Your Rear-Facing Car Seat Questions, Answered

My child is 15 months old and forward-facing. Should I really turn him back rear-facing?

Yes!  When we know better, we must do better.  Three months ago when you turned her forward facing, you did what you thought was best, but now you know differently.  Avoid regrets, and give her the best protection you know how.  

Many parents worry that it will be a disaster turning a child back to rear-facing.  Here is one mom's experience turning her almost-3-year-old son back rear-facing:

“I was initially very hesitant to move my almost 3-year-old son to rear-facing from forward-facing.  He has been sitting forward-facing for over a year and can be strong-willed when it comes to change.  However, after hearing how much safer it is, I was willing to try.  The first three or so drives were very difficult, as he asked to "look out mama and dada's window" almost the entire time. We ignored and distracted, and I was about to give up when I noticed that although he still complained about sitting rear-facing, it happened less and less.  Now (after about three weeks) he asks maybe once every other drive if he can sit forward-facing and was even (mostly) fine the other day when his friend joined us and sat forward facing.  It was a tough first few drives, but I am very happy we did it and I feel so much safer.”

My 20-month-old is too heavy for rear-facing in her current seat. Should I really buy a different seat just so she can ride rear-facing for a few more months?

Imagine it is November, and your 20-month-old has outgrown all of her winter clothes.  Would you not buy her new winter clothes because it will be warmer in 4 months?  The car seat is one of the only products you will ever buy for your child that has the potential to save her life.  Just like your child needs new clothes frequently, they may need a new car seat sooner than you thought.  If you are in a crash, you will be relieved knowing that you gave her the best protection possible.