Forward- or rear-facing?

Hi Dubaicat I had the same dilemma when switching my daughter up to the next level car seat. In the end I ordered a rearfacing seat from Sweden (off the website you mention below) and even with shipping it worked out the same price and buying a forward facing here in Dubai. My daughter is 21 months and she is happy in the seat with a mirror, in fact she loves looking at herself and having conversations when she get in these days!! I ordered the Britax which I am really happy with as they are ok in mid-sized cars upwards. If you have any questions email Hakan at carseat.org he is great and answered all mine when I was wondering which seat to choose. The tether straps are a bit fiddly to begin with but once you get it installed once it makes the seat rock solid. We also have a Maxi Cosi forward facing seat (it was a hand-me-down in great condition) as back up that we use for travelling. I decided it was a bit much to do all those tether straps if you are just hopping in a taxi from the airport on holiday. I figured that I am happy if she is rear facing 99% if time especially here in Dubai. Re the legs - my daughter is short so we dont have a problem now but yes the legs just bend up as they grow. But if you think about it sitting crossed legged when you are a child is more comfortable that having your legs just dangling down, espeically if you are on a long car journey. Good luck with your decision! PS - my daughter happily goes from forward facing back to rear facing after our holidays. She just knows that in Dubai thats how she sits!

Hi Ladies I had the same debate when picking our next car seat on from the Maxi-Cosi. I trawled the internet for weeks looking for answers and finally found a UK website which sold the rear facing seats and had very helpful customer services. The website is http://www.securatot.co.uk/ and the lady I had extensive email queries with was called Kirsty. She sent me a link on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Zwsyvx9ow) which showed you how the rear facing seat installed in the car so you can actually see it fitted. You also have the option of going to their showroom and having a look if you have the chance. I finaly opted for a rear-facing one as the accidents I've seen since been in Dubai have been more horrific than I have experienced elsewhere. Everyone drives like they're on some kind of racing circuit and their is a blatant disregard for rules and saftey in general on the roads. In well over a decade of driving in the UK I have never experienced anyone speeding up my rear at over 80mph and flashing at me when they're a foot behind me to move out of their way. However, this seemed to be a regular occurence over here which scared the life out of me on more than one occasion. There is plenty of leg room for the child as the seat is not up against the backrest as the maxi-cosi is. My 16 mth DS is very happy in his and the seat itself is very padded and comfy. It's high enough so he can actually see out of the window and watch the world go by. I also have a mirror attached to the headrest at the back so we can see each other during our travels which is great. The seat is heavy, around 18kg if I recall correctly, but Kirsty was grteat and even added extra padding as I said I would be taking it on a flight to Dubai. My DH at the time was travelling to and from the UK alot so was able to bring it over with him. It is the Isofix version and installation itself only took about 5 minutes after watching the video. The only downside of the seat, that I can think of, in our car is that it slightly restricts the leg room in the passenger seat of our Jeep. Not a problem for me, and even DH is comfortable, but if anyone 6 foot or taller were to sit there they would struggle. Hope this helps a little in your quest!

How about this: http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/13/6/398.abstract Basically the study says that children in forward facing car seats are five times more likely to be injured in an accident. That said, the next stage car seat I would be would be a convertible car seat so I have the option to move DD forward when the time comes. I kept DD1 rear facing until she was about 22 months, but she absolutely hated and as a result car jouneys with her were horrendous! Just nit-picking here, but that study is conducted based on children from 0-23 months. For me, it's a complete no brainer that infants under 9 months should be in rear-facing because they can't even support their own heads in normal circumstances, let alone in a crash situation. I'd be interested in the same study based on children from 9 months to 4 years, which is the next car-seat up. Anyhow, that's just "out of interest" - it's clear that rear-facing is safer, but as I said earlier, choosing a forward-facing car seat is still a perfectly safe move and parents who do so aren't failing to protect their children adequately.

