The American Academy of Pediatrics has new recommendations in regards to children and car seats. Here are the highlights:
- It is now recommended to keep infants/toddlers rear-facing until they are 2 years old (Check the height/weight limit of your current car seats because you never want to go over that limit. If you are above the car seat limit, it's time to invest on a new one.)
- Children must be in booster seats until they are 4 foot 9 inches tall.
- Children should not ride in the front seat until they are 13.
This is quite a change, yet nothing new. More and more mothers are already deciding to keep their children rear-facing longer than the previous 1 year old recommendation. Today, the AAP supports this decision.
With my oldest, we followed the 1 year recommendation before turning him around. With my twins, I kept them rear-facing a bit longer because they were on the small side because they were preemies. With #4 who is about to turn 1 year old, we are definitely going to keep him backwards until 2. It is better to be safe than sorry.
