My cause

Its funny, anyone who knows me will say I’m opinionated and I am stubborn and I like to have things MY way. You probably also know that I am a little obsessive and a whole lot of anal retentive. However, for the most part, I think as a first time mom, I’ve done pretty dang good. I do my best not to be overzealous with my worries and I do my best not to be too set on my ways. There are many ways to raise a baby and my way is no more right then the next persons. I have a routine for my daughter but if someone doesn’t follow it, I usually stay calm. I have rules, but others can make their own. I gave breast feeding a shot and found it wasn’t for me. I personally don’t think my baby lacked anything because of that decision but I respect those who think it’s the only way. I also choose to push my baby in a stroller instead of wearing her. I personally find this to be much easier on me and do not think she would have enjoyed being worn, but I am all for a mommy who can do it. I think cloth diapers are an awesome idea and I may even try them some time, but for now, it’s just not practical for us. That being said, I have found a cause that as a mother I have to fight for. I have to push, and I will not bend with my child or family on this. That is keeping my child rear facing until her seat will not allow it any longer.

If your not a mom, your thinking, car seats?! Cecile, pick a cause people care about! But if you are a mommy, you know this is a GREAT debate. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not going to judge you if you choose to forward face your child at the age of one and 20lbs, but I am going to make sure you’re making an INFORMED decision to do it. Sometimes it’s absolutely necessary and I get that. But when you do it because you’re excited to reach a new milestone, or because its easier for YOU, then that is where I need to point out a few small facts. Then, you can make your own informed decision and I will know I did my part.

Did you know:

Children who are forward facing are 4 times MORE likely to be injured in a crash

Automobile accidents are the #1 killer of children under 15. 72% of 3,500 observed child restraint systems were misused in a way that could be expected to increase a child’s risk of injury in a crash.

The longer a child can ride rear-acing, the better protected his or her spinal cord is in the event of a crash

Children who rear face are actually usually MORE comfortable then children who forward face. The length of their legs doe not bother them and there are NO documented cases of legs/hips/etc breaking due to Rear Facing but there are MANY cases of head and neck injury due to forward-facing. Legs can be fixed; a spinal cord is much harder if not impossible to repair.