A public service program of:

Rear-Facing

Rear-facing car seats do a better job of protecting the head, neck, spine and back in the event of a crash. Infants are at a greater risk of injury because the spine and neck of a baby are still developing and their heads are so large in proportion to their bodies. The child is "cradled" in a rear-facing car seat protecting these important body parts, by distributing the crash forces over the entire body, according to Dr. Dennis Durbin, M.D., F.A.A.P., a pediatric emergency physician and recognized leader in pediatric trauma research.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children under the age of 2 remain in a rear-facing car seat until he/she reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer [1]. Children 2 and older should continue to ride rear-facing as long as possible.

Installing a Rear-Facing Infant Car Seat Using Your Vehicle's LATCH System

When purchasing a rear-facing car seat, there are different types available

Rear-Facing

Also called infant-only seats, that can only be used facing the rear of the vehicle.

Convertible

Can be used either rear or forward-facing. Convertible car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.

3-in-One

This type of seat can be used rear-facing, forward-facing and be used as a high back booster seat.

All-in-One

This type of seat can be used rear-facing, forward-facing and be used as a high back booster seat or backless booster seat.

All photos are for demonstration purposes only


"When it comes to car crashes, there are NO second chances. Every passenger must be buckled up; in a car seat or in a booster seat EVERY RIDE in order to have a fighting chance to survive a car crash."


- Jenny Harty
Child Passenger Safety Advocate & Mom

Stage 1

STAGE 1: REAR-FACING

Birth – Until at least 2 years old. Keep your child rear-facing until he or she reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. (Transition to the next stage at approx. age 2).

Remember rear-facing does a better job protecting the child's head, neck, spine and back in a crash.

There is no need to rush to move on to the next car seat or booster seat.

Children under age 2 should ALWAYS ride in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the car. Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat. Consult your vehicle owner's manual for further information.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children under the age of 2 should remain in a rear-facing car seat, and that children 2 and older should continue to ride rear-facing as long as possible, until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. [2]

"A rear-facing child safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash, because it distributes the force of the collision over the entire body", according to the AAP.

When purchasing a rear-facing car seat, please note that there are different types available:

  1. Rear-Facing Only (also called Infant-only seats) that can only be used facing the rear of the vehicle.
  2. Convertible car seats can be used either facing forward or rear. Convertible car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time than a rear-facing infant only car seat.
  3. All in One Car Seat. This type of seat can be used rear-facing, forward-facing and be used as a booster seat.

STAGE 1: REAR-FACING

Birth – Until at least 2 years old. Keep your child rear-facing until he or she reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. (Transition to the next stage at approx. age 2).

Remember rear-facing does a better job protecting the child's head, neck, spine and back in a crash.

There is no need to rush to move on to the next car seat or booster seat.

Children under age 2 should ALWAYS ride in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the car. Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat. Consult your vehicle owner's manual for further information.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children under the age of 2 should remain in a rear-facing car seat, and that children 2 and older should continue to ride rear-facing as long as possible, until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. [2]

"A rear-facing child safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash, because it distributes the force of the collision over the entire body", according to the AAP.

When purchasing a rear-facing car seat, please note that there are different types available:

  1. Rear-Facing Only (also called Infant-only seats) that can only be used facing the rear of the vehicle.
  2. Convertible car seats can be used either facing forward or rear. Convertible car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time than a rear-facing infant only car seat.
  3. All in One Car Seat. This type of seat can be used rear-facing, forward-facing and be used as a booster seat.

Your child could be at risk for being seriously injured if not properly restrained in a car seat or booster seat.

View All Stages

Parents!
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Rear-Facing Car Seat Guide

Installing a Rear-Facing Infant Car Seat Using Your Vehicle’s Seat Belt System

Car seats are improperly installed in 8 out of every 10 vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration[3] (NHTSA) . To ensure the best protection for your child, in the event of a sudden stop or crash, be sure that your car seat is tightly secured to your vehicle’s seat by using the vehicle’s seat belt system. Watch the easy-to-follow video, created by iRideSafe™, to help you properly install your rear-facing infant only car seat using the vehicle’s seat belt system.

