Friday, May 9, 2008

LIFE IS SHORT, BUY THE CAR SEAT!

Okay so I decided to bless you with another post tonight. So be sure to read the one below (about Ryleigh). This one is about YOU and YOUR CHILD. Did you know that your child can ride facing backwards after they are one year old? Do you know when it is safest for your child to be in a booster seat? Well there are very few things in life that I am anal (for lack of a better word) about concerning Ryleigh and children in general.

Car seats do it for me.

The world in general has so many resources out there, and so many people do not know what the safest thing is for children today. Just because a pamphlet or department says its okay to turn your child around forward facing at 20 pounds AND one year. DON’T DO IT! Extended rear facing is becoming more and more popular in today’s society. I’ve heard all the excuses, especially with Ryleigh – she has long legs, you need to turn her so she can see better, you can reach her better if she forward faces. Uhh, no is the answer to all of the above. Ryleigh will be ERF (extended Rear Facing) until she is 34 lbs, the maximum on her car seat. This is one of the reasons we went for this car seat, it is one of the higher weight limits on the market with RF. Ryleigh sits ‘Indian style’ so her legs are not cramped (and studies show that children who are forward facing and legs dangle that their legs fall asleep), She doesn’t know what ‘see better’ is because she has always looked out the back window with no arguments!, If I can not reach her RF I will stop the car, I rather have a safe child than one who can see or reach better!

I’ve attached some links, go listen, and watch the videos, read the reports!

Booster seats are also something people do not understand. They think that just because their child can sit up its time for a booster seat. What people do not realize is that “graduating” from the smaller seat to a bigger one actually decreases the safely of that child. Using a five point harness until a child is 4’9 and 80 lbs should be standard. Please watch the videos. Read on kyledavidmiller.org it’s a foundation started by a family who had two young children in identical booster seats, one survived a crash, the other did not. The only difference is Kyle's seat beat did not stay fastened, his sisters did. A five-point car seat could have saved his life. Yes, Ryleigh's car seats (the one in my car and the one in JB's) were expensive, (HOWEVER there are cheaper versions and foudnations that help you purchase better car seats) but we get in the car each time we put her in knowing she is going to be as safe as she possibly can be -- and that the money we spent on car seats, may one day safe her life, and that is not something we can put a price on. BRITAX Marathon (goes up to 65 lbs) BRITAX Regent (goes up to 80lbs).

Rear Facing Info

Kyle David Miller Foundation

Kyles Video I wanted to post the video here, but i have to have it on my computer. Here it is on youtube.

4 comments:

The Partins said...

I hope you all are feeling better!!!!

Nicole Roberts said...

THANK YOU for this post!! I saw it a few days ago but really just sat down and read all the links tonight. We are getting ready to purchase carseats and this was such VALUABLE information. I have shared the link to Kyle's video with my close friends and family.

Stephanie Rider said...

I think that we're both obsessive about this. :) Austin is enjoying his Regent and I just got Logan a Marathon since he's outgrown his carrier (at 5 months). The Evenflo Triumph Advance is another great high weight limit convertible that's around $60 cheaper than the Marathon. We're going to use Austin's for preschool carpool next year. You wouldn't believe the things I've seen dropping Austin off at preschool. Some people just don't realize the danger they're putting their kids in.

The Partins said...

Yep... we got one, today. Woo hoo! :-) I can't believe my little one is already out of her infant car seat!!!