From: anonymous@freenet.Buffalo.EDU
Subject: Which way to face a baby
Posted-By: xx104 (Pediatric Moderator)
Organization: Organization For Community Networks
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 1995 15:39:59 GMT
Newsgroups: ofcn.clinic.pediatric

My 5 month old just turned 20 lbs. Her pediatrician says face her foreward. I understand getting her out of her all plastic car- rier seat and into a plastic and steel car seat because she's so big (27+ ins, 20+ lbs) but isn't facing rearward safer? In an older child one might face them foreward to minimize fussing about getting in the car seat all together, but at her age my daughter doesn't care, foreward or backward.

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Answer from Roger A. Forden, M.D.

The simple answer is that your child's height and weight, rather than age, usually determine which seat to use. Your 5 month old is much bigger than many at that age, so you should use the toddler safety seat, which is designed for children weighing 20-50 pounds. A toddler safety seat faces forward, and crash forces are absorbed by belts inside the seat. You may need some extra padding around the baby to prevent her from sliding down (toweling might work). The best location for the seat is in the rear seat of the car.

Do not use any seat manuf. before 1982, and make sure the seat is federally-approved, with the words "Meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards" marked on the outside of the package. Your pediatrician probably has a list from the American Academy of Pediatrics which displays all brands of approved seats.

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