Many parents aren't certain when information technology's safe to switch their kid's rear-facing auto seat to the forward-facing position. Expert organizations used to say it was fine to plough your kid's machine seat around when she turned 2. But the recommendations have changed in recent years.

Now, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that the vast majority of children stay rear-facing equally long as possible, fifty-fifty afterward turning two, and parents shouldn't brand the switch based on age. The biggest reason? Rear-facing car seats are better at protecting the head, neck and spine in the effect of a crash.

Here'southward why information technology'southward worth property off on turning your child's car seat around and how to tell when she's ready to face forward.

When should y'all turn your child's auto seat around?

Rear-facing vs. frontwards-facing machine seats: What's the difference?

Outset, some background on rear-facing and forwards-facing seats. Infants should always be in rear-facing car seats, and at that place are 2 types that are safe for the youngest children.

Many parents adopt to start with a rear-facing infant car seat because they're lightweight, portable and user-friendly. Rear-facing infant seats come with a base plus a seat that clicks into identify, and then y'all tin quickly take the seat in and out. Infant car seats also accept handles that make them easy to carry when your infant is within.

The downside? Your infant will outgrow an baby motorcar seat well before she's set up to face forward. Well-nigh rear-facing infant seats have an upper weight limit between 28 and 35 pounds and an upper height limit of 30 to 35 inches, depending on the model. Once your baby reaches the maximum tiptop or weight, whichever comes showtime, you'll need to upgrade: The side by side step is a convertible car seat that can commencement off being used in a rear-facing position and somewhen face forward when your kid is (much) bigger.

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Convertible seats tend to be heavy and bulky and are designed to stay put in your car. The fact that you tin can't easily tote them around is why many parents opt to start with a more convenient rear-facing infant seat.

Still, convertible seats are safe and adequate for infants, notes the AAP. And they tin can be a good selection for families who'd prefer not to take to eventually buy a second car seat: Convertible seats can ofttimes be used rear-facing until a child is between 40 and fifty pounds, and then can face forward until a kid is 65 pounds or more.

When can a child confront forward in a motorcar seat?

You should keep your child in the rear-facing position for as long equally possible. Merely instead of using age equally a guideline, keep the post-obit in mind:

  • When they reach either the weight or tiptop limit.Your child should stay rear-facing until she has hit the maximum height or weight for that position, says the AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Assistants (NHTSA). Near rear-facing infant seats tin accommodate children until they reach 28 to 35 pounds or 30 to 35 inches, but keep in listen that many children will reach the maximum peak before they do the maximum weight. One time a child outgrows a rear-facing infant seat, she can switch to a convertible seat in a rear-facing position, which can oftentimes be used until a child is between xl and l pounds. (The specific weight will depend on your car seat model.) You can detect your seat's height and weight limits on the tag or in the manufacturer instructions.
  • Not before historic period 2.Years ago, age ii was considered the standard time to switch to the forward-facing position. At present, it's considered the absolute minimum, because near 2-year-olds won't exist adequately protected from a crash in a frontwards-facing seat. Rather than basing your switch on the calendar, do so only when your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit for the rear-facing position of her convertible seat. For many, this doesn't happen until age 3 or 4.

Whatsoever child who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or top limit for her convertible seat should use a forrad-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or acme allowed past the car seat manufacturer.

Why are rear-facing automobile seats safer for children?

Rear-facing is the safest position for babies and toddlers considering it offers the most protection in the outcome of a crash. That's why the AAP, Centers for Affliction Control and Prevention (CDC) and NHTSA all say children should stay in a rear-facing seat for as long equally possible, non but until age 2.

Infants, toddlers and preschoolers have less mature bones and connective tissues that are at greater risk for serious injury. Rear-facing seats act as a protective cradle — peculiarly for a baby or kid'south delicate neck and spinal cord — in a serious accident. They requite babies and immature children more protection, and age alone isn't enough to determine whether a child is physically developed enough to sit down safely in a front-facing seat.

Car seat condom 101

Buckling your niggling ane in becomes automated pretty fast, simply it never hurts to brush upward on the basics. In add-on to keeping your little one rear-facing for as long as possible, always remember to:

  • Properly buckle her in. When buckling your child in, be mindful of whatever uneven or twisted straps (they could increment gamble of injury), make sure the angle indicator is in a rubber range for your baby's historic period and do a "compression exam" on the strap fabric by your kid'southward shoulder (if yous tin can pinch information technology vertically, it'south as well loose and needs to be tightened).
  • Never leave a child unattended in or around a car. Even if she's buckled in her car seat.
  • Only use car seats for travel. Motorcar seats should not be used for sleeping, eating or anything else. If your child falls asleep in her motorcar seat, motility her to a prophylactic sleep location once y'all're done driving.
  • Children nether 13 should sit in the back seat. Never identify a rear-facing car seat in the front end passenger seat, since the airbag could injure your babe.
  • Read the manual. If you're unsure a seat is installed correctly or are having problem, contact a local certified Child Passenger Rubber Technician (CPST) for assistance.
  • Never employ a motorcar seat that's damaged, expired or has an unknown history. These seats may not provide adequate protection in the outcome of a crash.