Do NOT use both the vehicle’s seat belt system and LATCH system at the same time.

Before attempting to install any car seat, it’s important to always read the car seat owner's manual and the child restraint section in your vehicle owner's manual.

Installing a Rear-Facing Infant Car Seat Using Your Vehicle's Seat Belt System

Installing a Rear-Facing Infant Car Seat Using Your Vehicle's LATCH System

Installing a Rear-Facing Infant Car Seat Using Your Vehicle’s LATCH System

Car seats are improperly installed in 8 out of every 10 vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration[4] (NHTSA). To ensure the best protection for your child, in the event of a sudden stop or crash, be sure that your car seat is tightly secured to your vehicle’s seat by using the vehicle’s LATCH (Lower Anchor and Tethers for Children) system. Watch the easy-to-follow video, created by iRideSafe™, to help you properly install your rear-facing infant car seat using the LATCH system.

Do NOT use both the vehicle’s seat belt system and LATCH system at the same time.

Before attempting to install any car seat, it’s important to always read the car seat owner's manual and the child restraint section in your vehicle owner's manual.

All about LATCH

Properly Restraining Your Child in a Rear-Facing Infant Car Seat

Rear-Facing infant only car seats are designed to protect newborns and small babies. The infant only car seat is small and portable and can only be used rear-facing. Once the baby has outgrown their infant seat, it is recommended that parents purchase a convertible car seat, and use it rear-facing. It is best to keep your child rear-facing as long as possible, which could be until age 3. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

Note: A child's feet CAN touch the back of the vehicle seat. This is fine and does NOT indicate your child is too tall or big for rear-facing.

Watch the easy-to-follow video, created by iRideSafe™, to help you properly secure your child in a rear-facing infant car seat.

Make sure to....

  • Make sure that the harness straps are ALWAYS tight on your child. After you buckle your child into their car seat you should not be able to pinch any slack out of the webbing.
  • When riding rear-facing the harness straps should be located at or BELOW your child’s shoulders.
  • The retainer clip should line up with your child’s armpits, never over their soft tummies.

Properly Restraining Your Child in a Rear-Facing Infant Car Seat


Protect your smallest passengers. It's important to always have your child properly restrained up until the age of eight (8) while traveling the streets, highways, and byways. In Georgia, it's the law[5].

Protecting Your Youngest Passengers

  • Once installed, car seats should not move more than an inch from the left to the right, testing at the belt path location.
  • Rear-facing car seats should never be placed in front of a vehicle’s active airbag.
  • Children should remain rear-facing until they have reached the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
  • Children under age 2 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the car.
  • Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for further information.

Important Safety Tips

  • To secure your car seat to your vehicle’s seat, do not use both the vehicle seat belt and LATCH system at the same time. For More LATCH instructions, visit NHTSA.gov/Safety/LATCH
  • For proper installation information, always refer to your car seat owner’s manual and your vehicle owner’s manual.
  • Register your car seat or booster seat to ensure that you are notified about any recalls. You can register online at safercar.gov using the information found on the sticker on your car seat or booster seat. You can also register by filling out and mailing the registration card that came with your car seat or booster.
  • Check the expiration date on the car seat before installing. Never use an expired seat. It may not meet current federal standards and could have recalled parts that are not safe for your child.
  • Avoid using a second-hand or used car seat or one that has been involved in a crash. They may be expired or damaged, and can compromise your child’s safety.
  • Never hold a child in your lap while riding, or place them in the front seat of a vehicle, as it could put your child’s life in serious danger in the event of a crash.

Additional Resources

Your child’s safety is important to us! Please make sure they are always buckled up and in the appropriate car seat. Below are some additional resources to help keep your family safe on the road.


Email: [email protected]
Call: 404-529-6333 Ext. 375

Next Steps

Every parent looks forward to their child’s next developmental milestone, but rushing to turn a car seat forward-facing should not be one of them. While some recommendations to turn your child around are based on age only, the decision should be based on your child’s height and weight. All children grow at different rates, so don’t worry if your child is age 3 before they are ready to face forward.

