Parents weigh in on proposed law change to rear-facing car seat requirement

Safety is top priority for Jacob Aschauer's 21-month-old daughter Lydia.

Right now, that means buckling her up in a rear-facing car seat. A decision not based on age.

"We generally follow the manufacturer recommendations, which I believe are 40 pounds to the front facing," he said. "I don't see why we'd do anything different."

"It's more of a comfort thing for us, not necessarily the poundage," said dad Martin Magdaleno.

Magdaleno and his wife switched their almost two-year-old daughter to a front-facing car seat about one year ago.

"I believe if it were that pressing of an issue the doctor would've strongly recommended one way or the other," he said.

Experts strongly recommended parents use rear-facing car seats until their kids are two years old. Data shows they're 75 percent safer that way.

"My child is two years old and we did try to keep her in a rear facing car seat, but it didn't work because she's way too tall," said mom Kiara McNair. "It was cramping up her feet and legs."

Katie Horrigan with Children's Hospital said that's always a big concern for parents. But supporting the child's head and neck outweighs comfort.

"When kids are in front-facing seats, they're heads are more likely to move forward and a much more serious injury can take place," said Horrigan.

Horrigan said the state's proposed law change aims to prevent that.

Parents appreciate the help, but say it's not a one size fits all answer.

"I go by what I've experienced and what I believe is safest for my child," McNair said.

As part of Child Passenger Safety Week, a free car seat and booster check will take place in Waukesha at fire station number one, located at 130 W. St. Paul Ave. It runs from 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, September 19.

You can find other child seat safety checks here.