· By Britney Schroeder
Can Bigger Kids Stay Rear Facing Longer?
As parents, we love watching our kids reach milestones. It’s so exciting to see how much they have grown! But switching from rear facing to forward facing in the car seat isn’t a milestone you should rush. If you’re thinking “But my toddler is huge! There’s no way he can keep rear facing.” Hear me out! Your toddler can stay rear facing longer than you think.
Why Size Matters Less Than Limits
Rear facing helps protect a child’s body as it grows. The car seat shell cradles their head, neck, and spine in a crash. That way the car seat absorbs most of the crash forces instead of the child’s body.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids stay rear facing in their car seat until they reach the rear facing height or weight limit of their convertible car seat.
Even kids with long legs can still be rear facing safely! Kids will find a comfortable position for their legs. They could be criss-crossed, dangled over the side of their car seat, or resting on the vehicle seat. It might not look comfortable to us, but kids are much more flexible.
Best Car Seats For Tall Or Heavy Kids
If your child is at the top of the growth chart, look for a car seat with higher limits! These car seats rear face up to 50lbs, which can keep your larger child rear facing longer.
|
Convertibles (Rear and Forward Facing Modes Only) |
All-In-One Seats (Rear, Forward, and Booster modes) |
Rotating Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Britax Poplar | Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 | Evenflo Revolve360 Extend |
| Graco Extend2Fit | Nuna Exec | Evenflo Revolve360 Slim |
| Clek Foonf | Baby Jogger City Turn | |
| babyark Smart | ||
| Nuna Rava |
Signs It’s Time To Switch Forward
Generally there are three different ways to out outgrow a rear facing car seat. But every car seat has different rules, so always read your manual to know what your car seat says!
- Weight limit. If your car seat has a 50lb rear facing weight limit, your child has to turn forward once they hit that limit.
- Height limit. If your car seat has a rear facing height limit, your child has to turn forward once they hit that limit.
- Head height limit. Some car seat have a rule that the top of your child’s head has to be at least 1” below the top of the car seat shell. Turn your child forward if their head is less than an inch from the top of the car seat. Make sure the headrest is up as high as it can go when you check!
Remember: Turn your child forward facing once they reach ONE of these limits. Don’t wait for all three!
You can keep rear facing your big toddler if they are within the weight and height limits of their car seat. Try to give them as much time rear facing as you can so their body has extra protection while they grow.
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