Stage 1

STAGE 1: REAR-FACING

Birth – Until at least 2 years old. Keep your child rear-facing until he or she reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. (Transition to the next stage at approx. age 2).

Remember rear-facing does a better job protecting the child's head, neck, spine and back in a crash.

There is no need to rush to move on to the next car seat or booster seat.

Children under age 2 should ALWAYS ride in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the car. Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat. Consult your vehicle owner's manual for further information.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children under the age of 2 should remain in a rear-facing car seat, and that children 2 and older should continue to ride rear-facing as long as possible, until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. [2]

"A rear-facing child safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash, because it distributes the force of the collision over the entire body", according to the AAP.

When purchasing a rear-facing car seat, please note that there are different types available:

  1. Rear-Facing Only (also called Infant-only seats) that can only be used facing the rear of the vehicle.
  2. Convertible car seats can be used either facing forward or rear. Convertible car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time than a rear-facing infant only car seat.
  3. All in One Car Seat. This type of seat can be used rear-facing, forward-facing and be used as a booster seat.

STAGE 1: REAR-FACING

Birth – Until at least 2 years old. Keep your child rear-facing until he or she reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. (Transition to the next stage at approx. age 2).

Remember rear-facing does a better job protecting the child's head, neck, spine and back in a crash.

There is no need to rush to move on to the next car seat or booster seat.

Children under age 2 should ALWAYS ride in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat of the car. Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat. Consult your vehicle owner's manual for further information.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children under the age of 2 should remain in a rear-facing car seat, and that children 2 and older should continue to ride rear-facing as long as possible, until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. [6]

"A rear-facing child safety seat does a better job of supporting the head, neck and spine of infants and toddlers in a crash, because it distributes the force of the collision over the entire body", according to the AAP.

When purchasing a rear-facing car seat, please note that there are different types available:

  1. Rear-Facing Only (also called Infant-only seats) that can only be used facing the rear of the vehicle.
  2. Convertible car seats can be used either facing forward or rear. Convertible car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time than a rear-facing infant only car seat.
  3. All in One Car Seat. This type of seat can be used rear-facing, forward-facing and be used as a booster seat.

Birth – Until at least 2 years old. Keep your child rear-facing until he or she reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. (Transition to the next stage at approx. age 2)

More Info

Stage 2

STAGE 2: FORWARD-FACING

2 years old (approx.) – Until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. (Average transition to the next stage is at approx. age 5).

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "all infants and toddlers ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are 2 years of age or until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer." [7]

Once your child has outgrown the rear-facing car seat, he or she should ride in a forward-facing car seat, in the backseat, and until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit according to the forward-facing car seat manufacturer. Remember that with every step forward there is a reduction in the level of protection and safety, so don’t rush to the next stage.

Types of forward-facing seats include: forward-facing convertible, combination car seats and all-in-one. Whichever type you select, be sure to check the height and weight limits to ensure the proper usage for your child.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 3 out of every 4 car seats are not properly secured [8]. Don’t take any chances! Get to know your car seat.

Protect your smallest passengers. It's important to always have your child properly restrained in a car seat or booster seat until the age of eight (8) while traveling on the streets, highways, and byways. In Georgia, it's the law. [9]

2 years old (approx.) – Until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. (Average transition to the next stage is at approx. age 5)

More Info

Stage 3

STAGE 3: BOOSTER SEAT

5 years old (approx.) – Age 8. Children under the age of 8 are required by law to ride in a car seat or booster seat appropriate for their height and weight, unless the parent has written documentation that the child is over 4’9” (57 inches).

Your child is ready for a booster seat once they have reached the maximum height or weight limit for his or her forward-facing car seat. Remember that with every step forward there is a reduction in the level of protection and safety. So don't rush to the next stage.

Georgia law requires that all children under the age of 8 whose height is less than 4'9" (57 inches) are required to be in either a car seat or a booster seat suitable for their age, height and weight and must ride in the backseat of a vehicle.

