my freind has a 6 month old baby and is putting him facing forwards a doctor told her that he thinks its not safe for a baby to face backwards because he has seen a baby that got his legs broken by being backwards. but i think their have been more studys that show that a baby is much safer backwards until the age of one and is over 20 pounds.
2006-09-13 13:27:35 · 8 answers · asked by silverdiva 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
http://www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm
just about everything you need to know about car seats.
2006-09-13 13:37:20 · answer #1 · answered by bored at work 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Infants should always be placed facing backwards in an approved carseat until they weigh at least 20 pounds AND are at least 1 year old. Until that point, their neck and back muscles are not strong enough to withstand the lashing effects of most motor collisions, and can be decapitated as a result (even without hitting their heads against anything!!) If your friend's doctor told her otherwise, she needs to get a new doctor immediately and report this one to the American Academy of Pediatrics. You can look up the facts at their website: www.aap.org
2006-09-13 20:25:53 · answer #2 · answered by Kellye B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A baby is MUCH safe facing backwards. If the car is involved in an accident it can snap a baby's neck or give it severe whiplash, and possible brain injury from hitting it's head if the impact is hard enough...which even at 25 MPH can cause a lot of problems.
2006-09-13 13:32:04 · answer #3 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right a baby is the safest facing backwards until they are 20lbs and over. My suggestion would be to contact your local police station and they might be able to tell you where you can find a car seat safety website. I know here in Illinois we have "baby checks" where you take your vehicle along w/ your child and they show you how to strap the infant in properly.
2006-09-13 16:56:43 · answer #4 · answered by jakesmom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many babies reach 20 pounds well before their first birthday. However, just because your baby weighs more than 20 pounds does not make him ready to ride forward facing. Look for a convertible seat that can be used rear-facing by children who weigh more than 20 pounds.
2006-09-13 14:10:19 · answer #5 · answered by mom_with_twins_in_milpitas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
FireStation, Police Station, Ambulance Company will position her carseat for her along with telling her whats safe and whats not and laws with his age and weight. If the baby is too big for his carseat and his feet are squised into the back of the seat of the car then I can see how he could get his legs broken.
2006-09-13 13:49:35 · answer #6 · answered by tigreria 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a Canadian site, but safety is pretty universal, and it's got pretty clear reccomendations.
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/carseat/choose.htm
2006-09-14 03:53:51 · answer #7 · answered by simplyrelaxinginblvl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.elitecarseats.com/home.jsp This one helped me. I hope it helps.
2006-09-13 13:34:48 · answer #8 · answered by niknac 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