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Injury Prevention

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Rear-Facing Car Seat Basics

Infants should ride in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible.  Most toddler seats can be used rear-facing up to 35 lbs. (see manufacturer’s instructions).

Rear-facing Car Seat Tips

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants should ride rear-facing starting with their first ride home from the hospital. They should remain rear-facing until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer. At a minimum, children should ride rear-facing until they have reached at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds.
  • Make sure harness straps are snug and flat. 
  • Chest clip should be at ARMPIT level.
  • Carrying handle needs to be DOWN while driving.
  • Recline angle should be 30-45°.
  • Harness straps must be AT OR BELOW shoulder level.
  • Never put a child rear-facing in a front seat with a passenger side airbag!
  • For more information about rear-facing car seats, see the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Types of rear-facing car seats

Infant-only seats

  • Have carrying handles and are used for infants up to 22 to 32 pounds, depending on the model.
  • Are used only for travel (not for positioning outside the vehicle).
  • Many come with a base that can be left in the car. Parents can buy more than one base for additional vehicles.

Convertible seats (used rear-facing)

  • Most can be used for children weighing 5 lbs. all the way up to 50 lbs.
  • Can be used rear-facing (typically up to 35 lbs.), then “converted” to forward-facing for older children. This means the seat can be used longer by your child. 
  • Have higher rear-facing weight and height limits than infant-only seats, which makes them ideal for bigger babies.

Check out Car Seat FAQs for more info.