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A rear-facing seat gives the best protection for your child’s head, neck, and spine in a sudden stop or crash. When your baby outgrows the infant (rear-facing only) seat, use a larger, rear-facing seat.

Rear-facing car seats include infant (rear-facing only) car seats, as well as larger rear-facing seats that you can change from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing car seat as your child grows.

Who should be in a rear-facing car seat?

• Infants and young children are safest in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit for rear-facing use allowed by the car seat's manufacturer. Find these limits on the car seat's stickers or in the instruction manual.
• Your child is safest in the larger rear-facing car seat until they are 2, 3, or even 4 years old, as long as they are still under the maximum height or weight limit for rear-facing use.
• Keep your child rear facing for as long as they still fit the larger, rear-facing seat. Don't rush to move your child to a forward-facing car seat. The rear-facing position is the safest.

How to use your child’s rear-facing car seat

 

See the printable Rear-facing car seat: How to keep your child safe in the car for information about how to use a rear-facing car seat.

Always read your vehicle manual and follow the instructions for your seat.

• Place the car seat in the back seat, facing the back of the vehicle.
• Attach the seat using the lower anchors (UAS) or seat belt and tighten. If you use the seat belt, it must be locked.
• The seat should move less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) where it is attached to the car.
• Adjust the seat to recline at the correct angle. Check your instructions.

• Make sure the harness straps are in the slot level with or below your child’s shoulders.
• Tighten the harness straps. You should not be able to pinch the harness at the shoulder.
• The harness should be flat with no twists.
• Place the chest clip at your child’s armpit level.

Helpful tips for using your rear-facing car seat

 

• If you are using a seat that can be used in different ways, read the instructions to find out how to set it up for rear facing.
• Read the instructions to find out how to change the angle on your car seat. Some seats may be installed more upright for an older baby or toddler.
• Make sure your child’s head is at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the top of the seat. It is safe for your child’s feet to touch the back seat of the car.
• Make sure your car seat is safe to use.

When is your child ready for the next car seat?

 

• Check the labels on your seat to find out when your child will reach the seat’s height or weight limits.
• Keep your child rear facing for as long as they still fit the larger, rear-facing seat.
• Your child is safest riding rear facing until 2, 3, or even 4 years old, as long as they still fit within the height and weight limits for the seat.
• When your child outgrows their larger rear-facing car seat by height or weight, they should move to a forward-facing car seat with a harness.