'Clearly he isn't facing the right way' Kim Kardashian slammed by fans over one-year-old son's car seat

'He is so cute let's protect this handsome boy by making sure he is rear facing'

Kim Kardashian has been criticised by followers over a photo of her one-year-old son, Saint, sat in a front-facing car seat.

The reality TV star uploaded the image to her Facebook page, showing her little one sat in a car seat in the back of their family car.

Donning some mini Vans trainers and camouflage shorts, the youngest member of the West clan looked absolutely adorable as he stared into the camera.

However, unfortunately it wasn't just his cuteness that followers of Kim's page commented on, as the type of car seat the mum-of-two had picked for her son sparked some debate amongst parents.

Many Facebook users spotted that Saint was sitting in a front-facing car seat, which, depending on his height and weight, could be deemed unsafe.

Car seat safety laws in Europe require that children up to four years old stay in a rear-facing car seat, or until their height becomes higher than the car seat.

This is because in a collision children in a front-facing car seat would be pushed forward, out of their seat, whereas children facing backwards would be pulled into their seat, where they would be more protected. This is important because babies and young children have undeveloped neck muscles, and need increased support.

However, it's a different story in the US. In California, where Kim and Kanye are believed to spend most of their time, children are only required to stay in a rear-facing car seat until the age of two, with exceptions made if, according to the California Highway Patrol website, 'the child weighs 40 or more pounds OR is 40 or more inches tall.'

The Daily Mail have reported that Saint does in fact surpass these height and weight measurements and therefore would be safe to travel in a front-facing car seat.

https://www.facebook.com/KimKardashian/photos/a.189505740612.258658.114696805612/10158953707955613/?type=3&theater

Many of Kim's followers felt impassioned to pass on their knowledge about car seat safety, with many commenting on what would be the best option for Saint.

One follower wrote, 'he is so cute let's protect this handsome boy by making sure is rear facing'.

Another said, 'Needs to be rear facing. Ossification of vertebrae doesn't happen until between 4-6 years. A one year old can be internally decapitated, which is almost always fatal, by just a quarter-inch stretch in their neck from an accident. Please rear face your children until they max out the seat, usually either 40 or 50 lbs.'

Whilst a third agreed, 'Look, I'm not trying to judge or anything. All mom's aren't perfect and we all make mistakes. But clearly he isn't facing the right way. From mommy to mommy please rearface him until two. With all the paparazzi following you all the time you're at a bigger risk getting into an accident. Don't risk INTERNAL DECAPATIAION or any other injuries if they could be prevented!'

But others were quick to defend the 36-year-old mum, explaining that their own children had been safe in a rear-facing car seat.

One fan exclaimed, 'OOO MY GOODNESS! Can we give this baby's parents a break! My first thought was before strapping in baby and car seat let's to take his picture. What A Cutie! My first thought was not to criticize his mother.'

Whilst another hit back saying, 'Omg! Guys the world is gonna end! His car seat needs to be rear facing! Shut up! I got my son a car seat at one year old it wasn't rear facing, he's safe! Shut up and enjoy the picture!'

GoodtoKnow

Trusted, informative, and empathetic – GoodToKnow is the ultimate online destination for mums. Established in 2007, our 15-year-strong archive of content includes more than 18,000 articles, 1,500 how-to videos, and 7,000 recipes.