Update on AP child...or should I say parent lol

[Lee-Bee]

Now a days most of the infant carry seats are rated for up to 35pounds and a pretty high weight limit. They work until age 2, on average sometimes even age 3. Not sure if that seat was, but most are fine to keep using. There legs are perfectly safe rear facing even if very squished. Research data shows there is very, very minimal risk of ever injuring the legs in a crash.

I would think (hope) most families stop carrying the kid in them long before then though. After the kid is past the newborn stage the seat can stay in the car and be used like any other rear facing car seat.

[bright sparks]

Now a days most of the infant carry seats are rated for up to 35pounds and a pretty high weight limit. They work until age 2, on average sometimes even age 3. Not sure if that seat was, but most are fine to keep using. There legs are perfectly safe rear facing even if very squished. Research data shows there is very, very minimal risk of ever injuring the legs in a crash.

I would think (hope) most families stop carrying the kid in them long before then though. After the kid is past the newborn stage the seat can stay in the car and be used like any other rear facing car seat.

As I mentioned though this isn't a weight issue at all. His legs are hanging out dramatically and regardless of weight there are height restrictions and there should be at least 2.5 inches between the top of the head and the top of the car seat otherwise it isn't safe. Rear facing seats are always the safest option but not in a stage 1 car seat in the case that a child is hanging out of it. A multi way car seat, rear facing is dramatically better. I would hazard a guess that most people only think about weight with their car seats not height of the child. Really the issue I take is the fact that I have to parent the parents in the safety of their child. If during our discussion they had mentioned any of what you said as being the reason for him still being in the seat then it would have been fair enough, but they didn't. Even if the weight and height is within guidelines for any car seat, improper use can have horrific consequences in the event of an accident which is definitely the problem here.

[Fun&care]

I am so glad the parents changed their tune and the child is doing better. The Mexican food excuse followed by the concussion comment would have really bothered me though. As for the car seat I know some ppl who leave their kids in car seats far longer than they should and they actually do it on purpose because of "safety". I understand, and heck I had to do the same with my DS because he was tiny for his age, but there definitely comes a point where the child is obviously too big/ too long for their seat and they need to move up. Legs being squished or hanging out cannot be comfortable for the child. Not to mention that I personally could not wait for the kids to be forward facing so I could actually see them better and they also felt less "left out".

I totally get that you feel you are parenting the parents. It sucks when they just don't seem to have a clue overall.