The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children
should ride in a Rear-Facing Car Seat until they reach the highest
weight or height allowed by their car seat manufacturer.
Rear-Facing
Use rear-facing only with children:
• who weigh between 5 – 39.6 lbs (2.3 – 18 kg)
and
• the top of the child's head is at least 1 in.
(2.5 cm) below the top of the child restraint shell
(Fig. A) and
• the harness straps are at or slightly below the child's shoulders.
If the child cannot be secured within these requirements because
the child exceeds height or weight requirements, review the
forward-facing guidelines on page 10.
IMPORTANT: See Adjusting the Harness Height on page 25.
Forward-Facing
Use forward-facing only with children:
• who weigh between 22.2 – 39.6 lbs (10.1 – 18 kg) and
• who are 41 in. (104 cm) or less in height and the top of the
child's ears are below the top of the child restraint
and
• the harness straps are at or above the child's shoulders (Fig. B).
Above Shoulder Level
Below Shoulder Level
Shoulder Level
B
SAFETY
Forward-Facing Harness Height
Upright
A
5