In my family, my commitment to extended rear-facing car seats was often met with polite skepticism, much like my decision to limit screen time or my children’s dietary restrictions (which are, in fact, real). While many family members transitioned their kids to forward-facing seats by the age of one—long before the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended rear-facing until at least two—some parents held out until the new guidelines were widely known.
However, my research through organizations such as Car Seats for the Littles and The Car Seat Expert revealed compelling evidence: riding rear-facing can be up to five times safer than forward-facing. The British Journal of Medicine even published an article in June 2009 indicating that children should remain rear-facing until they are at least four years old. Yes, you read that correctly: four years old.
My children remained rear-facing until they reached ages five, four, and four—one was quite petite, while another was average-sized. They were notably the last of their peers to make the switch. At one point, I had three rear-facing seats in the back of my car. Once my eldest was turned around, I had two, and it remained that way for two years.
Sure, their legs grew longer, and they often crossed them. But we didn’t worry about any potential injuries in the event of a crash. Allana Green, a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, reassured me, stating, “We don’t see statistics of rear-facing children breaking their legs. They are more flexible than adults and usually find it quite comfortable.”
Initially, they did cry when placed in rear-facing seats—mainly due to issues like reflux and their inability to see me. A strategically placed mirror helped, along with some medication for the reflux. By the time they turned one, however, the crying had largely subsided, and they were mostly content during car rides, aside from the occasional need for snacks or toys.
Since they were accustomed to riding rear-facing, they had no other experiences to compare it to. Thankfully, they never experienced car sickness, and most importantly, I felt assured that they were as safe as possible in the event of an accident.
How Much Safer is Rear-Facing?
Just how much safer is rear-facing compared to forward-facing? A significant amount. As noted by the BMJ, “Excessive stretching or even transection of the spinal cord can occur if a child is involved in a head-on collision while in a forward-facing car seat.” This means that in the event of a head-on crash, a forward-facing child’s head can whip forward and back violently, risking serious injuries to the neck, including internal decapitation, which can lead to paralysis or even death. This vulnerability is partly due to children’s proportionally larger heads compared to their spinal cords, making it harder for them to support their heads effectively.
In side-impact collisions, rear-facing children are four times safer than those who are forward-facing, according to experts. The leading cause of death for children aged 2-15 in the United States is accidents, with car crashes accounting for a quarter of these fatalities. Interestingly, in Sweden, a country known for its low traffic death rates, children are kept rear-facing until a minimum of four years old.
As Allana Green explains, “When a child is rear-facing, the entire shell of the car seat safeguards the head, neck, and spine during a frontal collision, making it the safest position for all types of accidents.”
Addressing Concerns
If a parent is hesitant about keeping their child rear-facing beyond two years, Green suggests starting a conversation to understand their reservations. She emphasizes the importance of providing information to help them make informed choices. “I often suggest thinking in terms of good, better, and best options. Turning a child around at two doesn’t make them a bad parent; it’s about investing in their child’s safety.”
Ultimately, the best practice, supported by data, is to keep children rear-facing until at least age four or until they reach the height or weight limits of their car seat. Parents can research various seats that offer extended rear-facing capabilities.
Despite the odd looks from relatives and friends, I have no regrets about prioritizing my children’s safety. Their well-being was my primary concern, and that’s what truly matters.
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Summary
Keeping children in rear-facing car seats until at least age four can significantly reduce the risk of injury in an accident. Research indicates that this position provides superior protection for young children’s heads, necks, and spines during collisions. Parents are encouraged to prioritize safety over societal norms and invest in the best practices for their children’s well-being.