Babies: 9 - 12 Months

rear vs. forward facing-when?!

my son is 5 months, but weighs 22 pounds. the britax carseat we have for him says he can forward face at one year/20 pounds. it doesn't clarify if he has to be one year AND 20 pounds or one year OR 20 pounds. anyone know? hes definitely outgrown his infant seat, so we wanted to transition him this weekend. thanks!

Re: rear vs. forward facing-when?!

  • The minimum recommended is one year.  I plan to get a convertible seat that be rear or forward facing when MJ outgrows her infant seat, and leaving her rear facing for more than a year, but that's just me.
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  • I'll be nice.

    Almost every state's law says 20 pounds AND one year.  If he's outgrown his infant seat, you'll need to put him rear-facing in a convertible seat. There are many to choose from.

    The AAP is now recommending rear-facing for 2 years or up to your seat's height/weight limits.  RF weight limit for our Britax Marathon is 35 pounds, and DS will stay RF until he hits that mark or gets within 1" of the top of the seat. He's 11+ months now and 95/99%ile for weight and height and is far from either limit.


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  • It's AND.  They must be at least 1 year AND at least 20lbs.  So your LO must still be rear-facing for at least another 7 months.
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  • it's 20lbs AND a year, but it's best to leave him rear facing to the max weight.

    my ds is 20+ lbs, and we were told we can turn him on his birthday. we will probably wait until he is closer to 35lbs because it's safer.


    W (02/2009), N (08/2012), and C (04/2014)
  • Oy vey.  It's one year AND 20 pounds.  Do not FF your 5 month old.

    And the AAP now recommends RFing until age 2.  We just bought a seat that RF until 40 pounds--it's much safer.  Keep your kid RF as long as you can, it could save his life in a serious crash.

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    Big sister {September 2008} Sweet boy {April 2011} Fuzzy Bundle {ETA July 2014}

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  • Its 20 lbs AND 1 year- state law in CA. And please google extended rear facing...
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  • I won't flame you because you will get enough...however, you probably should check your state laws regarding this.  Additionally, check out JARbaby's signature for information on carseat safety as well as why extended rear facing is better.

    I'd much rather be annoyed because my child was pissy for having to sit rear facing than not have her at all because I was too quick to turn her around.

    3/22/09 - Lily Grace, born at 33 weeks, 2 days
    9/12/14 - M/C @ 7 weeks, 1 day (ectopic)

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