In the realm of parenting, certain choices can spark debate among family members. For instance, my extended family viewed my commitment to keeping my children in rear-facing car seats as an eccentricity, akin to my ban on sugary cereals and my insistence that my kids avoid yellow food dye—ironically, they have allergies. While many relatives were quick to transition their little ones to forward-facing seats by the time they turned one, I held firm, even in light of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations advocating for rear-facing travel until the age of two.
My decision was grounded in thorough research from reputable sources such as Car Seats for The Littles and The Car Seat Lady. They emphasized that rear-facing seats can be up to five times safer than their forward-facing counterparts, with a June 2009 article from the British Medical Journal suggesting that children should remain rear-facing until at least four years of age. Yes, you read that correctly: four years old.
My kids remained rear-facing until they were, respectively, a petite five, a mid-sized four, and another average four-year-old. They were among the last in their friend group to transition to forward-facing seats. For a brief period, I juggled three rear-facing car seats in the back of my vehicle. Once my eldest made the switch, I was left with two rear-facing seats for a couple of years.
Admittedly, their legs grew long, and they crossed them in the car. But the notion that they would sustain injuries in a crash due to their leg position was unfounded. Allana Johnson, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and Global Safety Advocate for Diono, reassured me that “We do not see statistics of rear-facing children breaking their legs. Children are more flexible and pliable than adults, and they are actually very comfortable rear-facing.”
As babies, they occasionally cried while rear-facing, primarily due to reflux and their inability to see me. A strategically placed mirror helped alleviate some of their distress, along with reflux medication. However, by the time they hit the one-year mark, the crying phase was behind us. They were generally content in the car unless boredom or basic needs arose (a snack, a diaper change, or some attention). Non-chokable snacks, juice boxes, sticker books, and toys kept them entertained.
For my children, rear-facing was their norm, and they had no basis for comparison. Notably, they never experienced car sickness, and most importantly, I knew they were as secure as possible in the event of a collision.
How Much Safer is Rear-Facing?
So how much safer is rear-facing compared to forward-facing? Significantly safer. The British Medical Journal points out that “Excessive stretching or even transection of the spinal cord can result if a child is involved in a head-on crash while in a forward-facing car seat.” This means that during a frontal collision, a forward-facing child’s head can whip forward and then snap back, potentially leading to severe neck injuries, including internal decapitation, where the spinal cord detaches from the brain. Such injuries can result in paralysis or even death, largely because children’s heads are proportionally larger than their spinal cords, making it difficult for them to stabilize their heads.
Even in side-impact crashes, rear-facing children are four times safer than those facing forward, according to The Car Seat Lady. In the United States, accidents are the leading cause of death for children aged two to fifteen, with a quarter of those fatalities resulting from car crashes. Conversely, in Sweden—where children remain rear-facing until at least four years of age—child deaths and injuries from car accidents are nearly non-existent, highlighting the effectiveness of this practice.
Essentially, as Johnson puts it, “When a child rides rear-facing, the entire shell of the car seat protects the head, neck, and spinal column during a frontal collision. It is the optimal position for all types of collisions.”
Addressing Parental Concerns
When questioned about parents who are hesitant to keep their children rear-facing beyond the age of two, Johnson thoughtfully responds, “I would ask them why they are reluctant. There could be many reasons. Then, I provide them with the necessary information to make an informed decision. I present a rating scale of good, better, and best. Turning them around at two doesn’t make them a bad parent. I emphasize that they are investing in their child’s safety by making the best choices.”
The best choice, according to the data, is to keep children rear-facing until they reach at least four years of age or until they exceed the height or weight limits of their car seat. To discover which seats allow for the longest rear-facing use, conduct your own research.
Despite the curious glances I received from family and friends, I’m grateful I prioritized my children’s safety for as long as possible. Their well-being was my ultimate concern.
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Summary: Keeping children in rear-facing car seats until at least four years of age significantly enhances their safety in vehicles. Research indicates that this practice can provide up to five times more protection than forward-facing seats, particularly in the event of accidents. While some parents may feel pressured to transition their children sooner, data supports the benefits of extended rear-facing travel.
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