How about this: http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/13/6/398.abstract Basically the study says that children in forward facing car seats are five times more likely to be injured in an accident. That said, the next stage car seat I would be would be a convertible car seat so I have the option to move DD forward when the time comes. I kept DD1 rear facing until she was about 22 months, but she absolutely hated and as a result car jouneys with her were horrendous!

well, you know, it's not like you'll be paying double the price for the extra "novelty", so I'd say go for it. I hope that none of us have to test the safety of our children's car seats the hard way, but if you feel that it's a step above the average and you feel happiest going for what you think is best, then absolutely. My only thing is to mitigate by saying that front-facing car-seats are still good and do still save lives (just in case anyone starts panicking). In fact, one of my friends had an articulated lorry crash into the back of her car (not at high speed, thank goodness, but the car was still a right-off) when her toddler daughter was in her (front-facing) car seat. They all had to be cut out, and my friend suffered bad whiplash, but her daughter had nothing at all.

http://www.carseat.se/rearfacing/rear-facing-basics/ This is the site I've been looking at to buy a seat from. I need to find out just how much of a difference it actually makes, though - like you say, H.A.K, if it's one per cent or one in a hundred thousand. That's interesting. The only halfway proper comparison is their "rearward facing children’s car seats reduce serious injuries by 92%, while the forward-facing seats only reduce injury by 60%" which is compelling, no doubt about that. I'd like to see a comparison for their "only 9 children died in rear-ward seats" in a 5 year period with the number of children who (sadly) dies in front-facing. We all know how numbers can be presented differently to demonstrate different arguments. If 10 (say) had died in front-facing... or 73... or 2... all very different. In any case it's rather academic. The brand mentioned, Britax, is very reputable. Just having a very quick reccie on UK sites it's pretty widely available and at £240-odd, it's on a par with other seats of similar standard. I think we paid about the same for our Axiss.

presumably the wings would be designed differently? have never actually seen one of these older child rear facing numbers!

Sandfly, you're right - of course. The thing is, I think one can think too much about this. OK, it's important, but for example, how do the side-impact airbags that some cars are now fitted with impact on the car-seat? I give myself nightmares trying to imagine impacts in slow motion (sometimes I do!) and you know, those airbags are designed for specific seating arrangements - just like you know you shouldn't have a rear-fitting car seat in the front seat when that front seat is fitted with an air-bag (unless you disable it) because in the event of a crash, the airbag would inflate and push the seat forcibly back up against the back of the seat. Side airbags... well, with a rear-facing seat, the child would get it directly in their face, wouldn't they because the now-usual "wings" that help deflect such an airbag wouldn't be in the right place? I don't know. Again, I'd be interested to see some stats because it's a different story if we're talking about a drop by 1%, 1 per thousand or 1 per hundred thousand.

ok, am i being thick? Where would the child's legs go ifyou were to get a rear facing seat? My dd is 6mo and her feet are already touching the car seat. Have i got major baby brain and im not understanding?? That's another bit I don't get. Well, yes, there is that too... although a good line from my health visitor was "it's easier to mend broken legs than a broken head". Personally, I can't see it being very comfortable for older children. And that brings me on to the next point - what age/ weight does this 'ere seat go up to? I know it's rubbish putting a price-tag on it, but realistically, are you getting noticeably more value for money than for a front-facing *just as safe* car-seat? If it's noticeably more expensive, that is. If it's not, then get it. If you feel happiest with it, then get it. If you feel it'll work best for you and yours, then get it. I kept my two in their rear-facing seats up until they reached the weight limit for it (go by weight, not age, because the seats are tested to be safe up to the weight limit stated) and then moved them to front facing because that was what was on offer and there's absolutely nothing wrong with front-facing. In fact, I spent some time choosing the Axiss because it swivels 90 degrees so that you can get bubs in and out really easily. Rear-facing is important when they can't support their heads properly, but heck, if the simple measure of being rear-facing lowered fatalities so much across the board, why don't car manufacturers change their seating layouts? It'd be interesting to see some figures on this one to compare. the legs bend. And rear facing seats are safer in general; largely because wherever you are hit from, the car you are in is unlikely to be reversing at speed, whereas it may well have a lot of forward momentum. If you are facing backwards, you are pushed back into your seat, and the force is spread across your back and the back of your head - if you are facing forward, all of those forces are basically taken by the seatbelt, and the bits of you in contact with the seatbelt - and your head is inclined to slam forwards and backwards, especially if you have the relatively large head of a toddler. However, cars are not designed solely for maximum safety (otherwise we would all have five point harnesses and rear facing seats for all non-drivers); nor are most other forms of transport. It is not a bad idea at all to research which the safest seats are..... they aren't all 'just as safe' but the ideal is possibly unattainable; all depends where you want to draw your line.

