Forward facing at 6 mths

[DangerousDorothy]

My neighbours have their 6 mth old in a forward facing car seat and I don't know what to do. I know it is probably none of my business etc but I want to tell them it's not the best thing but don't want to cause a bad situation between them and us. I don't think they would take too kindly to me telling them IYSWIM.
We use a two way elite and I have tried to drop it into conversations before but that was mths ago when the lady was still pregnant. I haven't seen them to speak to for a while and the other day I realised that the baby was ff. Aaargh what to do?

[lagoonhaze]

Id print some info around (real hard hitting stuff) and drop it through their letterbox.

I wouldn't care if they took it badly.

[lljkk]

Is a 2 way elite one of the extended RF seats?
See I think most of the extended RF users are rabid zealots.
Not saying you are like that, but could be she does think you are.
I dunno, I'd have to say something about their heads really not being ready for that until closer to 1yo, the risk of internal decapitation.
But you may not be the person she is able to hear that from.

[iclaudius]

Wow that sounds scary - can someone post me these studies or what have you I think I need to educate myself

[maja00]

Next time you see them just mention it - "I noticed the baby is forward facing - you know they are much safer rear facing until they grow out of the seat as their necks can snap in an accident?"
Then it's up to them if they want to do their own research or not.

[IsThatTrue]

I know far too many who forward face at 6mo, usually the reason is 'they scream so much in the rear facing car seat'. I have always bit my tongue though as its not really my business. These are educated people, not sure where the common sense went tbh.

[lljkk]

Friend's DS was enormous and she couldn't wedge him into his RF infant carrier any more from about 6 months. It's a lot easier when your kids are runts like mine.

[SpottyTeacakes]

lljkk I have tiddlers too I think the risks aren't publicised enough tbh. OP I would be a wuss and shove something through the letterbox!

[maja00]

Most infant seats can easily fit 12 month olds, so for a 6 month old not to fit they must have been off the chart height and weight wise. Though in that situation you'd think the obvious thing to do would just be to buy one of the many seats birth to 4 seats that go rear and forward facing.

[Shiraztastic]

Iclaudius www.rearfacing.co.uk

[DangerousDorothy]

Thanks for the replies everyone.
I am just going to have to be brave and mention it to them next I see them. I wouldn't like to think I could have prevented an accident if something were to happen although I am not sure if it will fall on deaf ears as I have seen them go out today with the baby on the mums knee in the front
I have a whopper of a 12 mth old who is just coming up to the weight limit for his infant seat (will be getting him a erf one) and their son is much smaller than he is so maybe it is just that they don't know what is best. He is their first baby.

[Kafri]

As much as your intentions are good I can see this causing ructions with your neighbours, especially after your last post about going out with baby on their knee...

For what it's worth, i'm on your side with this one - they should really have done their research. Good luck, though i fear you're right and it will fall on deaf ears.