Why I Chose Extended Rearfacing

I hate that I can't see her when I'm driving in the car.

When I was registering for all things baby, I registered for a really big mirror to hang off the back seat so I could "see" her while I was driving.  Since I didn't drive much for the first 6 weeks out of the hospital, that mirror got installed in my mother's car, where it still is to this day.

So I don't have a cute backwards mirror in my car.  So I can't see her. 

Because, you see, even though my Wee One is over a year old, and I think she just managed to hit the 20 pound point last week, I won't turn her car seat around to face forward.  Even though I hate not being able to see her, even though it breaks my arm to have to pass something over the top of her carseat, even though it barely fits that way in the back seat of my car, I won't turn her car seat around to face forward.

Why?

Because extended rear facing carseats are safer and save lives.

It's not a rumor, and it's not a bunch of holier-than-thou mommy crap.  There are studies that are published that prove that the longer your child remains in a rear-facing carseat designed for larger children, the more safe your child will be.  From the above linked abstract:  "Data support a new recommendation that children stay rear-facing in size-appropriate car seats until they reach the highest weight and height allowed for rear-facing by the manufacturer of the convertible seat. Premature graduation to the next seat type/size/position increases risk of injury."

Here is a site that quotes other studies - but I didn't verify the publications, so I include with that warning.

I had the idea of extended rearfacing in mind when I bought her new carseat when she turned a year old.  In our carseat, she can remain rearfacing until she is 35 pounds (which, at this rate, might mean middle school.  I jest.  Slightly.)

I hate that I can't see her.  But I love that she is safer.  I love that if I am in a freak accident and something god-forbidden happens, that I know that I did everything I could, I made every decision I could, to keep her as safe as I could.

Then you let go and pray.