ok, am i being thick? Where would the child's legs go ifyou were to get a rear facing seat? My dd is 6mo and her feet are already touching the car seat. Have i got major baby brain and im not understanding?? That's another bit I don't get. Well, yes, there is that too... although a good line from my health visitor was "it's easier to mend broken legs than a broken head". Personally, I can't see it being very comfortable for older children. And that brings me on to the next point - what age/ weight does this 'ere seat go up to? I know it's rubbish putting a price-tag on it, but realistically, are you getting noticeably more value for money than for a front-facing *just as safe* car-seat? If it's noticeably more expensive, that is. If it's not, then get it. If you feel happiest with it, then get it. If you feel it'll work best for you and yours, then get it. I kept my two in their rear-facing seats up until they reached the weight limit for it (go by weight, not age, because the seats are tested to be safe up to the weight limit stated) and then moved them to front facing because that was what was on offer and there's absolutely nothing wrong with front-facing. In fact, I spent some time choosing the Axiss because it swivels 90 degrees so that you can get bubs in and out really easily. Rear-facing is important when they can't support their heads properly, but heck, if the simple measure of being rear-facing lowered fatalities so much across the board, why don't car manufacturers change their seating layouts? It'd be interesting to see some figures on this one to compare.

ok, am i being thick? Where would the child's legs go ifyou were to get a rear facing seat? My dd is 6mo and her feet are already touching the car seat. Have i got major baby brain and im not understanding?? That's another bit I don't get. That makes me feel better!! lol!!

ok, am i being thick? Where would the child's legs go ifyou were to get a rear facing seat? My dd is 6mo and her feet are already touching the car seat. Have i got major baby brain and im not understanding??

From what I've read, it's to do with what happens to their heads and necks in an accident - their heads are proportionally too big for their bodies, so their necks can't take the strain of whiplash injuries typically seen in RTAs. So even though the forward-facing ones are European standard, they aren't as safe as rear-facing seats. Does that sound right? That's my understanding of it, but I still don't get why there aren't more options in the UK. Am I over-thinking it? Surely if it makes that much of a difference to fatality rates they'd be more popular and widely available? DH says what happens if we're hit from the front - it'll be the same as being hit from the rear in a forward-facing seat. Just to confuse the issue. edited by DubaiCat on 08/03/2011 I think, in short... yes, you are over-thinking it. As long as you are securing your LO in a weight and age-appropriate, good quality and properly-fitted seat, then you are doing all you can to mitigate the effects of an accident. And that's all any of us can do. There are unfortunately some crash fatalities that no number of seat-belts and airbags can prevent. Oh, and make sure there's the side-impact support "wings"... all the more important if your car has got rear side airbags. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 08/03/2011</em>

rear-facing is always safer, but not always practical. I can't think of any other reason why it's not more popular. Anyhow, all car-seats in the UK meet European standards and so are "safe". For your LO's age, buy one with a 5 point harness - in fact, keep them in a 5-point harness for as long as you possibly can. I've got a BebeComfort Axiss (think it's been taken over since I bought it, so not the same brand, but same name) that is fab, but will only take my 2 barrel-chested Brits up til the age of about 2.5 (I think it's strictly speaking up til 18kg) and a can't-remember-what-brand one for £35 from Toys'R'Us which is absolutely fab and takes them from 9 months up til 11yrs in its various forms, including a 5-point harness for as long as you can.

I had DD in (her original) rear facing car seat for ages; she was on the petite side so there was no rush to move her up.... until she started throwing up pretty much every time she was in the car, at 20 months or so. Which she promptly stopped when she went forward facing. So though I know where you are coming from I am glad I didn't splash out!