(I know the chest clip is not high enough in this picture!)
I don't know...maybe I'm opinionated. I really didn't think I was all that judgemental about mommy things. All I'm blogging about is what we are doing with Skittle, not trying to push any agenda or lifestyle on anyone. Cloth vs. disposable diapers? Do what works and what is easiest! Formula feed? Breast feed? Do what you feel is right for YOU and your kid...who cares? Yeah, I know breast feeding is best but shoot sometimes you just can't do it. (I'm a PRIME example!) Vaccinate your kids-or don't, it's UP TO YOU. Making all your baby food from scratch? Good on you! All I ask is that you do your own research and make your decisions based on that. BUT, one thing that I do care about is a rear facing carseat! It is the safest way for a kid to ride! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends your child be at least two years old now to ride forward facing. Yes, I know that the LAW is still one year old AND at least 20 lbs but my skittle has not hit the 20 lb requirement and even if she did, I've seen too much research (all you have to do is Google rear-facing carseats...you'll see what I mean!) that says rear facing is by far the safest place for my child. Why wouldn't you want your kid to be safe??!?!? I'd rather have my child break her legs (rear-facing) then her neck (forward-facing) in a severe crash. Obviously, the reason I'm writing this is because someone challenged that idea and it irritated me enough to write a short blog on my feelings.
Some of my research:
-Rear-facing car seats spread frontal crash forces over the whole area of a child's back, head and neck; they also prevent the head from snapping relative to the body in a frontal crash.
-Rear-facing is safest for both adults and children, but especially for babies, who would face a greater risk of spinal cord injury in a front-facing carseat during a frontal crash.
-Rear-facing carseats may not be quite as effective in a rear end crash, but severe frontal and frontal offset crashes are far more frequent and far more severe than severe rear end crashes.
Rear-facing carseats are NOT a safety risk just because a child's legs are bent at the knees or because they can touch/kick the vehicle seat.
Rear-facing as long as possible is the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatricians, and can reduce injuries and deaths. Motor vehicle crashes are the #1overall cause of death for children 14 and under.
There are a ton of videos out there showing a crash impact difference of a child who is rear facing vs one who is forward facing. That evidence alone made up my mind. She won't know the difference between the two until I turn her around! Do your research before you start spouting "we turned her forward because she just didn't look comfortable" or "my doctor said it was OK." Why would your doc say it was OK now that the recommendations have changed? Mine specifically said not to turn her until she was two years old! Humm...gets my blood boiling!
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