Mom2MomPhilly

3/21/11
The American Academy of Pediatrics now states that children should ride rear-facing until they are 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their car seat.  They also state that children should sit in a booster seat until they are 4'9" and are between 8 and 12 years old.

Children who are rear-facing are less likely to sustain head, neck and spine injuries because the impact of a crash would be distributed over their entire body.  A 2007 study in the journal Injury Prevention showed that children under age 2 are 75 percent less likely to die or be severely injured in a crash if they are riding rear-facing.

For more information, read the online article, AAP Updates Recommendation on Car Seats.

Although I believe the AAP has reliable research to back up their recommendation, I can't imagine keeping my daughter Leah rear-facing until she was 2.  We waited until she was 15 months and even that was pushing it.  Having her forward-facing has made car rides so much more enjoyable (for Leah and us).  Obviously safety is more important than convenience and pleasure, but I really don't think we can put Leah's car seat rear-facing again.  I'll be honest- I did mention it to my husband who quickly said "no way we can turn Leah back around." Part of me wishes we had never put her car seat forward-facing because then I would follow the AAP's recommendation.  I am definitely a rule-follower, and I'm also a bit of a worrier.  I think my husband is right though, and for now, we'll keep Leah forward and say some extra prayers during our car rides!

So, I'm curious...will you keep your child rear-facing until 2? When did/will you move your child's car seat forward-facing?