Rear-Facing Infant Seats

When to Use a Rear-Facing Infant Seat
The baby’s weight, length, age and development are the four factors to consider when using a rear-facing infant seat. Use a rear-facing infant seat until the baby is the weight and length listed on the car seat instructions. In addition to the weight and length specifications, the baby must be kept rear-facing until he or she is one year of age and 10 kg (22 lbs) and can walk. Do not rush to move your baby forward-facing. A baby under one year of age will have to be moved into a rear-facing convertible car seat if he or she has reached the maximum weight limit of the infant car seat.

Most infant seats will safely restrain a baby up to 10 kgs (22 lbs.). For heavier babies who have not yet reached one year of age, use an infant/child convertible car seat allowing a heavier weight in the rear-facing position.

Why Rear-Facing Infant Seats Are Necessary
Babies have large heads and weak neck and back muscles. Infant seats face “backwards” so that the force of a crash or sudden stop is spread across the baby’s back and supported by the car seat. A baby’s neck and back muscles are not strong enough to withstand forces during a crash and thus must be supported by the seat.

Always check the seat’s instructions for for specific weight and height restrictions.