The Great Car Seat Switch
She's happy to be forward facing too!
This week marked a major milestone in the life of Joshua – we finally turned around his car seat! We didn’t make it as long as I had hoped we would with him rear facing, but it was time to make the switch. And everyone is happier for it.
About a year ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics came out and recommended that children remain rear-facing in their car seats until the age of two, instead of until their first birthday as they had previously recommended. And so, when Joshua turned one, we dutifully kept him rear facing. He didn’t know that turning around had ever been on option, so he was (mostly) fine with it.
Then we went to Utah in August to visit Chad’s family. He spent so much time in car seats and stroller there that just the sight of any form of restraint made him madder than anything. That was fun. But, his anger wasn’t directed specifically at the direction of his car seat – he hated any restraint. So, he remained rear facing.
Over the last few weeks, however, he had become increasingly unhappy when buckled into his seat. He really wanted to face forward like his big brother and sister. He was also getting too tall to be rear facing. His poor little legs didn’t come anywhere close to being able to stretch out, which couldn’t have been a fun way to ride.
So, over the weekend, Chad made the change. The first time we put him in the car, he was so excited! He laughed and started pointing everything out. He could look out the windows and see things. His seat is more upright forward facing as well, so he feels more like a big boy.
I wish that, for safety reasons, we had been able to keep him rear facing for longer. I don’t miss the fights to buckle him in, though. And he can now stretch out his legs. I think everyone is happier.
Is your little one still rear facing? If not, when did you make the switch?
