The current recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is to keep children in rear-facing car seats until they are at least 2 years old. Ideally, children should remain rear-facing as long as possible, until they reach the maximum height or weight limits allowed by their specific car seat. Many convertible car seats accommodate rear-facing toddlers up to 35 pounds or more, and some can go even higher in weight limits. Reasons for this recommendation include the significantly better protection rear-facing seats provide for the child's head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash. Children are 75% less likely to be severely injured or killed in a crash when rear-facing compared to forward-facing. Children can be comfortable legs bent in rear-facing seats, so legroom or leg position should not motivate the switch. While some parents switch the seat around closer to 1 year old due to older recommendations or state laws, the safest advice is to keep the seat rear-facing until at least age 2, and preferably longer if the seat's limits allow it—sometimes up to age 3 or 4 years. In summary:

• Keep children rear-facing until at least 2 years old.
• Keep rear-facing as long as possible within car seat height and weight limits.
• Don't switch to forward-facing just because the child's legs are bent or cramped.
• Safety data strongly supports longer rear-facing use.

If your child has outgrown the rear-facing limits for your car seat, then it is time to switch to forward-facing. This guidance applies to most standard convertible car seats and is supported by safety organizations and research.