Our car seat journey

Car seats. They matter. If you know me, this is nothing new. I've been rattling off about car seats since I exited the womb, no? Not quite. It seems that way, for sure, but I haven't always "known my stuff."

In the past I've been told more than once that I'm "A know it all." And while I wish I knew "it all" about child passenger safety, I don't, I never have, and never claimed to have. I am passionate about child passenger safety because I have a love for all mankind, and God's put it on me to pray for all babies and children, and I've come to realize that car seat misuse is almost entirely due to miseducation; not parental apathy.

I wanted to create this post to show you that I'm human. That I didn't know it all. But when I *did* "see the light" I didn't react with anger. I didn't lash out. I listened. And I am so grateful that at some point, someone pointed out my mistakes so that I could correct them and make the changes I needed to make as a parent to keep my child safe.

Here's Joel at 3 days old. Already out and about, on the way to the pediatrician. (And jaundiced, at that.)
As you can see, there's a JJ Cole Bundleme installed in the car seat, adding bulk between him and his harness. In an accident, this would could compress and cause him to fly into his harness at high speed, which would cause considerable damage to his extremely fragile body. In addition, his harness is WAY too loose, and his chest clip is too low. I'm inclined to think I fixed it when I got in the car, since I do recall habitually loosening the harness to more easily remove him, but I won't lie. It probably was not significantly better in the car. No one ever told me that clip was supposed to be level with his armpits (And it probably didn't help that all the photos I have ever seen of babies in car seats had the clips on the abdomens.) I DID read my manual, but not thoroughly. At least the seat itself was installed properly in my car.

Here he is a week or so later, and his harness is so loose he is sticking his hand under it.

This photo was taken in October, so he's nearing his first birthday. Still fitting in his infant seat (5th percentile kid that he was) and I clearly haven't learned (and no one has bothered to point out) that his chest clip needs to be on his chest.

At this point, it was time for a "Big Boy Seat". But luckily mama had read up about the benefits of extended rear facing (I believe based on a signature picture on a forum urging moms to keep their babies rear facing, that I had seen when I was pregnant. I knew early on that babies didn't need to be turned forward on their first birthday; thank heavens!

Since this is a mobile upload on facebook, it even has a caption warning everyone that the straps were too high and the chest clip was too low, and that I had just snapped the photo when he first sat in the seat before it was properly adjusted. So methinks at this time, I finally knew the "important stuff."  Unfortunately, I bought this seat because it was adorable, and because I loved my Quinny Buzz stroller and this was the closest thing. Knowing what I know now, I probably wouldn't buy from Dorel Juvenile again (just my own preference.) and I REALLY should have done research before shelling out $200 on a convertible seat. It's specs probably weren't great, and the straps were ALWAYS twisting.

In May of 2010, we were hit from the side by a driver on a cell phone. J laughed through the event, and was safely cradled in his seat, rear facing. I had whiplash, and J was totally fine. Though the car wasn't in great shape afterwards and the seat was compromised (Thankfully I knew about this too at this point!) so I invested in a used Britax Marathon. That seat expired a few months ago, and I was sad when I had to take a hammer to it. Knowing what I know now, I personally would not buy a used seat again except from someone in one of my tech groups, where I can be ensured the seat was properly cared for and the straps were never washed.

The Marathon was an awesome seat and installed well and the HUGS made the straps a total breeze. never a twist, ever! I knew its lifespan was ending soon, so the christmas of 2010 I invested in a Sunshine Kids Radian 80SL. I really wanted to go for the XTSL for the side impact protection, but I did the best I could with the budget I had, and I really don't have regrets. The 80SL is a great seat and I have no problems fitting it in my car, S's car, my parent's car, or a friend's car. (Unless they have kids, that complicates it :) )

After the accident my "car seat freak" status skyrocketed, and I told everyone who'd listen about the importance of keeping children rear facing. i wasn't often successful, and I certainly lost the respect of peers. But I knew I wanted to be a tech, so I had a platform to say the things I said and to make a difference. I ordered this super-cool decal for my ride and proudly sport it to this day.

So by this point, J is almost 3, and people surely think I'm totally insane. And that's ok :)

One of the things I hear most often is "How does a 2 year old fit rear facing?" "My kids were way too big by 1, they could have never rear faced." "Where do their legs go?"

I don't know ladies, this handsome stud looks pretty comfortable to me. And he's got plenty of legroom, thank you very much.

So our journey is coming to an end. By this point, I am a full blown self proclaimed car seat fanatic. I care deeply about child passenger education and wish everyone had the knowledge I have been lucky to glean so they have the tools to keep their children safe.

So here is he. 3 1/2 years old, comfortable and happily rear facing in his Sunshine Kids Radian 80sl. It has a rear facing weight limit of 45 lbs, so he's got 14 lbs to go. And as you can see, he's still got 2 harness slots, and I know we'll easily get another year if not 2 before height becomes an issue.
(As you can see, his bud N has finally outgrown HIS radian by height and soon after made the big switch to forward facing, after delaying the switch until absolutely necessary due to height)

I hope you've enjoyed our journey. I hope you see that I'm not this heartless arrogant "Car seat nazi" who thinks I'm better than you because of the car seat or position my child rides in in the car. I'm not better than you. I've made HUGE mistakes that could have been deadly. And I am so grateful that someone was brave enough to teach me the right way to do things so that I can keep my child safe in the car.

Rear facing is 500% safer than forward facing. Forward facing babies and toddlers are 75% more likely to be killed in a car accident. Car seat safety isn't something to be taken lightly. PLEASE read your child's car seat manual. PLEASE do lots of research before buying your child's seat. (You'll save yourself a lot of greif and $$$$) Don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. Please don't let your pride prevent you from keeping your child safe in the car.

Have your install check by a Child Passenger Safety technician.
And join Car Seats For The Littles on facebook to get answers to ANY car seat question you could possible have. :)