The 12 months and 20 lbs rule isn't a NY thing, right?

I was in Jersey yesterday visiting my BFF and both her and her DH said that their birthing class (which was in PA) told them that you could turn the baby around to foward facing at 6 months

I told them that wasn't true, that it was 1 year and 20lbs. I thought that was a universal thing, but am I wrong?

Message edited 11/25/2007 6:44:57 PM.

Re: The 12 months and 20 lbs rule isn't a NY thing, right?

I live in NJ and everyone told us the 20 pounds 1 year rule at the prenatal classes, at the hospital, at the police station car seat check-point, etc.

Your friend needs to check again - it's the law everywhere I believe.

Message edited 11/25/2007 7:06:38 PM.

Re: The 12 months and 20 lbs rule isn't a NY thing, right?

You're not wrong. It's not a law in NY but might be in some other states. In general it's a strongly suggested guideline for keeping your child safe. No way should a 6 month old be facing forward, their necks and spines aren't strong enough. In fact, everything I know suggests keeping them rear facing as long as possible. It's shocking that a birthing class instructor would tell them that. I am appalled that they would disseminate such grossly incorrect and possibly life threatening information. Could your friend have possibly misunderstood? Please forward your friends some links on rear facing seats, they could find hundreds more if they do a google search.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/safetycheck/TypeSeats/index.htm

http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html

http://www.thecarseatlady.com/car_seats/rear-facing_seats.html

Re: The 12 months and 20 lbs rule isn't a NY thing, right?

According to "Carseat Chris" you should keep your child rearfacing until 15 months. It's the safest for them that way. I will keep Jack facing the rear as long as I can!

Re: The 12 months and 20 lbs rule isn't a NY thing, right?

Even if its not the law everywhere, it is safest to keep your child rear facing until at least 1 yr and 20lbs, preferably longer. Most car safety people prefer keeping children rear facing until the limits of the seat which is 30+lbs in most cases.

Re: The 12 months and 20 lbs rule isn't a NY thing, right?

I live in PA and we were instructed to keep our daughter rear-facing until 1 year old.

Re: The 12 months and 20 lbs rule isn't a NY thing, right?

We just changed carseats over the weekend and as I was reading it, it said in the booklet to never turn a kid around before age 1 and whatever the weight limit is and to keep them rear facing as long as possible. That was the general carseat booklet, not a NYS booklet.