[aleithaki]

This is kind of a vent. I've been frustrated twice now by the professionals I've asked to fit my girl's seat for me.

Both fitters couldn't believe that I wanted my toddler rear-facing and tried hard to talk me out of using the rear-facing capsule, even though she well and truly fits under the height and weight limits for the seat. Honestly, she really does fit, even at 1 year 10 months. (She is off the bottom of the height and weight charts so she is unusually small.)

Why don't the professional fitters know that it is SAFER to keep the little ones rear-facing? They actually tried to talk me out of it and were concerned for my child who would not get to 'see out the front' or who should be turned because 'you are supposed to turn kids at 6 months'. I cannot understand how they are not up with the latest research.

It's hard to convince my husband how important extended rear-facing is when the professional fitters don't agree with me.

Have other people had these experiences? Where do I find a fitter in Sydney who understands these issues?

[New Horizons]

I've never been asked why I wanted a particular seat put in at any time. How rude of them to not do what you ask.

[lsolaBella]

Before I knew about RF, when my eldest outgrew his capsule height wise, I purchased a FF seat. Restraint fitter actually requested DSs Blue Book to confirm he was over 8kgs before he would install the seat FF. DS was a small 10mo at the time (8.1kgs).

It just depends on who you get. My cousin was told by Kidsafe in 2006 that it was best for her then not yet 3yo to go to a booster and put the baby in big borers seat when baby outgrew the capsule. My cousin was then determined to put her child ina booster by three years. My son who is the same age was in 5pt harness until 5-6yrs of age. My cousin thought I was crazy a she had been told by Kidsafe. Unfortunately she was not here for the Law changes.

[Charliebear21]

my DH is a fitter he said he wouldn't put a toddler in a capsule seat rear facing as they are meant for small newborns not for toddlers who have ample neck control. However unless you told him what child your putting in it he would just assume it was for a new born and probably fit it.

[lucky 2]

I've never been asked why I wanted a particular seat put in at any time. How rude of them to not do what you ask.

That's a tricky one, if he is being paid to fit a seat (for safety reasons and they have a recognised qualification) and they believe that what you are wanting is unsafe then it would be appropriate for them to say something. Otherwise if something happened to your child they may end up with some liability?
I'm not defending the accuracy of what the fitter said, just the principle of him speaking up about it, I'd hate to think that the qualified fitter might not speak up if required if there really was a safety risk and keep quiet because "the customer always knows best".

[aleithaki]

Oh, just to clarify, they did put the seat in the way I wanted in the end, but they weren't happy about it!

I just didn't appreciate having to argue with them about preferences when what I'm asking is perfectly legal and safer than what they were suggesting - they just haven't done as much safety research as I have done.

I would have expected the professionals to be able to tell me best practice guidelines or at least have an informed discussion with me about it. But one guy was avidly arguing against a safer practice (rear-facing) because he thought my toddler should appreciate seeing out the front window.

This post has been edited by aleithaki: 21/02/2013, 01:40 PM

[aleithaki]

my DH is a fitter he said he wouldn't put a toddler in a capsule seat rear facing as they are meant for small newborns not for toddlers who have ample neck control. However unless you told him what child your putting in it he would just assume it was for a new born and probably fit it.

Interesting point. I thought from my research that capsules would always remain the safest option, assuming the child still fits under the height and weight guidelines. Is there any research to suggest this is not the case?

[New Horizons]

That's a tricky one, if he is being paid to fit a seat (for safety reasons and they have a recognised qualification) and they believe that what you are wanting is unsafe then it would be appropriate for them to say something. Otherwise if something happened to your child they may end up with some liability?
I'm not defending the accuracy of what the fitter said, just the principle of him speaking up about it, I'd hate to think that the qualified fitter might not speak up if required if there really was a safety risk and keep quiet because "the customer always knows best".

With the Maxi Rider, all I was asked was if the child was 8 to 18kg. Nothing about age. I assume because if she was over 18kg the seat would have been installed in booster mode.

[lucky 2]

Sounds like one of those situations when saying little may be the wisest thing to do.

[Rockabyebaby]

Its frightening. I know a terrific fitter who is very keen on keeping kids RF as long as possible and who has more than once refused to fit seats where she felt the child was too small or the product inappropriate.
I'll PM you her number.