full-time mummy

 All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research, as your opinions may differ from mine.

** Disclosure: This post is in association with Motors.co.uk. All thoughts, opinions and words are 100 % my own.

Comments (7) -

Carolyn

Yes, I'm all up for it for child car seat. Both mine are strapped to them ever since they were born till now. They've no complains and unlike some kids I see moving freely around inside the vehicle!  

Careen

I too had a baby car seat rear facing in our car.. As both hubby and I just had car accident two weeks ago (luckily baby was not in the car), we both cannot imagine how bad the impact was if the baby left free roaming at that time!!

So now we made sure she's safely secured in her seat everytime we depart, and we tried to convince my parents-in-law to practise that too.. Though sometimes she cries for freedom (we just use pacifier to calm her down), but we still keep her in seat all the time. Luckily she often sleeps in her travel. Smile

[b]Better safe than sorry!![/b]

Jennifer

As for rear facing, wouldn't the little toddler to feel dizzy facing back? I put my little boy on rear facing till he is 4-5months age, thereafter on front facing until now.. he is 15 month age.

catheryn @ PinkBibs

This is a good reminder.  Good sharing Jenny!
Isabelle sits in her car seat, but faces front because that is the only way to keep her occupied and strapped down the whole journey where we are going.  If she sits rear facing, she would be restless, we suspect it could be due to carsicknes and dizziness.  So we have to settle for front facing as it is better than let her climb up and down if unstrapped.

jani

Haiz... I also want to practise this but when I send my gal to nanny have to put her in front since I can't see her and she'll be fussing/scared being alone at the back.

Jenny @ I'm a full-time mummy

Hey Carolyn!
Yes, ours are started right from 1st day. Must get them used to sitting in a car seat else when they grow older they will refuse to sit in it!

Hey Careen!
Thank God your LO is not in the car when the accident happened! And good to know you guys are OK and determined to keep up with this rear facing car seat safety!

Hi Jennifer!
The impact is very bad if LO sits forward facing compared to rear facing as when the car brakes suddenly due to a crash, your LO's head will move forward due to the inertia and their neck will snap because of the sudden stop and speed!

Hey Jani!
Can put a mirror at the back of the car so can see her in rear facing seat? And give her some toys or books to entertain herself?

jani

don't think so. a mirror is also sth dangerous huh. And she's used to it already. I can only pray for safety on road..... haiz haiz

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