**I am VERY happy to say that it is now the new recommendation from the "experts" and Academy of Pediatrics to keep your baby rearfacing until AT LEAST 2 yrs of age. YAYYYYY!!!** So, now the answer is....BECAUSE IT'S THE LAW.
When a child is in a forward-facing seat, there is tremendous stress put on the child's neck, which must hold the large head back. The mass of the head of a small child is about 25% of the body mass whereas the mass of the adult head is only 6%! A small child's neck sustains massive amounts of force in a crash. The body is held back by the straps while the head is thrown forward - stressing, stretching or even breaking the spinal cord. The child's head is at greater risk in a forward-facing seat as well. In a crash, the head is thrown outside the confines of the seat and can make dangerous contact with other occupants, vehicle structures, and even intruding objects, like trees or other vehicles.
Rear-facing seats do a phenomenal job of protecting children because there is little or no force applied to the head, neck and spine. When a child is in a rear-facing seat, the head, neck and spine are all kept fully aligned and the child is allowed to "ride down" the crash while the back of the child restraint absorbs the bulk of the crash force. The head is contained within the restraint, and the child is much less likely to come into contact with anything that might cause head injury.
It breaks my heart when I hear of parents forward facing their child too soon. For many parents, they consider forward facing their child to be a "milestone" and because of this way of thinking, many children are needlessly injured.
Notice the difference on the stress of the child's body in the two crash test photos below
Won't my child be uncomfortable? Where do his legs go?
Many parents have the misconception that children are uncomfortable or at risk for leg injury by having their legs up on the vehicle seat or bent when kept rear-facing. These concepts are completely incorrect. First, children are more flexible than adults so what we perceive as uncomfortable is not for children. Think about how your child sits in everyday play. Do they sit with their legs straight out in front of them? When they sit on the couch, do they purposely sit so their legs dangle out over the edge? No. In real, everyday life, toddlers and preschoolers CHOSE to sit with their legs folded up - that IS comfort to them.
Second, there is not a single documented case of children's legs, hips, etc. breaking or being injured in a crash due to longer rear-facing. There are plenty of cases of head and neck injury in forward-facing children that could have been prevented if the child had remained rear-facing. However, even if a leg or hip were broken or injured, it can be fixed. A damaged spinal cord (from forward-facing too soon) cannot be repaired and subjects the child to lifelong disability or death.
Autopsy reports have shown that children under 2 years old are at 4 times the risk of Internal Decapitation when forward facing. What is Internal Decapitation??
Wikipedia says this:
Internal decapitation, orthopedic decapitation, describes the rare process by which the skull separates from the spinal column during severe head injury. This injury is nearly always fatal, since it usually involves nerve damage or severance of the spinal cord. Hanging relies on allowing the subject to break their neck under their own weight.
Here is a video of a 9 yr old boy who miraculously survived internal decapitation
What if I am hit from behind? Won't my child be safer forward facing?
Frontal and side impacts are the most common type of crashes. They account for 96% of all crashes. They are also the most deadly type of crashes (especially side impacts) and rear-facing children have MUCH more protection in both types of crashes than forward-facing. In the 4% of rear impact crashes that a rear-facing child would be in, they have at least the same amount of protection that a FF child would have in a frontal impact, with the added benefit of less crash energy being transferred to them, and the fact that the rear impact is usually not as severe.
The forces in a rear impact crash are much different from the forces in a frontal impact crash. In a frontal impact, the forces are much greater because the vehicles are usually traveling in opposite directions. Experts suggest that a frontal crash is the same as hitting a concrete barrier the vehicle and all occupants come to a dead stop within less than 1 second.
When you are struck in a rear impact, the vehicles involved are traveling in the same direction, and the vehicle that is hit in the back has room to move forward. The crash force on the occupants is much less than in a frontal impact. The movement of the impacted vehicle, in addition to the crush zone, absorbs a lot of the crash energy, so it is not transferred to the child. Additionally, the majority of rear impacts are at low speeds.
In short, if your child is rear-facing, he has optimal protection in the types of crashes you are most likely to be in. If he is forward-facing, he may have optimal protection in a rear-end crash, but statistically, that is the least likely to happen and he is 60% more likely to be injured or killed in the types of crashes (frontal, side impact) you are most likely to be in.
You can learn more about the physics of rear facing at Car Seat Safety.org
Then, here is the SAME 12 month old forward facing
The heartbreaking but very sobering story of baby Joel
Here are a few links to support keeping your child rear facing for as long as possible.
AAP Car Seat Recommendations
MSNBC: Toddlers Should Rear Face Longer
Rear Facing Carseats and Safety
Evenflo: Why Children Should Travel Rear Facing
Evenflo: Should My Child Remain Rear Facing or Be Moved Forward Facing?
