She is growing out of her car carrier and right now i can't afford to buy another seat. I have an older 5 point seat i used for my son, but it doesn't fit backwards. I also have a different kind the one where the soft tray comes over their head. That one won't fit backwards either. Can I face her frontwards legally if she is 20lbs? I live in Wisconsin and I'm not exactly sure what the laws are and I just want her to be safe. Please help!!
2006-12-04 10:36:28 · 18 answers · asked by ♥countrygal♥ 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It would be best to check with your local fire department. Not only would they be able to help you with this question, they will also check to make sure the car seat is installed correctly. At least my local fire department did this my my wife and I.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
2006-12-04 10:39:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In basic terms:
* Children must be in a car seat until they reach age 4 and in a booster seat until they reach age 8
* Tiered structure now applies:
o Less than 1 year old, or less than 20 lbs. must be in a rear-facing child seat in the back seat (if so equipped)
o Age 1 to age 4, or less than 40 lbs. must be in a forward-facing child seat in the back seat (if so equipped)
o Age 4 to age 8, between 40-80 lbs., and no more than 4 ft. 9 ins. must be in a booster seat
* The fines remain the same, although tiered for ages 0-4 and ages 4-8
* The exemption allowing temporary removal of a child from a restraint to attend to personal needs has been removed
* The exemption for physical, medical, or body size condition still applies to booster seats and seat belts
Try seeing if any friends or family members have a car seat that you could use or if they know where you can get one that is safe to install rear facing. You can also try the website www.craigslist.org to see if someone has one that you can use and you can perhaps barter for it or buy it for a good price. Also try EBay for a gently used one or see if there are an consignment stores that carry baby supplies. Good Luck!
2006-12-04 19:23:50 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most states have a law stating until a child is 1 yr old it must be in a rear facing car seat. Also the weight is a factor. If the child is over 1 yr then they must weigh 22 lbs or more. Check with your state laws. But buy a child seat that will convert, you can pick one up for $40.
BE safe, and dont skimp on this. Check your laws
2006-12-04 18:41:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
She needs to be BOTH 20 lbs AND 12+ months of age. The longer she can ride backwards, the safer she is. If you don't have a rear facing carseat that she will fit in, find out if there is some way that you can get another one. Maybe from a relative as a Christmas gift? Her safety is worth keeping her rear facing for at least another 4 months.
You could also talk to your Pediatrician. He might have suggestions for places in your area where you could get a carseat cheap or free. Or maybe ask friends or relatives if anyone has one they don't need anymore?
2006-12-04 20:07:08 · answer #4 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lemme tell you what my pediatrician told me. When my son was nine months old, I wanted to turn him to front facing. He was big and his legs were having to bend in the rear facing seat. I expressed a concern that in an accident his legs coud get broken. The doctor's response was, "Better two broken legs than a broken neck." He explained that size is not the deciding factor in rear vs. front facing. Until 12 months, their neck muscles are not developed enough to take the trauma of a severe impact in that position.
Please, regardless of the laws, or even comfort, stick to dafety and don't turn that baby until she's a year old. If you can't afford a new seat, contact local charities, churches, even the department of family services or child welfare or whatever. Call the local WIC program or ask Planned Parenthood for a referral. Contact local anti-abortion support centers. Lots of them will bend over backwards to help a struggling mom- they frequently want to help people with the babies they choose to keep. Try your local freecycle or Craig's List. There will be someone out there who can help you.
2006-12-04 18:44:40 · answer #5 · answered by elsa_bard 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Your best bet is to call local law enforcement. They should have the answer for you. In some states it is different most say if the child is under one year of age and less then 20 pounds you shouldn't face them forward. But I think the local PD should have the answer. Cause if they stop you they will tell you if your baby is seated safely. So if you ask ahead of time they should know. Hope that helps
2006-12-04 18:43:34 · answer #6 · answered by George P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm in wisconsin too :D
The law here is that the child must be at least 1 year old *AND* 20 lbs. I'm sorry to tell you that she still needs to fit in a rear facing seat until then.
2006-12-04 18:54:42 · answer #7 · answered by Melissa J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our local police dept gave us a carseat when we were watching my niece when my other niece was being born. I'd suggest contacting yours to see if they can provide you with something.
The law is 1 year AND 20 pounds, across the board. The longer you can keep your child rearfacing, the better off he or she will be. My son is about a week shy of turning one, and is 24 pounds. His seat (evenflo triumph) will keep him rearfacing to 30 pounds. We're not turning him around until then. It's a hassle, but I won't take chances on my child's life.
If you absolutely MUST turn your child around at one year, consider investing in a Britax Regent for your older son, and a Britax Marathon, Decathalon or Boulevard, or Evenflo Triumph for the baby... the longer you can keep your child in a 5 pt harness, the safer they will be.
2006-12-05 02:20:24 · answer #8 · answered by Jen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is she growing out in length? If she is too long to be facing backwards you can probably face her forward. My sister had my nephew facing forward at about the same age as your daughter (and in Wisconsin too). It is best to keep them facing backwards for as long as possible, but if she's getting too long, you may want to talk to a safety seat inspection site, Wisconsin has a safe kids safety seat program--your pediatrician shoukl be able to get you info, that's where I got mine from. They sell seats and they may have deals on them too. Hope this helps!
2006-12-04 21:05:51 · answer #9 · answered by lori_a_esser 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
im facing the same situation with my son but hes 10 months. i was out lastnight looking to buy him another carseat and i saw serveral convertable seats from 20-40lbs so i would say yes
2006-12-04 18:45:57 · answer #10 · answered by lamli 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