Quick carseat question

[StrawberryFields]

For a 1.5 year old who is greater than 20 lbs, which is safer:

1. Rear facing on the passenger side
2. Forward facing in the middle

The car is a 94 Ford Escort.

There is no other. These are the only options.

Thank you!

[CynicalStar]

If the child is still within the height limits of your carseat to be rear-facing, then I'd stick with RF on the passenger side.

In an accident, the RF baby on the passenger side may get a little more banged up from a side impact, but the RF position could prevent a life-threatening spinal injury/death. A FF baby in the center might be less banged up overall, but still end up paralyzed or even decapitated.

[ThreeBeans]

Rear-facing hands down

[Tilia]

Rear facing

[Mirzam]

Rear-facing no contest. Even more so if the FF seat is not tethered.

[bobandjess99]

RF is ALWAYS safer. Period.

Although I'm confused as to why RF in the middle is not an option? I'm assuming because you just can't get a good install RF, right? Have you have a good certified tech lok at the issue? I am a tech, have a 92 escort, and I can get a great install in the center RF with every seat I have ever tried. But perhaps the center seat is different in the 94 than the 92? If you have not had a tech look at it, I would certainly recommend that. If not, go with RF on the side.

[dallaschildren]

Rear facing. To get your seat inspected: www.seatcheck.org or call 1-866-SEAT-CHECK.

DC

[StrawberryFields]

Thanks everyone! I need quick answers because I was going out with my mom today and she bought a car seat so we could take ds out with us in her car. I could see merits to being in the middle and merits to being rear facing and didn't know which would be safest in this particular situation. We went with rear facing passenger.

Rear-facing in the center isn't an option because the driver's seat would have to be pulled up too far for my mom to comfortably drive.

Thanks again!

[MissSavannahsMommy]

Originally Posted by StrawberryFields

Thanks everyone! I need quick answers because I was going out with my mom today and she bought a car seat so we could take ds out with us in her car. I could see merits to being in the middle and merits to being rear facing and didn't know which would be safest in this particular situation. We went with rear facing passenger.

Rear-facing in the center isn't an option because the driver's seat would have to be pulled up too far for my mom to comfortably drive.

Thanks again!

Just an FYI, you don't need the 45' recline when you're dealing with a child who has head support (I don't know if you did that in the car, but most parents aren't aware that you can increase the recline after their children gain adequate head and neck support).

It's okay to RF his seat and recline it anywhere between 30 and 45 degrees. That might help with the whole "eating the dashboard" situation

[libranbutterfly]

For a 1.5 yr old, the recline can be only a 30 degrees angle, then maybe your mom would still have room? I don't know if you tried that, and it is too late now, but maybe for next time

[MissSavannahsMommy]

Originally Posted by libranbutterfly

For a 1.5 yr old, the recline can be only a 30 degrees angle, then maybe your mom would still have room? I don't know if you tried that, and it is too late now, but maybe for next time

: I said it fiiirrsssttt, neener neeener nnnnneeeeennneeerrrr : just kidding!!!

[StrawberryFields]

Thanks for the recline tip! I did know that but I didn't try it today. When I set it up like that in our car we still have to pull the seats up pretty good so I figured it would be just as bad in my mom's, which is an even tighter fit. Maybe we just have a bulky rf carseat? (Graco ComfortSport)

On a side note, it was my first experience with a carseat in a two door car--wasn't THAT a big mess around!! Thank goodness for 4 doors!

[libranbutterfly]

Originally Posted by MissSavannahsMommy

: I said it fiiirrsssttt, neener neeener nnnnneeeeennneeerrrr : just kidding!!!

My baby distrasted me, so it sat here for a few minutes waiting to be sent Cheater.