Should my 2 year old be in a rear facing car seat?
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Should my 2 year old be in a rear facing car seat?
The AAP now recommends that kids sit rear-facing until at least age 2 and for longer if possible. NHTSA now recommends: “Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer.”
At what age should infants be rear facing in a child restraint seat?
From 2011 to 2018, the recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) was to keep children rear-facing until they were at least two years old, but ideally longer—until reaching the rear-facing height or weight limit for their convertible seat.
Can I use forward facing car seat for 1 year old?
Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12. Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are different types of rear-facing car seats: Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing.
When can you switch to forward facing toddler?
When can a child face forward in a car seat?
- When they reach either the weight or height 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 Administration (NHTSA).
- Not before age 2.
What is the rear facing weight limit?
Infant rear facing car seats usually have a weight limit of 22 pounds or more. This should be clearly stated on the label on the side of the seat itself and in the owner’s manual. Convertible seats usually have higher weight limits than infant seats. Most have rear-facing limits of 35 – 40 pounds.
How long can a 4 month old be in a car seat?
Many car seat manufacturers recommend that a baby should not be in a car seat for longer than 2 hours, within a 24 hour time period. This is because when a baby is in a semi-upright position for a prolonged period of time it can result in: 1. A strain on the baby’s still-developing spine.
Why is rear facing safer?
A rear-facing car seat will absorb most of the crash forces and supports the head, neck and spine. When children ride forward-facing, their heads – which for toddlers are disproportionately large and heavy – are thrown forward, possibly resulting in spine and head injuries.
What is the max height for rear facing?
Height Limits All convertible car seats have a rear facing height limitation: most require the child’s head to be within 1 inch” of the top of the shell of the car seat, some have a standing height limit of 49 inches tall.
Why should a child be rear-facing until 2?
Can my 8 month old sit forward facing car seat?
Forward-facing car seat age Many parents want to know the right age for a forward-facing car seat, but this is not as straightforward as it may seem. Legally, your child can travel in an ECE R44/04 approved car seat facing forward once they are 9 kg, which is approximately age nine months.
