A few people have told me that once children face forward in the car, it gets a little easier. They can see you and have a better view of what is going on outside the car. Plus, you can point out different objects to them and turn the drive into a teaching lesson.
So, when can I put Sienna in a car seat? According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the baby should be 1 year AND 20 pounds. Although many babies reach 20 pounds before their first birthday, experts say exchanging the rear facing car seat for a forward facing one is too risky.
According to Dr. Robert Steele, a pediatrician at St. John's Regional Health Care Center in Maryland, "Car seats for infants are placed facing the rear because in a head-on collision the muscles of the neck of an infant are unable to adequately support the head as it violently lurches forward. If the infant were facing forward during a head-on collision, significant head and neck injury could occur even though the baby remained adequately seated in the car seat. These muscles become strong enough at about one year of age."
So, what should you look for in a car seat? Steele suggests getting a car seat that can still be used as a rear facing car seat.
Another good piece of advice? "Try on" the car seat before spending a lot of money on it. Make sure your baby is comfortable in it and it seems sturdy enough. And always, ALWAYS make sure the car seat is installed correctly. A friend once told me that the base of the car seat should NOT MOVE at all. Make sure the lap belts are tight enough around the car seat base. If you're not sure you should ABSOLUTELY bring your car seat to a car seat inspection station. I think it's worth doing every time you buy a new car seat.
Here's a site where you can locate the nearest car seat station to make sure your baby has a safe ride: http://pediatrics.about.com/library/car_seats/bl_carseat_inspection_stations.htm
Good luck and safe driving!
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