When using a booster seat, make sure the lap and shoulder belt fits properly. The lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the child's neck or face.

Many booster seats have a weight range starting at 30-40 pounds, with a maximum weight of 80-100+ pounds. The National Child Passenger Safety Board [10] recommends keeping your child in a booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits your child properly, and he or she is mature enough to sit without slouching for the entire ride.

5 years old (approx.) – Age 8. Children under the age of 8 are required by law to ride in a car seat or booster seat appropriate for their height and weight, unless the parent has written documentation that the child is over 4’9” (57 inches).

More Info

Stage 4

STAGE 4: SEAT BELT ONLY

Age 8 and at least 4’9” (57 inches) per Georgia law, provided the seat belt fits properly without the use of a booster seat.

Children can transition from a booster seat to using a lap and shoulder belt only when they have reached age 8 and are at least 4’9” (57 inches) tall, as long as the seat belt fits properly.

For a seat belt to fit properly, the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face.

The child must be able to sit with their back and hips against the vehicle seat back, their knees bent easily over the front edge of the seat, and sit in position without slouching for the entire ride.

Remember: children ages 12 and under should ride in the back seat. According to the CDC, airbags can kill young children riding in the front seat.

Buckling up is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself in the event of a crash.

Age 8 and at least 4’9” (57 inches) per Georgia law, provided the seat belt fits properly without the use of a booster seat.

More Info

Download our printable guidelines

Download

What else should you know about child passenger safety?

Rear-Facing
Car Seat Safety

Forward-Facing
Car Seat Safety

Booster
Seat Safety

Seat Belt
Safety

Georgia Laws

American Academy of Pediatrics. AAP Updates Recommendation of Car Seats. March 21, 2011. (cited 2016 December 15)

https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-Updates-Recommendation-on-Car-Seats.aspx

Governor's Office of Highway Safety in Georgia. (cited 2016 December 15)

http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/campaigns/child-passenger-safety/

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Putting Children First. November 2000 (cited 2016 December 15)

http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SR0002.pdf

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Putting Children First. November 2000 (cited 2016 December 15)

http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SR0002.pdf

American Academy of Pediatrics. AAP Updates Recommendation of Car Seats. March 21, 2011. (cited 2016 December 15)

https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-Updates-Recommendation-on-Car-Seats.aspx

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (cited December 20, 2016)

https://one.nhtsa.gov/Driving-Safety/Child-Safety-at-Parents-Central/Child-Passenger-Safety-%28CPS%29-%E2%80%93-LATCH

Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia. (cited 2016 December 15)

http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/campaigns/child-passenger-safety/

National Child Passenger Safety Board (cited 2016)

http://cpsboard.org/


References

1

American Academy of Pediatrics. AAP Updates Recommendation of Car Seats. March 21, 2011. (cited 2016 December 15)

https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-Updates-Recommendation-on-Car-Seats.aspx

1

American Academy of Pediatrics. AAP Updates Recommendation of Car Seats. March 21, 2011. (cited 2016 December 15)

https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-Updates-Recommendation-on-Car-Seats.aspx

3

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Putting Children First. November 2000 (cited 2016 December 15)

http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SR0002.pdf

4

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Putting Children First. November 2000 (cited 2016 December 15)

http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Documents/SR0002.pdf

5

Governor's Office of Highway Safety in Georgia. (cited 2016 December 15)

http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/campaigns/child-passenger-safety/

1

American Academy of Pediatrics. AAP Updates Recommendation of Car Seats. March 21, 2011. (cited 2016 December 15)

https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-Updates-Recommendation-on-Car-Seats.aspx

7

American Academy of Pediatrics. AAP Updates Recommendation of Car Seats. March 21, 2011. (cited 2016 December 15)

https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-Updates-Recommendation-on-Car-Seats.aspx

8
9

Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia. (cited 2016 December 15)

http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/campaigns/child-passenger-safety/

10

National Child Passenger Safety Board (cited 2016)

http://cpsboard.org/

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