Rear Facing Baby

So much recent research and testing has shown that children are much, much safer in rear-facing configuration. In fact, the safety experts heralded the introduction of a new mini-van a year or so ago, in which the second row of seats turn around so the kids can play a game with the kids in the third row. I have been told that a child *not even in a car seat* is safer with that seat turned-around! As long as your child has not outgrown the weight and length limits of his rear-facing seat, the recommendation is to keep them rear-facing as long as possible. (I only made it to 18 months with both my kids.)

In the state of Illinois, there are NO set weight or age requirements for rear-facing or front-facing. The law simply states that a child must be properly restrained. That's it.

I believe the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended leaving children rear-facing until 30 months of age (assuming the child is in the appropriate seat for his weight/length). You may want to google this to double-check.

Here's the actual wording from the State of Illinois:

Infants and Toddlers
Illinois law requires all children to be properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat until age eight. After age eight, Illinois law requires everyone under the age of 19 to be properly restrained anywhere in the vehicle. Currently, Illinois law does not require children to ride rear-facing to a set weight or age like some states. Illinois law does require that all children be properly restrained in child safety seats. The American Academy of Pediatrics and NHTSA strongly recommend that children stay rear-facing until they are BOTH over one year of age AND over 20 pounds to protect their fragile head, neck, and spinal cord.
More information on infant child safety seat safety
More information on forward-facing child safety seat safety
Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act

For more information regarding the state of Illinois car seat laws and guidelines, visit:

http://www.buckleupillinois.org/illaw.html

When we had our carseats checked at the Aurora fire department (both for rear facing and front facing) we were told that rear facing was safer and there was no need to turn them around at exactly 12 months.

However, I also read somewhere that once children can no longer stretch out their legs rear facing, you should turn them around (if they are 1 year old and at least 20 lbs.) We waited a few extra weeks (primarily so we could get the seats checked), but my son is in the 70th percentile for height and weight, so his legs were getting a bit squished.

Personally, I feel a properly installed car seat (rear facing or front facing) is the key. If you haven't already done so, be sure to call your local fire department or police station to have yours checked!

(We read the instructions carefully and the inspector still found a few little things wrong with ours...and managed to get them a lot tighter than I could!)

I have never heard of a pediatrician telling a parent to keep a child rear facing until they are 30 pounds. My son didn't want to rear face anymore at 10 months old, and it was a fight to get him in the car until he was 12 months. I'm pretty sure the American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends to keep them rear facing until 12 months AND 20 pounds. Once they reach that milestone, they can go forward. I wouldn't listen to your pediatrician on this one. Good luck!

I turned both of my kids forward at 20lbs. I am sure it is safest to keep them rear facing until they are 20 years old but it sure isn't practical at all. My daughter screamed in the car when she was rear facing and now that she faces forward she does not mind being in the car.
I have never heard of waiting until 30lbs. Some kids don't get to 30lbs until they are much older! Maybe it was a mistake...
Good luck.

I don't remember what weight we turned our daughter around, but our doctor said at least 1 year old - so . If we waited until 30 lbs, she would have just turned around at 3 1/2 years old!!! My daughter is almost 4 years old, is 42" tall and 32 lbs (our little string bean!). The booster seat she is in now says minimum weight 30 lbs. Hope this info helps!