Q+A: When Should I Turn My Baby's Car Seat to Face Forward?

A. The American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation has been to keep a child in a rear-facing seat until she's at least 1 year and 20 pounds. But a new study has found that it's five times safer for your 1-year-old to ride facing backward than forward. In light of this new research, experts now recommend that you keep your toddler's convertible car seat facing backward until she reaches the seat's height and weight limits for the rear position (usually 36 inches and 30 to 35 pounds).

Source: The editors of Parents magazine

Copyright © 2008. Used with permission from the June 2008 issue of Parents magazine.

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