When Should Your Child Face Forward in a Car Seat?
Most parents place their toddlers forward-facing in a car seat way sooner than they should. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting until at least age 2, while the NHTSA and the CPS Technician Certification Curriculum recommend keeping children rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight for rear-facing in their convertible car seat, which for most kids is around 2-4 years old!
A 2007 article in Injury Prevention showed that two year olds were five times safer riding rear-facing than forward-facing.
The AAP recommends that all infants ride rear-facing on their first ride home from the hospital. Infant car seats are typically rear-facing only and have a low height and weight limit. Once your baby reaches these limits, it is best to then upgrade them to a convertible car seat and continue to ride rear-facing. Convertible seats are car seats that start rear-facing and then convert to forward-facing. The weight limit for rear-facing is typically 35-50 pounds!
Quick Facts:
1. Children can bend their legs easily and will be more comfortable in a rear-facing seat. They can sit with their legs crossed or in the "frog leg" position.
2. Injuries to the legs are very rare for children facing the rear. Studies show that forward-facing kids actually suffer more leg injuries than rear-facing kids.
3. Rear-facing car seat positions support a child's head, neck, and back substantially more in the most common and severe types of vehicle crashes.
My daughter reached the height limit before the weight limit of her infant seat, the Nuna Pipa, around the time she was a year old. This car seat was wonderful and I would highly recommend it. It was easy to install, machine washable, and comfortable for my baby.
Once she grew out of her infant seat, I decided to buy the Clek Foonf convertible car seat. Yes, it is a lot of money, however, I knew this car seat would be with us for a while, so I wanted something that would last. It is one of the nicest car seats I have seen! Installation was a little more time consuming than the Nuna, but it was easy. It is not machine washable, however, the fabric is Greengaurd Certified and provides protection against stains, moisture and odor-causing bacteria. The seat is also free of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants. Best of all, my daughter can stay rear-facing in the Clek Foonf until she is 50lbs!
Remember, car seat safety is not something to be taken lightly. Do your research on how to properly install and secure your child in their seat.
