Safety Recommendations provided by the National Child Passenger Safety Certification Program (NHTSA).
Increased Crash Protection:
- The AAP recommends that toddlers should remain rear-facing in a convertible or infant car seat until they have reached the maximum height and weight recommended for the model.
- A rear-facing child restraint supports the entire head, neck, and back in a head-on collision, decreasing the risk of cervical spine injury.
- In a head-on crash, the restraint cradles and moves with the child, reducing stress to the neck and spinal cord.
- It is the shell of the child restraint itself that absorbs the forces in a head-on crash.
Should my child remain rear facing or be moved to forward facing in their child restraint?