Full Circle Midwifery

Keep your toddler in a rear-facing car seat until age 2 (not 1)
©2009 American Academy of Pediatrics. This information may be freely copied and distributed with proper attribution.

April 2009      www.aapnews.org
New research indicates that toddlers are more than five times safer riding rear-facing in a car safety seat up to their second birthday. Following are some safety tips for car seat
use:
• All infants should ride rear-facing in either an infant car seat or convertible seat.
• If an infant car seat is used, the infant should be switched to a rear-facing convertible
car seat once the maximum height (when the infant’s head is within 1 inch of the top
of the seat) and weight (usually 22 pounds to 32 pounds) have been reached for that
infant seat as suggested by the car seat manufacturer.
• Toddlers should remain rear-facing in a convertible car seat until they have reached the
maximum height and weight recommended for the model, or at least the age of 2.
• To see if your car seat is installed properly and to find a certified passenger safety
technician in your area, visit www.seatcheck.org or www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cps-
fit ting/index.cfm. You also can call 866-SEATCHECK (866-732-8243) or 888-327-4236.
— Lori O’Keefe