Are you struggling to find out the CORRECT TIME when you should move your baby to a forward-facing car seat?
Well, if that is the case, then trust me, you’ve landed on the correct post as we would be talking about those important 5 reasons that according to me clearly depict why should you keep your child rear-facing as long as possible.
Does it make sense?
So, without any further ado, let’s begin…
Frankly speaking, being a working lady and mother of two, at times it becomes tempting to move my child to a forward-facing car seat, and there are numerous reasons for it for sure.
Let’s have a quick look at 5 reasons, why you should keep your child rear-facing.
Why is rear-facing better?
- To be honest, rear-facing is still the safest way for children to ride, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Moreover, every transition actually reduces the amount of protection a child has in the event of a crash. And, for the same reason, parents shouldn’t rush transitioning kids out of rear-facing seats and later, into boosters before they are ready
- The thing that I really like about a rear-facing car seat is that it absorbs most of the crash forces and supports not only the head, and neck but also the spine. Many of you wouldn’t be aware of the fact that if your children are riding the forward-facing, then their heads- which for toddlers are disproportionately large and heavy – are thrown forward, which may lead to spine and head injuries
- I know quite a few car seat manufacturers that have created seats that allow children to remain rear-facing until they weigh 40 to 50 pounds. Just for your information, quite a few infant-only seats have got higher weight limit of 35 to 40 pounds
- Our team did extensive research and came up with a conclusion that evidence does not support that children will suffer leg and foot injuries if their feet touch the seat. In fact, there aren’t any known harmful effects of riding rear-facing longer, while the benefits have been known for years, isn’t it? Children have many ways of making themselves comfortable when facing the rear. We believe that they should ride that way until and unless they have reached the weight or height limit for rear-facing in their seat.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Families Guidelines
As a parent of a newly born baby, it is really important for you to have a clear idea about what the American Academy of Pediatrics Families Guidelines says:
In case of any doubt or discrepancy, please do contact us via the contact form of izzysmarthomeguide.com
- First thing first, children should ride in a rear-facing car safety seat as long as possible, up to the limits of their car safety seat in terms of weight and height. This includes children up to the age of 4 years
- Most seats can accommodate children up to 60 pounds or more. Children should remain in the forward-facing car seat safely up to that seat’s weight and length limit
- And, if your kids have exceeded these limits, then, in that case, they should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat till the time the seat belt doesn’t fit correctly
- Your kid should use a lap and shoulder belt when she has exceeded the booster limits and is large enough to use the vehicle seat alone
- Lastly, all children less than 13 years old should be restrained in the rear seats of vehicles for optimal protection
It wouldn’t be wrong if I’d say that safely transporting children has come a long way from the days when would put a baby front-facing at age 1 and 20 pounds.
Always keep your child rear-facing for as long as their seat allows and check the label on your car seat to make sure your child fits the weight and height guidelines and that you are using the seat correctly.
How long should a baby be in a rear-facing car seat?
When I became a mom for the very first time, I was both excited and nervous, it was such a beautiful feeling that I can’t express in words even today.
And, I know many of the moms reading this post would easily correlate with my situation.
To be honest, there isn’t anything like a timeline.
What actually I’ve followed in the past is that my kids should be in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, that is until she doesn’t exceed the weight or height limits specified by the manufacturer for the car seat.
Don’t be in a hurry to make big switches as it might give birth to some safety concerns.
Well, the current recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics is to keep the kids rear-facing until and unless they reach the maximum height or weight limit.
In our research, we’ve found out that this happens usually when your kids are in the age group of 3 to 5 years.
Furthermore, One-third of states in the U.S. have updated their child passenger safety laws to require rear-facing seats until age two.
Rear-Facing And Forward-Facing Comparison Chart
| Parameters | Rear Facing | Forward Facing |
| Age | Any age as long as your kid is within the height and weight limits for their rear-facing car seats | It is dependent on two parameters, that is, state law and the car seat your kid would be using |
| Weight | It depends upon the car seat, but the good thing is that most convertible car seats come with a rear-facing weight limit of 40 to 50 pounds | Again, it also depends on state law and the car seat that your kid would be using |
| Height | Depends on the car seat, but it’s true that most convertible seats have rear-facing height limits that require the child’s head to be at least 1 inch below the top | It also depends upon state law and the car seat that your kid would be using |
It’s A Wrap
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being with us till the end.
Secondly, I would like to bring to your notice that I along with my core team have put loads and loads into coming up with this idiosyncratic superlative piece of information.
And, in case, you liked our effort, then please do share information with like-minded people and the ones who are in need of it.
After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?
To cut a long story short, car seats are designed to absorb some crash forces and spread the remaining crash forces over a larger area of the body.
On the other hand, for adults, seat belts distribute force to the strongest parts of the body, that is, the hips, chest bone, and collarbone.
Moreover, when forward-facing, the head pulls forward, which puts stress on the neck.
On the other hand, when rear-facing, the head, neck, and back all move in unison and are cradled by the shell of the rear-facing car seat.
That’s all, as of now:):)
[Also Read]
