AAP Now Recommends Rear Facing up to 2 years of age

[FrugalMommie]

Check out the link to the new AAP announcement.

http://babyproducts.about.com/b/2009/04/02/aap-to-change-rear-facing-car-seat-recommendations.htm

I'm glad for the change. While it is less convenient for us parents it is much safer for our little ones! :-)

Janette

[Joolsplus2]

:wavey:
Hi! Thanks for sharing :). I notice that the original post was edited for clarification, they didn't change the recommendations, it was just a separate news piece. http://aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/30/4/12-a What their recommendations actually are, and have been, since 2002, is to keep kids rearfacing to the limits of the convertible seat, as long as the weight limit is not exceeded and the head is below the top of the seatback. For most kids that's from age 3-5 in any larger seat, now that 3 models go to 40 pounds rearfacing and two of those (Radian and Complete Air) have seatbacks that are tall enough for kids age 4+ :thumbsup:

I usually find it somewhat more convenient to have my kids rearfacing (more comfy for them, with greater sleep and leg support than forward facing), no seatback kicking, no back seat driving, no demands for my lipstick and gum, that I keep them RF as long as possible (4.5 on the lower weight limit Marathon of yesteryear, and my current 3.5 year old has another 5 pounds to go in a Radian, which will take her to at least age 4...she's heavier than dd1!). In our smaller sedans and SUV's we've only made it to about age 3 RF, though, it's just too much toddler origami to fold them up to buckle them, lol.

The next safest thing you can do after your child must go forward facing is to ALWAYS use a top tether (all seats have them, and anchors can be added to cars older than 2000), and if you can afford it, choose a seat with good Side Impact Protection-- deep headwings and EPP/EPS foam: Side Impacts are the most deadly kind of crash for children who are forward facing.