In an ideal world, everyone (except the driver) would ride rear-facing. Flight attendants do--and its no coincidence.

Rear-Facing Basics

Why ride rear-facing?

• Rear-facing kids are 4-5 times safer than those riding forward-facing.

Who should ride rear-facing?

• Everyone – since it is so much safer – but especially infants and toddlers.

What type of seat should the rear-facing child use?

• Infant seats typically accommodate babies up to 20-22 pounds (a few go to 30-35 pounds).
• Convertible car seats accommodate rear-facing children up to 30-35 pounds and forward-facing children up to 40 or more pounds.

Where should the rear-facing child ride?

• The center of the back seat is statistically the safest place of the vehicle, as you can not take a direct impact.
  
• If the car seat does not fit securely in the center, and/or there are other children riding in the back seat, it is often necessary for the rear-facing child to ride on one of the side seats.
  
• Rear-facing children MUST ride in the back seat if there is a passenger airbag in the front.

When should a child switch from rear-facing to forward-facing?

• When they are too big for rear-facing in their convertible (not infant-only) car seat – i.e. they are 30-35 pounds OR their head is within 1 inch of the top of the car seat. It is perfectly OK for the rear-facing child’s feet to touch the back of the vehicle seat – it is NOT a source of discomfort or injury.

• The baby MUST be AT LEAST 1 year old AND AT LEAST 20-22 pounds before going forward-facing.
  


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