Rear facing is best!! TRUE STORY

[luv2bfishin]

PLEASE, for your childrens sake, consider leaving them in REAR-FACING (RF) car seats as longs as you can. Although it is "suggested" by many people and organizations, that you can turn them forward facing at 1 yr / 20 lbs, and seats are made to accommodate that, it doesn't mean they will not be subjected to cervical spine injuries in an accident. Sure, it'll hold their body in place, as it did for my grandson. But their head is thrown violently forward!! Actually, if you do your homework, front facing children "75% more likely to be injured" in a crash ( http://www.carseatsite.com/rf.htm ).

I am Grandpa, and here's my personal view. My 18 mo old grandson, Joel, was injured in a front impact car crash 4 weeks ago. He is a "beefy" boy, weighing in at 34lbs and about 39" tall. According to his mom, the doctor told her it was "okay" to put him in a front facing car seat, because he was a "big boy". So she did. And he was securely strapped in the rear seat. The car hit a tree, for reasons unknown, at city speed limit of approx 35 mph.

At the accident scene, the EMT crew took Joel out of the car while in the car seat and all, and transported him to the hospital. They had to "bag" him at the scene to restart his breathing. The true miracle is that the ambulance was driving by, and some people flagged it down. They didn't even get time to call 911. You can bet God had his hand in that!!! they were on the scene in about 60 seconds!!

Below are some photos of Joel, before and after. YOU decide whats best for your child.......not anyone else!!! He sustained dislocated top 2 vertebrae in his spine (C-1 & C-2). Some of the doctors put it in very simple terms...his skull became detached from his body, and was basically held on with his skin.

In the last few weeks, I've scoured the internet to find these facts:
* a young child's head is approx 25% of his/her bodywieight. If that were true of adults, my head (I'm 220lbs) would weigh 55lbs! as it is, an adults head is only about 6% of their body weight. So, kids are very top-heavy.
* Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland recommend rear facing until 4 yrs old
* look on You Tube at the crash test videos of front facing vs. rear facing. you'll be amazed.

YouTube - Crash Test - Forward vs. Rear Facing

* if a young childs spine is "stretched" a 1/4 of an inch, it could result in total paralysis or death.
* and this is amazing! There was an article published in Pediatrics (the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics) earlier this year that states: ""A recent analysis of the protection provided in rear-facing compared with forward-facing car safety seats has revealed that children under the age of 2 years are 75% less likely to die or sustain serious injury when they are in a rear-facing seat.2 This finding was true regardless of direction of the crash, even those crashes with side impact, which typically are the most severe."

"Parents may be helped to understand the importance of using the convertible car safety seat in the rear-facing position longer than 1 year if they are counseled that children are 5 times safer than when riding in a forward-facing seat into the second year of life."

After hearing about that, I contacted the AAP via email, and asked what their position is on this issue. Their response was "While this was published in the Academy's journal, it does not necessarily constitute AAP policy" and "Because riding rear-facing does provide significantly more protection to children's heads, necks, and spines, the Academy does recommend it for as long as possible, but the only minimum we have set is 12 months/20 pounds. This policy statement is under revision but is current at this time."

The policy statement is under revision.... at this time??

Do you're home work folks!!! Oh, and you'll also find out that in the USA, rear facing seats only go up to about 35lbs. In Europe, whose testing standards seem to exceed US standards (Consumer Reports: Daddy Types Was Right About The Car Seat -- Daddy Types ), the RF car seats can be purchased up to 55 lbs. AND, made by the same manufacturers as in the US.

So, the question is, why can't we get them?? And don;t worry about legroom. check out these larger RF seats: NMs eget bakovervendtgalleri - NybaktMamma - Møteplassen Sure, they can break a leg in a violent crash, but I think bones are easier to fix than a broken neck!!! Heck, it's better to mount a portable CD player in the back window shelf and let them watch it, then to risk their life!

But the BIGGER question is for you to decide.

I know this is a very long blog, but if it saves one child...or one family, the agony of what we've endured these last 4 weeks, it is worth the read!! The pic's below are about six weeks apart. he was eating cake by himself....very cute.

And now, he is is headed for intense physical therapy. he does move his fingers and his legs, but he doesn't pick up his arms. The therapy people are very optimistic, given the movement in his extremities. Doctors believe it was some compression of the shoulder nerves from the car seat straps. Again...front facing!!

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat. Ready to buy a Convertible car seat? Please support our sponsor!

[Papooses]

Your post may very well be the most important post in the forum -- during certification training we are taught that crashes are the leading cause of death for children, but also that death is merely the tip of the iceberg....

My father is a past president of the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists. I grew up in his patience care facility, befriending survivors of crashes: usually children who suffered severe injuries and/or permanent disabilities (both cognitive + physical).

You have brought to life all the stories I remember. I wish you a safe, healthy, happy journey & I admire your strength to reach out to spread awareness. Since we are relatively close to each other geographically, I do hope we can establish a working relationship to tackle this issue together

[MnMadhouse]

It is so heartwrenching to see a child go through what I went through 11 years ago. My C1 and C2 vertebrae were broken in a side impact crash. A drunk driver slammed into my drivers side door going between 65-70mph (estimated) and there were no brakes. The Jaws of Life were used to extract me from my vehicle. The drs wanted to do a fusion surgery on me, but I was sooo hesitant. I was 20 years old and would walk about with a stiff neck for the rest of my life...it scared me. BUT what scared me even more was the fact that the broken space between my C1 was large enough to move a small finger through freely. They debated about a HALO, but said I would still likely have to have the fusion surgery. My microneurosurgeon was PHENOMENAL with me. He ended up offering up the SOMI brace (which isn't feasible at your grandson's age). I wore it for 164 days, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It was by a miracle (so says my dr and myself) that I actually healed from my broken neck. One of the people that inspired me to do more for spinal injuries was Christopher Reeve. He and I had a 'bond' with our injuries. I was blessed enough that I didn't have any paralyzation.

