How Long Do They Rear-Face?

Question

Is it by age or weight? I've been told 2 years old, but my son is a big kiddo. He's already 1 and 28lbs. I was wondering if weight plays a role?

Answer

They HAVE to rear face until 1 year old *and* 22 pounds by law if you are in the U.S. After that they can forward or rear face in a convertible.
It is recommended that you rear face until at least 2 or longer if they still meet the requirements to rear face in their seat. This is based on age not weight because their spines are not fully ossified until age 4. In a crash if forward facing too young, their spinal cord could tear due to the force of the crash ("internal decapitation") regardless of how heavy they are. If you are interested in a seat that works for big kiddos many convertible seats rear face to 40 or 50 pounds. My seat is the Graco Extend2Fit which gives extra legroom for my big guy and lasts to 50 pounds rear facing 😊 but seats like the cosco scenera next ($45) can also RF for a long time!

Answer

I've always read to keep them rear facing as long as possible for safety reasons.

Answer

My 20 month old is 35 pounds and still rear facing. When he's two I'll consider forward facing him.

Answer

Weight not age

How Long Do They Rear-Face?

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