Children and Rear-Facing Car Seats

Despite the fact that experts agree that staying rear-facing in car seats for as long as possible is the safer option, few parents follow the guideline.

My 27 pound 20 month old rides rear-facing in her car seat despite the questions we get from people who think we are crazy. I find it ironic the number of people who think that we are being irresponsible by keeping my children rear-facing despite the documented reality of the safety of remaining rear-facing.

Here are some of my responses:

"But doesn't it bother you that you can't see her?"

"Nope. My eyes should be on the road and not the back seat. There has never been a problem, but if there is I'll stop the car."

"But aren't you afraid if you are in an accident that she will break her legs?"

There is absolutely no data to support that. There is data that children are far more likely to be injured or killed when riding forward-facing though."

"But isn't she too big to ride rear-facing?"

"Nope. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that children should remain rear facing until reaching the maximum weight for the car safety seat, as long as the top of the head is below the top of the seat back.' She has several pounds and several inches to grow yet. Children in Sweden and other countries stay rear-facing up to age 5 or 55 pounds."

"She'll be happier forward-facing."

"I don't know that. She doesn't know that. She might be happier playing out in the street than in the yard, but I don't let her do that either. She's safer rear-facing. She'll stay rear-facing."

Related articles:

Best, Safest Children's Car Seat

Best Infant Car Seats

Videos of Forward vs. Rear Facing (Scroll down)