I have used my first hand experience to talk to people about ERF. I did so with my child until he was a little passed 2 years old and outgrew seats in height and weight If I were in a financial position, I would import seats from other countries to keep my children RFing as long as possible. I, too, desire the capability of keeping children RFing as long as possible. My almost 6 y/o asked me all the time if she could 'face backward' and I desire it as well!

My heart truly goes out to you, Joel and your family. My family and I have been in your situation and it is painful. I will keep Joel in my prayers for healing and restoration.

One praise I can say is that I have NO side effects or problems with my neck. Of course, I won't be going out for the US Gymnastics team anytime soon, I can still do all the things I love.

	Extended Rear Facing extended rear facing--Carseats and some states laws require your child to be rear facing until 1 year AND 20lbs. The new recommendations are to rear face your child to the weight limits of your seat, 30, 33 or 35lbs.

[KatieNK]

Thank you for posting this. I am so sorry about your grandson, he will be in my prayers

[AdventureDad]

Thanks again for your great story. And thanks also for including the video I made in your post. I (subjectively) think it shows the difference between rf and ff very clearly.

Best of luck with your grandson!

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

[jodibug]

Thanks for sharing your story with us. I am using it to help spread the word on other forums.

[lenats31]

OMG, I am SO sorry for this. I learned about you and your grandson on Nybaktmamma.no. Someone there told us about you. Have you gotten an RF seat for him yet?

Best whishes

Lena

[treehugginhippie]

Thank you for posting this. I was thinking about getting a ff carseat for my 4.75 yr old but I think I'll keep her rf one we have until she outgrows it or it expires.

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

[luv2bfishin]

Hi, Grandapa here!

First off, I'd like to thank all the people who have sent well wishes and prayers for Joel's recovery!!! THANK YOU ALL......so much!!

I also know, due to the hundreds of responses, and the fact that almost 9000 people have read this blog.......that ALOT of kids won't ever have to suffer this tragic injury!!

Joel's halo was removed saturday , and a custom fit plastic collar put on. Boy...you never seen a happier kid!!! He's raring to go. He's sitting up ALL the time, walking constantly with his therapists...up and down the halls, for a couple hours a day!!

he still has a few slight problems. His arms are still responding slowly, with limited movement. That was due to the shoulder injuries from the harness (brachial plexus injury). also, new developement with his lung / diaphragm. Seems a particular nerve (phenolic nerve) that comes out of the neck and goes to the diaphragm isn't working 100%. Your diaphragm helps your lungs to inhale and exhale, and if it doesn't work, it can lead to collapsed lung and/or pneumonia. But, he's doing okay. We're focusing on "blowing" excercises. I went out and bought all kinds of blowing things, like bubbles, horns, party favors (roll-out things when you blow them), pinwheels. He'll get through it, I'm sure.

So, I've attached a photo of Joel without the halo. Enjoy, and thank you all. The prayers have paid off!!

Oh, one more thing. I am very, very close to putting out a video regarding RF vs FF .....keep an eye out.

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

[luv2bfishin]

Hi all, Grandpa here! Still pounding away at the huge benefits of extended rear facing of children.

Many of you may have seen the original posting. It involved my 18 month old grandson who broke his neck in a front facing car seat. If not, here it is again: Rear facing is best!! TRUE STORY

The video is finished. It is posted at a website: joelsjourney.org Home
I can't seem to upload it to YouTube yet, waiting to hear back from them.

On one page of the site there is a compilation of links regarding rear facing, that I determined were some of the most compelling articles on extended rear facing. I reviewed a ton of information.

Some are short reads, while others are very in-depth. One of the most interesting is the actual crash data report . Real accidents, real results.

After reading the many articles and forums, there is still one thing that sticks in my throat. The pediatricians who say to forward face at 12 mos / 20lbs! This is wrong. My advice is to ask that pediatrician "what is the current position of American Acadamy of Pediatricians (AAP) on front facing"? Most will probably have to go look it up....if they can even find it! Well, here it is:

" Children should face the rear of the vehicle until they are at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 lb to decrease the risk of cervical spine injury in the event of a crash. Infants who weigh 20 lb before 1 year of age should ride rear facing in a convertible seat or infant seat approved for higher weights until at least 1 year of age.3,4 If a car safety seat accommodates children rear facing to higher weights, for optimal protection, the child should remain rear facing until reaching the maximum weight for the car safety seat, as long as the top of the head is below the top of the seat back."

By the way, Joel is doing really great. He's in a plastic collar now and doing his physical therapy. But his arms are still a concern. His hands work well, but he can't lift his arms when there are hanging at his side. But he's walking around like he owns the place!

Wishing you all safe travel through the holidays.........

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat. Ready to buy a Convertible car seat? Please support our sponsor!

	Infant Car Seats Infant-only rear-facing seats are for babies up to about 22 to 30 pounds, depending on the specific car seat. You will need a new seat when your child gets bigger. Infant-only seats have handles that allow you to move the seat from the car to the house or other locations. Some have a base that you can leave installed in the car, so you can just click the car seat into place each time you use it. Ready to buy an infant car seat? Please support our sponsor!