Photo: HealthyChildren.org
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its recommendations regarding rear-facing car seats for toddlers, which, until now, were thought to be ideal until the age of 2.
Under the new guidelines, which will be published in the November issue of Pediatrics, parents are urged to keep their children in a rear-facing car safety seat (CSS) for “as long as possible.” The age limit has been removed and the only condition that has to be met before transitioning to a forward-facing seat is the need for a different-category seat, depending on the child’s height and weight.
All studies point to the fact that a child is more protected in a CSS in case of an impact. Protection decreases as the child transitions to a forward-facing one, then to a booster, and then to the seatbelt, the AAP notes.
The change in recommendations comes after car seat manufacturers have made available CSSs that allow heavier and taller toddlers, Benjamin Hoffman, MD, FAAP, and chair of the AAP Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention, says.
“It’s best to keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. This is still the safest way for children to ride,” Hoffman says.
“Car crashes remain a leading cause of death for children,” he continues. “Over the last 10 years, four children [14 and younger] died each day. We hope that by helping parents and caregivers use the right car safety seat for each and every ride that we can better protect kids and prevent tragedies.”
All children under 13 must be restrained in a car seat for their weight and height, the AAP recommends. A CSS can be used up until 4 years of age, after which a transition can be made to a forward-facing seat.
Between the ages of 8 and 12, children can travel with a “belt-positioning booster seat,” which will be removed after the age of 13, when their only protection in case of a crash is offered by the seatbelt.
Hoffman also uses the opportunity to warn parents that children should be restrained at all times, no matter the duration of the car ride.
All studies point to the fact that a child is more protected in a CSS in case of an impact. Protection decreases as the child transitions to a forward-facing one, then to a booster, and then to the seatbelt, the AAP notes.
The change in recommendations comes after car seat manufacturers have made available CSSs that allow heavier and taller toddlers, Benjamin Hoffman, MD, FAAP, and chair of the AAP Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention, says.
“It’s best to keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. This is still the safest way for children to ride,” Hoffman says.
“Car crashes remain a leading cause of death for children,” he continues. “Over the last 10 years, four children [14 and younger] died each day. We hope that by helping parents and caregivers use the right car safety seat for each and every ride that we can better protect kids and prevent tragedies.”
All children under 13 must be restrained in a car seat for their weight and height, the AAP recommends. A CSS can be used up until 4 years of age, after which a transition can be made to a forward-facing seat.
Between the ages of 8 and 12, children can travel with a “belt-positioning booster seat,” which will be removed after the age of 13, when their only protection in case of a crash is offered by the seatbelt.
Hoffman also uses the opportunity to warn parents that children should be restrained at all times, no matter the duration of the car ride.
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