· By Britney Schroeder
Which Convertible Car Seat is Best for Extended Rear Facing?
If you’ve ever heard that rear facing is safer but wondered why, you’re not alone! Let’s talk about how extended rear facing (rear facing past the minimums) helps keep kids safer in a crash.
Why is Rear Facing Longer Safer?
Babies and toddlers have large heads compared to the rest of their bodies. If you’ve ever asked a young kid to touch their hands together over their heads, you’ll notice they can’t even reach the top of their head with their arms (but as adults we can)!
In a crash, a child's larger head could put extra pressure on their spine, meaning more injuries. Rear facing car seats act like a turtle shell and keep their spines more protected. The car seat cradles their head, neck, and spine, meaning fewer injuries.
Keeping kids rear facing longer gives their bodies more time to grow and get stronger. If you’re following your state laws and car seat requirements, your child will be well protected in a crash.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says to keep children rear facing as long as possible. That means until they max out the rear facing height or weight of their convertible car seat. But any extra time you can give your child rear facing is great!
What are the Best Convertible Seats for Small Cars?
Having a smaller car doesn’t mean you’ll have to turn your kiddo forward facing earlier! These three car seats rear face up to 50lbs and make extended rear facing work, even in a smaller car.
The Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 car seat is a long lasting seat that will give you a lot of bang for your buck. At $280, it has machine washable fabrics, an extension panel for more leg room, and a booster mode. You probably won't be able to use the extension panel if you have a smaller car, but it is still a long lasting option!
The Britax Poplar is a narrow seat which makes it easier to fit 3 across! At $350 it has easy ClickTight installation and machine washable (and dryer safe!) fabrics with no added fire retardant chemicals. You can also buy an add-on Anti-Rebound Bar and a waterproof liner for potty training time.
The Nuna Rava is another great compact option if you want a luxurious convertible seat. It is $680 and has premium fabrics with no added fire retardants, a bubble-free recline, and calf support for more leg room. It’s a more expensive seat, but it will last your child quite a long time, both rear and forward facing!
What are the Most Affordable Long-Term Options for Extended Rear Facing?
At $250 the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible is an affordable way to do extended rear facing. It won’t fit in small vehicles as well as the 3-in-1 version, but it will keep kids rear facing up to 50lbs for a great price!
The Rear Facing Bottom Line
Extended rear facing helps protect your child's head, neck and spine while they grow. If your child is bigger, look for a car seat that has a 50lb rear facing limit so they can stay rear facing longer. Kids that are smaller can still do extended rear facing in a car seat with a 40lb rear facing weight limit.
Compare: Extended Rear Facing Car Seats That Fit Well in Small Cars
| Car Seat | Rear Facing Weight Limit | Price | Extra Features |
| Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 | 50lbs | $280 | Turns into a booster, extendable leg tray for extra rear facing leg room, no re-thread harness, machine washable (line dry) |
| Britax Poplar | 50lbs | $350 | Slim (17” wide), Anti-Rebound Bar accessory, easy ClickTight installation, waterproof liner accessory, no re-thread harness, machine wash and dry, no added fire retardant chemicals |
| Nuna Rava | 50lbs | $680 | Calf support for additional rear facing leg room, no re-thread harness, TrueTension door for easier installation, bubble-free recline adjuster, moisture wicking fabrics, machine washable (line dry) |
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