..a child should remain rear-facing for as long as possible...even beyond their first birthday, increasing their protection until they are 30 to 35 lbs. - Dr. Michael Sachs, Pediatrician and Child Passenger Safety Expert
Convertible Car Seat Models for Extended Rear Facing
The following models all have above average height and/or weight limits for rear-facing use. These may allow children to face the rear for safety longer than many other models. Also listed are the rear-facing weight limits according to the manufacturer. Most of these models are taller than average, with the possible exception of the Cosco Scenera that is listed primarily as a value option. Please verify these yourself in case of errors. Please note that nearly all convertibles can be used for extended rear-facing beyond 20 pounds and models not listed may have ratings similar to the examples below.
Britax Marathon/Decathlon/Boulevard/Advocate (33 or 35 lbs)
Learning Curve / Compass True Fit (35 lbs)Cosco Alpha Omega Elite (35 lbs)
Sunshine Kids Radian (65, 80 or XT) (35 lbs)
Graco MyRide 65 (40 lbs)
Evenflo Triumph Advance (35lbs)
Evenflo Titan Elite (35 lbs)
Cosco Scenera (35 lbs)
Rear Facing Height Limits
Parents have heard many guidelines about the height limits for rear-facing child seats. Many are familiar with the "1-inch" rule that says a child is too tall if the top of their head is within an inch of the top of the shell. Others are familiar with guidelines that allow the top of the head to be even with the top of the shell, or even the top of the ears being even with the top of the shell. Which is the right one? Depending on the situation, all these recommendations can be correct. Some general guidelines:
- The most important rule is to follow any height limit given by the manufacturer of your child seat, usually listed in the owner's manual. These limits are to be followed above any general guidelines below.
- The "1-inch" rule is a general guideline to determine when to move a child from a rear-facing infant carrier to a rear-facing convertible. It is NOT a conservative guideline to determine when to turn a child front-facing.
- An appropriate height guideline to determine when a child is too tall for a rear-facing convertible is when the top of their head reaches the top of the shell. Make sure to measure to the top of the hard shell and not the fabric cover that may appear be taller. If your seat has an adjustable head support (like the Britax Boulevard or the Cosco Alpha Omega/3-in-1), then the top of the head support is the important level if it extends beyond the main shell.
- Some manufacturers state other limits. For example, some Britax convertibles may list a rear-facing limit that allows the top of the child's ears to be at the top of the shell. Such limits are acceptable only for those models listed by the manufacturer or in the owner's manual.
- If a manufacturer's limit seems to conflict with one of these general guidelines, please contact the manufacturer for instructions.
I understand that the safety of a child in his/her carseat is ultimately the parents decision. However, I can do my job by providing the information to you so that you may make an educated decision for the well being of your child. I want your children just as safe as you do. You can read my story "What I've Learned Through the Years" and see why I no longer have the "it won't happen to me" attitude, because it can. I have learned to not taking ANYTHING for granted and I vowed to protect my children to the best of my abilities. Gaining the knowledge of the safety on "extended rear facing" is something so simple that could potentially change your world. Give your child this gift.
DID YOU KNOW
DID YOU KNOW... putting your child in the car is the most dangerous thing your child does everyday?
DID YOU KNOW... motor vehicle accidents are the number 1 killer of children?
DID YOU KNOW... according to a recent NHTSA study, 3 out of 4 kids are not as secure in the car as they should be because their car seats are not being used correctly?
DID YOU KNOW... you should replace your seat if involved in a car crash?
DID YOU KNOW... you can keep your little one rear facing past the age of 1 year old and 20 pounds? Your child would be 75% less likely to die or be seriously injured and it will give your child optimal protection?
DID YOU KNOW... the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) is now recommending children stay rear facing AT LEAST to the age of 2 years old and 30 pounds?
DID YOU KNOW... children under the age of 5 in booster seats are more likely to experience head and abdominal injuries than their harnessed counterparts?
DID YOU KNOW... children should remain harnessed until they are mature enough & big enough to sit in a booster, which is typically around age 6 or 7?
DID YOU KNOW... a child should stay in a booster till the age of 8 years old OR 4 feet 9 inches?
DID YOU KNOW... children should not ride in the front seat (especially RF children), when a back seat is available, until atleast age 13?
DID YOU KNOW... you should not use both the latch and seat belt to install your car seat?
DID YOU KNOW... you should never buy a used car seat from someone you do not know?
DID YOU KNOW... car seats expire?
DID YOU KNOW... there is not a "BEST" car seat out on the market, the BEST car seat is one that fits your child and your car. It is not a one size fits all?
DID YOU KNOW... last but not least, you should NEVER use a seat over the weight limit? Also they have outgrown the car seat rear facing when there is less than 1 inch of hard shell above their head and when forward facing the child has outgrown the seat when the top USEABLE harness slots are coming from behind the shoulders or the op of the child's ears are above the top of the shell (whichever comes first.
