The Car Seat Lady

Rear-Facing Seats

Article Index
Rear-Facing Seats
Why Ride Rear-Facing?
Who Rides Rear-Facing?
Height and Weight Limits
Types of Rear-Facing Seats
When to Turn Forward-Facing?
Seat Placement in the Vehicle
Positioning the Child in the Seat
Stroller Compatibility
Infant Carrier Handle Positioning
Keeping Rear-Facing Kids Happy
Tips for Newborns
Tips for Preemies
Videos and Installation Tips

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Height and Weight Limits

Height Limits

There should be at least one inch between the top of the child's head and the top of the car seat. Because some kids have longer legs and others longer torsos, it's impossible to give a height limit in terms of the child's total height (since it's only the torso that matters).

Note: A child's feet CAN touch the vehicle seat back. This is okay and does NOT mean that the child is too tall for rear-facing.

Weight Limits

Infant Carriers
Most infant carriers go to 22 pounds or higher. Check your car seat's instruction manual or look at the information label on the side of the car seat to find out its weight limit.

Convertible Car Seats
Most convertible seats (those which can go both rear-facing and forward-facing) have rear-facing weight limits of 33 or 35 pounds, although many newer models go up to 40 pounds. Again, check your car seat's instruction manual or look at the information label on the side of the car seat to find out its weight limit.

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