Many parents aren't sure when information technology's condom to switch their child'south rear-facing car seat to the forrard-facing position. Expert organizations used to say information technology was fine to turn your child's motorcar seat around when she turned 2. But the recommendations take changed in recent years.

Now, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that the vast majority of children stay rear-facing as long as possible, fifty-fifty subsequently turning 2, and parents shouldn't brand the switch based on historic period. The biggest reason? Rear-facing motorcar seats are better at protecting the caput, cervix and spine in the event of a crash.

Here's why it's worth holding off on turning your child's car seat effectually and how to tell when she's ready to face frontward.

When should y'all turn your child'southward automobile seat around?

Rear-facing vs. forrard-facing car seats: What's the difference?

Beginning, some groundwork on rear-facing and forward-facing seats. Infants should always be in rear-facing car seats, and there are 2 types that are safety for the youngest children.

Many parents prefer to start with a rear-facing infant motorcar seat because they're lightweight, portable and user-friendly. Rear-facing baby seats come with a base of operations plus a seat that clicks into place, then you can quickly take the seat in and out. Infant car seats also accept handles that brand them easy to conduct when your infant is inside.

The downside? Your baby volition outgrow an infant motorcar seat well before she'south gear up to face forward. Most rear-facing babe seats have an upper weight limit betwixt 28 and 35 pounds and an upper height limit of 30 to 35 inches, depending on the model. Once your infant reaches the maximum height or weight, whichever comes showtime, yous'll demand to upgrade: The next step is a convertible auto seat that can start off existence used in a rear-facing position and eventually face forward when your child is (much) bigger.

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

Still, convertible seats are safe and acceptable for infants, notes the AAP. And they can be a expert choice for families who'd prefer not to have to eventually buy a 2d auto seat: Convertible seats tin often be used rear-facing until a child is between 40 and 50 pounds, and so can face forward until a child is 65 pounds or more than.

When can a child face forrard in a car seat?

You should continue your child in the rear-facing position for as long as possible. But instead of using age as a guideline, go on the post-obit in mind:

  • When they reach either the weight or height limit.Your kid should stay rear-facing until she has hitting the maximum height or weight for that position, says the AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Near rear-facing babe seats can accommodate children until they attain 28 to 35 pounds or 30 to 35 inches, simply keep in mind that many children will reach the maximum acme earlier they practice the maximum weight. Once a child outgrows a rear-facing baby seat, she tin can switch to a convertible seat in a rear-facing position, which can oft be used until a child is between 40 and 50 pounds. (The specific weight will depend on your auto seat model.) You can find your seat's pinnacle and weight limits on the tag or in the manufacturer instructions.
  • Not earlier age ii.Years agone, age 2 was considered the standard fourth dimension to switch to the forward-facing position. Now, it's considered the absolute minimum, because most 2-year-olds won't be adequately protected from a crash in a forward-facing seat. Rather than basing your switch on the calendar, do so only when your child reaches the maximum summit or weight limit for the rear-facing position of her convertible seat. For many, this doesn't happen until age 3 or four.

Any child who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or tiptop limit for her convertible seat should use a frontward-facing seat with a harness for equally long every bit possible, upward to the highest weight or summit allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

Why are rear-facing auto seats safer for children?

Rear-facing is the safest position for babies and toddlers because information technology offers the most protection in the upshot of a crash. That's why the AAP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NHTSA all say children should stay in a rear-facing seat for equally long as possible, not just until historic period 2.

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

Car seat safety 101

Buckling your lilliputian one in becomes automatic pretty fast, only it never hurts to castor upwards on the basics. In addition to keeping your fiddling one rear-facing for equally long as possible, e'er remember to:

  • Properly buckle her in. When buckling your child in, be mindful of whatever uneven or twisted straps (they could increase risk of injury), brand sure the angle indicator is in a safe range for your baby'southward age and practise a "compression test" on the strap cloth by your child's shoulder (if you can pinch it vertically, it's too loose and needs to be tightened).
  • Never leave a child unattended in or effectually a car. Even if she'southward buckled in her car seat.
  • Only use car seats for travel. Automobile seats should non exist used for sleeping, eating or anything else. If your kid falls asleep in her car seat, move her to a safe sleep location one time you're washed driving.
  • Children nether 13 should sit in the back seat. Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front passenger seat, since the airbag could injure your infant.
  • Read the manual. If you're unsure a seat is installed correctly or are having trouble, contact a local certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) for help.
  • Never use a car seat that's damaged, expired or has an unknown history. These seats may not provide adequate protection in the consequence of a crash.