Rear facing carseats

United States
June 29, 2009 1:25pm CST
I'm hoping that everyone with kids already knows this, but babies have to stay rear facing in their carseats until they are at least 1 year old and weight 20 pounds, but that is not the limit, it's the minimum! It's amazing to me how many people say "huh?" when I tell them this. Most carseats now go anywhere from 30 to 40 pounds rear facing, and my 2 1/2 year old niece is still rearfacing. I've seen crash test videos on youtube and done the research- kids are safer rear facing because the carseat supports their neck and spine better. Kids can be internally decapitated (their spinal cord severed) if they are turned around forward facing too soon. Their legs can get a bit squished as they get taller, but I read there have been no reports of broken limbs due to crashes where children were rear facing. The incidence of injury is higher when kids are forward facing. Also, kids have to be 40 pounds before they can ride in a booster seat, and most experts also recommend waiting until the child is mature enough to, for example, not unbuckle themselves while the car is moving. Kids have to be 4'9" tall before they can ride in the car without a booster/carseat- the seatbelt must cross their shoulder at the appropriate level. If I forgot anything, please remind me! Any suggestions on carseats, too. I know The 1st Years makes a carseat that harnesses to 65 pounds, but that's just one of many with a high weight limit.
1 response
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
13 Jul 09
In my home country there are strict rules about all children under the age of 12 in a suitable car seat. There is a height restriction guide too. Babies sit in a rear facing car seat until they outgrow that seat. It is a O level car seat. Then the next seat faces forwards and it is a level 1 seat. My toddler son outgrew his level 0 seat at around 6 months old. Then he went in a forwards facing seat suitable from 9 months to 4 years. My second nephew and a first niece are 9 years old and 6 years old. They sit in booster seats. Safety is so important.