One of the biggest mistakes a parent or caregiver makes when it comes to car seats is switching a child out of a car seat to a different kind too early. There are a lot of assumptions when it comes to car seats, especially about when a certain kind of car seat should be used. Everyone is so anxious to get their baby turned around and have them facing the same way as everyone else in the car.

Here are some of the most common things I hear when it comes to switching to forward facing too early:

“They don’t like not seeing me”

“Their legs are too long”

”They have hit the minimum weight requirement for forward facing”

“They are a year old now”

“I want to see them”

All of these things are false. The child is the safest in the rear facing position because a rear facing seat spreads the crash force out more evenly across the back of the car seat and the child’s body. A child’s body cannot withstand the force of a car crash, and forward facing too early can cause serious (or fatal) injuries. This is why extended rear facing is so important.

The American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to wait until at least 2 years old to switch a child to forward facing. However, it is actually best to have a child in a rear facing car seat for as long as possible, and until they have outgrown the either the height or weight limit on a rear facing convertible car seat. They should then remain forward facing in a convertible car seat until at least the age of 5, or if they have outgrown the weight requirements, before switching to a booster seat.

So, you’re wondering when you should switch your child over to a forward facing or if they are ready for the next stage of car seats? First, check the instruction manual for your car seat. Have they met or exceeded the weight/height requirements for rear facing? If no, then don’t change anything and check back in a few months (or years). If yes, then it’s time to move up! Switch the car seat forward facing or switch to the appropriate booster seat for their weight and height. Never base the car seat you choose off the age of the child. Every child is different and will advance to the different stages of car seats at their own time. It is not safe to have a general age standard for when to use a type of car seat, which is why there are weight and height requirements. Check out my post about the 4 different stages of car seat safety here.

There is a reason the federal and state government has set rules and requirements for car seat use. It protects our children and saves their lives. Do not take these lightly. For more information about your state’s car seat laws contact your local officials or visit this website.