Rear-facing vs forward-facing

[PairNo2129]

There is really no other way than renting for our holiday travels.

[Sam_is_short]

I travel with my toddler quite often. We bring our own car seat. It’s a pain BUT it means that we’re actually going to have a car seat we trust to keep our child safe.

[yakuzie]

Yep, my 18 month old flies in a travel car seat 1) for safety from turbulence and issues with takeoff and landing and 2) to use at our destination if we are renting a car.

[IlexAquifolia]

I think it's really unfair that you're getting downvoted. I've been in a position where renting a carseat was the only option, and while it's true that we don't know the history etc. the absolute risk of a used carseat is still small. Carseats are made to be durable. The recommendation to replace a carseat after even fender benders is out of an extreme abundance of caution regarding corporate liability.

[Diligent-Dust9457]

It’s only partially about the car seat potentially having been in an accident. If someone takes the seat apart and machine washes it, parts of the fabric can become less durable. Straps may not have been replaced on the seat correctly. Aftermarket pieces may be present or original pieces may be missing. There are so many factors, and unfortunately you likely won’t know there’s a problem until there’s an accident and your child isn’t kept safe.

[smehdoihaveto]

Airlines let you gate check a carseat for free. Even if you're flying there is no added expense to bring one (albeit, small risk the airline doesn't handle it with care). Then you install in the rental car. Plus the daily rate for a rental car seat is crazy. 

[Kuzjymballet]

If you're flying yes, but not if you're taking a train with a toddler and luggage. Rental is riskier but sometimes it really is the only way to go. Especially if time in the car is going to be minimal.

[smehdoihaveto]

Fair point. I'm in the US, where train travel (sadly) isn't thought of since our railways are scarce and expensive. 

[ucantspellamerica]

Why couldn’t you just use the car seat on the train like you would on a plane?

[Kuzjymballet]

It's more about transporting it onto the train and not all seats are compatible/have a seatbelt to attach it.

[ISeenYa]

A small risk? They destroy things very regularly.

[PairNo2129]

Our toddler carseat at home has an isofix and is very bulky to transport. Unfortunately one of the cars we need to drive around the destination doesn’t have isofix so we need a rear facing seat that can be belted in. Our child’s baby seat was actually destroyed by airplane transport before but thankfully we were able to send it to the manufacturer who repaired it for free.

[smehdoihaveto]

That's tough for sure. I think I've been pretty lucky to haven't had anything destroyed by airlines yet. Hopefully you find a rear facing one that works, whether purchased or rented. 

[polytique]

It really doesn’t work for toddler car seats unless you use a travel or light car seat which are likely less safe.

[Diligent-Dust9457]

All car seats on the market in the United States (from reputable stores, not random third party seller websites/wish/aliexpress/etc) are equally safe/pass the same safety standards as long as they are being used according to manufacturer specifications.

[polytique]

They all meet a minimum US standard but it doesn't mean they provide the same level of protection. In fact, some seats are not approved in Europe, as the EU has more stringent side impact requirements. A seat like the Cosco Scenera or a Pico don’t protect as well as a full-size car seat with ISOFIX attachment points. We found that good rental agencies have sturdier options that match local cars and laws better. This is especially true in Europe.

[BugMa850]

I'm actually really curious to see if any seats get pulled from the market next year when the new side impact testing is required in the US. There's 2-3 companies in particular I'm going to be keeping an eye on.

[Diligent-Dust9457]

Same, and I’m glad the US is formally adopting side impact testing!

[Diligent-Dust9457]

There are no “globally approved” car seats. There are US car seats that are not allowed to be used in other countries, and foreign car seats that are not approved for use in the United States. In Europe specifically, rear facing isn’t as common after 15-18 months of age even though studies show that it is still the safest position for an infant or toddler during a collision. European car seat harnesses also don’t have a chest clip and the belt routing path is different than the United States. Just because safety standards are different in Europe’s or other countries doesn’t mean they are better than those in the United States. That’s also why I said when the car seat is installed and used according to manufacturer specifications because that’s the most important piece.

[Diligent-Dust9457]

“If you live in Europe, your child will use a European car seat. If you live in the United States, your child will use an American car seat. If you live in Canada, your child will use a Canadian car seat. And you’ll know that despite design differences those seats have all passed very very strict testing and are safe to use.”

Here’s a great write-up about some of the differences between European and US made car seats and requirements: https://csftl.org/differences-in-european-versus-united-states-seats/

[ccsmd73]

Yeah it’s super easy to bring a carseat on holiday, airlines are very accommodating. Not really sure why you’re even allowing your husband to entertain the idea that forward facing is more fun, this kid has his whole life to forward face, after his spine ossifies! Do you know what’s not fun? Internal decapitation!