I’m a big supporter of extended rear-facing. Charlie just turned 3 and he is still rear-facing. He is about 39 inches tall and weighs about 34 lbs.
The car seat we have for Charlie is the Graco My Ride 65. We have 2 of them, one for Mommy’s car (a Dodge Journey) and one for Daddy’s car (a Ford Focus). We love them because Charlie has plenty of room and padding, plus he has two cup holders (snacks, small toys, cup, etc). Our favorite thing about this car seat is that Charlie can rear-face until he is 40 lbs. When he reaches that point, we’ll flip him around to forward-facing, where this car seat can accommodate up to 65 lbs.
In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics put out a new policy statement that children should rear-face until 2 years of age.
1. They’ll Break Their Legs
Even if this were true, I’d much rather have broken legs than a broken neck or back. I’ve heard this saying many times: “Broken leg, cast it. Broken neck, casket”. The thing is though, it’s really not any more true for rear-facing kids than it is if they are forward facing. In 2007, Crash Test data found that the rate of lower extremity injuries in rear-facing children was 1 per 1000 children and the rates for forward facing kids are within similar ranges.
2. They’re Not Comfortable
This is something I can’t even wrap my head around. I’m currently sitting in my living room chair with my feet propped up on the ottoman. Our children like to sit the same way- with their feet up. Who really likes their feet to dangle anyway? I can’t imagine going for a long ride and having my feet just hang there with nothing to rest on (and no, I don’t want them on the back of the seat while I’m driving). Charlie seems rather comfortable riding rear-facing, even with his legs extended way beyond the car seat.
These were all taken after Charlie turned 2, with the most recent being in December.
3. They Like Facing Forward Better
If you don’t turn them around, they won’t know any different. My mother has said multiple times something along the lines of “Poor Charlie, can’t see anything”. This kid sees everything. We’ll turn out of the neighborhood and he knows where we’re going, he sees things and asks us questions the entire time about everything he sees.
If your toddler is screaming in the car, it’s not necessarily because they’re rear-facing. Thinking of all the things Charlie has screamed about lately: I gave him the fish cup and he wanted the orange cup, I gave him the orange cup, he wanted strawberries, I gave him strawberries, it’s raining, his brother is crying, his brother is laughing, he got in trouble for picking his nose, he’s hungry, but most often: it’s because he’s 3 and his mood changes constantly.
4. Extended Rear-facing car seats are too expensive
The Graco My Ride 65 car seats that we have were bought on sale for right around $100. If you are planning to switch your child to forward facing, you need to purchase a new car seat anyway. You might as well get a convertible that allows for both. A very affordable option is the Cosco Scenera, they’ll run you around $60. These allow you to rear-face up to 40 lbs and forward face up to 40 lbs. Finding a seat within your budget should definitely be doable. You need a car seat for your child to ride in no matter what.
5. My kid is too big
Just about every convertible car seat (including the inexpensive ones: see #4) can accommodate bigger toddlers rear-facing until at least the age of 2. One of the main reasons the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended the minimum age of rear-facing to be 2 is that 95% of 24 month olds weigh 35 lbs or less. So even though your toddler is in the 90th percentile for weight, he’ll more than likely fit in a convertible seat that remains rear-facing.
Here’s a video that was made in 2007 (even before the AAP changed their recommendation to 2 years).
I’m not a car seat expert, but I have done my research. Charlie will outgrow his current seat in the rear-facing capacity soon, so he will be switched to forward face in the near future. However, because we invested in a convertible seat, we will not need to purchase another seat anytime soon. His Graco My Ride will forward face until he is 65 lbs. Whichever car seat you choose to use, please follow the car seat’s guidelines.
I know that the old-school way of doing things is hard to break, but I love the saying, “Know better, do better”! We know what a difference rear-facing can make if ever in an accident, so we can do better for our children now.
Stephanie Griffith says
People not protecting children in vehicles is one of my biggest complaints against parents that I see. I honestly want to smack the **** out of them every time I see a kid bouncing around unrestrained, or riding up front before the age of 12, or a booster seat under a toddler. Sharing this everywhere!
DIYDanielle says
Love our Radian XRT for both kids, the 2.5 yr old is 39″ tall and 34 lbs still rear facing with zero issues.
Claire@ALittleClaireification says
My three littles are too big now but love that there is discussion on newer better ways to protect these babies! We learn and adapt!
Robin Rue says
There is so much info about rear facing versus forward facing these days. It almost makes me glad that my boys are older now LOL 🙂
Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com says
This is great! ERF educating is so important and I see these excuses thrown around way too much because people don’t care or don’t want to take the time to do a bit of research! We don’t have a vehicle but ALL 6 of my kids have car seats just in case and my 3yo would still be RF with my 8 mo. Safest is best idk why people don’t care!
Renee Bigner says
This is great information for parents to have! Both my boys were super tall for their age, so I am not sure they would have made it two years, but they changed the law for a reason!
MamaMommyMom says
We loved our Britax seat for this very reason! It made extended rear facing so easy!
Veronica Solomon says
I never liked the idea of rear facing. My kids hated it too. But I always heard it was better. My kids are grown now and we don’t need to worry about that
Christina Shirley says
Do you mean still in an infant carrier? We don’t lug our seats around anywhere? They just stay in our cars.
PamIW says
This is great advice and it sounds like you know this topic well and have researched it. My kids are grown but this is great advice for grandparents too!
Artney (My Pretty Brown Blog) says
I was always curious to know more about rear facing. All that matters is that kids are safe. I’m glad to know that most of my concerns are myths.
debdenny says
That is really great that the one you have can go both ways. Very handy.
Krystyn says
I wish I had known about ERF for my older two. But, now my 25 month old is still rear facing and her 4 month old sister (obviously) as well!
Karen Koblan says
I’ve heard that extended rear facing is supposed to be safer. It’s good to know that they are comfortable.
Janel says
Your little guy definitely looks comfy. I like that more and more parents and caregivers are doing extended rear facing.
Carly says
Great video. I am proud of you for being so passionate about this and sharing your research.
Virginia @thatbaldchick says
Our youngest daughter exceeded the height limit on her infant seat by the time she was 9 months old. She’s in a rear facing carseat now, and it’s weight limit is 40 pounds. She’s in the 99th percentile at 26 pounds. I am hoping that we can make it at least until two years before we have to turn her because of the weight limit!
Krystal says
This is an important discussion to have. I can only hope parents read this and think about it!
Jenni E. says
Certainly an important discussion. I have a nephew, 2 brother in laws, and a brother who are cops. I’ve heard horror stories — from kids NOT being in car seats to kids being in car seats that were improperly installed.
Ashley M says
Great information to know. My toddler is in the 90th percentile and we always managed to make it work but it required a bit of research.
Lolo says
I kept my son rear facing for as long as possible. I think he was older than 3 when I finally turned it.
The Rebel Chick Jenn says
I’ll have to tell my sister about your post. She still has two little ones!