AAP now officially recommends rear-facing until at least two years of age

[an_aurora]

Today the AAP and NHTSA both changed their official recommendations to rear-face at least until two years of age.  Both have been long-time supporters of rear-facing as long as possible, but making it their official recommendation is a step in the right direction :)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-us-med-carseats-chil,0,1725962.story

http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Traffic%20Injury%20Control/Articles/Associated%20Files/4StepsFlyer.pdf

http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2011/NHTSA+Releases+New+Child+Seat+Guidelines

[Cutie Patootie]

Awesome!

[woodchick]

I just came to post about this as well!

Here's the AAP press release.

[LiLStar]

So, are individual states likely to rewrite the laws to reflect the new guidelines, or do you think the laws are likely to remain as is?

[zenmumajen]

Oooh good! Now hopefully my MIL will be able to understand why we want to keep our son rear facing! She says his legs won't be comfortable though. Has anyone experienced this??? We need to look for a new car seat soon...

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by LiLStar 

So, are individual states likely to rewrite the laws to reflect the new guidelines, or do you think the laws are likely to remain as is?

Most laws are proper use clauses, meaning that the state says that children under xxx age must be in a properly used car seat.  So we need manufacturers to change the rules on their car seats to 2 years in order for "laws" to change.

[2lilsweetfoxes]

Most comments I saw on news reports about the recommendation tended to:  "what about the legs?"  "my kids won't be comfortable" and the "what are they smoking--and can I have some of it?"

At least I don't look like a complete wacko for having my 2 year old still RF--even though she is less than 20 pounds and it is the only way I can puzzle all kids into the backseat.

[wetcement101]

I just wanted to say thanks to the mamas on this forum who tipped me off to the RF debate and research years ago. Glad the new recommendations will protect more kids.