When it comes to the safety of our children, every decision we make matters. While many parents in my extended family seemed to view my choices as quirky, comparable to my ban on sugary snacks or my insistence on avoiding artificial colors, I remained steadfast in my commitment to keeping my children in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible.
Before the updated guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended rear-facing until age two, I had already done my homework. Research from organizations like Carseats for The Littles and The Car Seat Lady confirmed my belief that rear-facing seats are significantly safer—up to five times more so than forward-facing ones. Notably, a 2009 article in the British Journal of Medicine advocated for rear-facing car seats until children reach the age of four. Yes, you read that correctly: four years old.
My own kids remained rear-facing until they were a small five, a medium-sized four, and another average four. They were among the last in their social circle to transition to forward-facing seats. For a while, I even managed to fit three rear-facing car seats across the back of my vehicle. After flipping my oldest, I was left with two rear-facing seats for another two years.
As they grew, their legs became longer, and they often crossed them. But we never worried about potential injury in a crash. Allana Morgan, a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, reassured me that there are no statistics indicating that rear-facing children suffer broken legs in accidents. Children are inherently more flexible than adults, making rear-facing a comfortable position for them.
Of course, there were moments when my kids cried during their infancy, partly due to reflux and partly because they wanted to see me. However, as they approached their first birthdays, they were generally content in the car, occasionally needing snacks or toys for entertainment. Since they were accustomed to being rear-facing, they never experienced motion sickness, and most importantly, I knew they were as protected as possible in the event of a crash.
What Does the Data Say About Rear-Facing Safety?
According to the British Journal of Medicine, the risk of severe neck injuries is significantly heightened for forward-facing children in the event of a collision. In a head-on crash, a forward-facing child’s head can whip forward and backward, leading to potential spinal cord injuries, some of which can result in paralysis or death. This risk is particularly pronounced because children have larger heads relative to their bodies, making them more vulnerable.
In side-impact collisions, rear-facing children are also four times safer than their forward-facing counterparts. Given that car accidents are a leading cause of death for children aged 2-15 in the U.S.—with a quarter of those fatalities stemming from car crashes—it’s crucial to consider the effectiveness of rear-facing seats. In Sweden, for instance, where children are kept rear-facing until at least four years old, the rates of child fatalities in car accidents are remarkably low.
As Morgan succinctly stated, “When a child rides rear-facing, the entire shell of the car seat protects their head, neck, and spine during a frontal collision. It is the optimal position for all types of crashes.”
When confronted with parents hesitant to keep their children rear-facing beyond age two, Morgan thoughtfully encourages dialogue about their concerns and provides them with the information needed to make informed choices. Ultimately, the best decision is to keep children rear-facing until at least four years old, or until they reach the maximum height or weight limits of their car seat. For more information on which car seats allow for extended rear-facing, consider checking out resources like this link.
I am grateful that I prioritized my children’s safety, despite any raised eyebrows from family and friends. Ultimately, their well-being was what mattered most.
In conclusion, keeping children in rear-facing car seats for the longest duration possible is not just a parenting quirk, but a crucial safety measure supported by data and expert recommendations. By doing so, parents can significantly reduce the risks associated with car accidents.