Some of you may have read my post last week called Car Seat Confusion as the title of this post clearly puts it, this is part two... more. confusion. More anxiety over something that should be small and simple, but is not.
After finding the correct size/age/weight limit on Vada's infant car seat I became kind of excited about the possibility of putting her into her "new" (new as still in the box and never used new, but old in the sense that it was bought over a year ago and has been sitting in the same corner of our basement since the day I purchased it) car seat. I brought the new seat upstairs, took it out of the box and placed it on the living room floor, just to see what Vada would think about it and you know what? She seemed to really like it, which makes me think that she also needs one of those child sized reclining chairs--seriously! Anyway, I waited until Justin got home and left the final decision up to him. Should we change Vada over to this new seat meant for older and more distinguished (aka "larger" babies)? He said yes and took it out to our van. About a half an hour later he came back into the house, slightly frustrated and slightly on edge because he was more afraid of my reaction than I think he was frustrated at the situation...
The situation was this..., I was all for the new seat. I was. Change can be good. It can simbolize growth and milestones that are met. In this case change meant exactly that and it also meant a new sweet seat for Miss. V herself. The problem was that I still wanted her rear facing. The seat that I bought said the seat would sit rear facing just fine, only it didn't. If you look at the first two photo's you'll see a sight that should be very familiar to any parent and that little silver ball and that green area in the middle is the cause for this new confusion. When the seat is in a rear facing position that freakin' ball goes into the red. Red as in "stop", "do not move forward, do not pass go" and certainly "do not collect your two hundred dollars!"
The main thing that concerns me, besides the seat facing forward, is Vada's poor neck. When she falls asleep it just doesn't look right. The way it looks may have a little to do with her lower tone. I remember J and K looking uncomfortable when they were asleep in their car seats too but with the AAI possibilities I am concerned that she doesn't have enough support for her neck. What do you all think? Here's two thoughts. 1. I think that the fire department men are suppose to be knowledgeable in car seat safety, if not I know of a pregnancy center near by that it. Maybe I go to one of these places and have them check it out. 2. The seat came with a cushion-like pad that is typically used for smaller children-- maybe I try using that? My thought with the cushion is that its not going to stop her neck from going so far forward like in the third to last photo that I have shared here. I just don't know.
After finding the correct size/age/weight limit on Vada's infant car seat I became kind of excited about the possibility of putting her into her "new" (new as still in the box and never used new, but old in the sense that it was bought over a year ago and has been sitting in the same corner of our basement since the day I purchased it) car seat. I brought the new seat upstairs, took it out of the box and placed it on the living room floor, just to see what Vada would think about it and you know what? She seemed to really like it, which makes me think that she also needs one of those child sized reclining chairs--seriously! Anyway, I waited until Justin got home and left the final decision up to him. Should we change Vada over to this new seat meant for older and more distinguished (aka "larger" babies)? He said yes and took it out to our van. About a half an hour later he came back into the house, slightly frustrated and slightly on edge because he was more afraid of my reaction than I think he was frustrated at the situation...
The situation was this..., I was all for the new seat. I was. Change can be good. It can simbolize growth and milestones that are met. In this case change meant exactly that and it also meant a new sweet seat for Miss. V herself. The problem was that I still wanted her rear facing. The seat that I bought said the seat would sit rear facing just fine, only it didn't. If you look at the first two photo's you'll see a sight that should be very familiar to any parent and that little silver ball and that green area in the middle is the cause for this new confusion. When the seat is in a rear facing position that freakin' ball goes into the red. Red as in "stop", "do not move forward, do not pass go" and certainly "do not collect your two hundred dollars!"
So Justin switched the new seat into the forward facing position and I had to accept it because what else could the man do? No seriously, Im asking... is there something else he or I could do to get this seat into a rear facing position? Am I over reacting here? Maybe a little? I mean I had both of my older girls facing forward as soon as they turned one. It's just that I know better now-- you know?
I may have not liked the whole idea but I think that little Miss sure did. At first she was all like "what the heck" (her words not mine) and I was all like "your big now and Papa says..." then she was all like...
Okay, okay so that whole conversation never really took place and yes I need some serious sleep right about now but she does like her new seat and for the most part, I do too.
Okay, okay so that whole conversation never really took place and yes I need some serious sleep right about now but she does like her new seat and for the most part, I do too.
I have this mirror in my van that is above my rear view mirror and when I look into it I can see the whole inner van, well everything behind me of course. It's nice looking into Vada's sweet face. It's nice to turn around at a stop light and babble to her about anything and everything and watch while i listen to her ramble something back to me in return. I am just a worrier im sure...
The main thing that concerns me, besides the seat facing forward, is Vada's poor neck. When she falls asleep it just doesn't look right. The way it looks may have a little to do with her lower tone. I remember J and K looking uncomfortable when they were asleep in their car seats too but with the AAI possibilities I am concerned that she doesn't have enough support for her neck. What do you all think? Here's two thoughts. 1. I think that the fire department men are suppose to be knowledgeable in car seat safety, if not I know of a pregnancy center near by that it. Maybe I go to one of these places and have them check it out. 2. The seat came with a cushion-like pad that is typically used for smaller children-- maybe I try using that? My thought with the cushion is that its not going to stop her neck from going so far forward like in the third to last photo that I have shared here. I just don't know.
 |
| Nope. This looks neither comfortable nor safe. |
5 comments:
Does the car seat tilt or rotate? If not, in order to get it to be leveled correctly in the rear facing position, use either a rolled up towel or cut a pool noodle to the width of the seat. Place that under the car seat (where the top and bottom of chair meet), and that should level it. I know that sounds crazy, but that is what my fire dept. suggested, I would try the fire dept or baby store if you are still uncomfortable.
Liddy sleeps like that in her rear facing infant seat. Regardless of how many times we tilt her head back...or tilt her back. She's always slept like that in the car seat (even since she was tiny).....
We have to put a folded up towel under Miss K's carseat to make sure it isn't the correct angle. And even rear facing she will often get very uncomfortable looking when asleep.
Have you thought about returning that seat? We had the same problems and ended up buying a Recaro Proride. Her neck will not bend like that when sleeping and the straps adjust by turning a knob and slowing inching up. The straps will then perfectly fit her all the time. Not too high or low. It is an investment but Vada will probably use the seat far past 4 because she's so small.
nice post :)
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