Car seats: When do you switch?

When do you switch your rear facing car seat front-wards?  According to Transport Canada,  “Don’t hurry. Keep your child in the rear-facing seat until he or she grows out of it.”  ok – so how do you know if your child has grown out of it?!

Every car seat has a height and weight minumum and maximum written on a sticker near the base of the seat.  And it is important to point out that different infant car seats have different height and weight maximums.  (For example – my infant Graco car seat went from 5-22lbs.  My  baby True Fit car seat goes from 5-65lbs).

However, I would like to note that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended this year that infants/toddlers should remain rear-facing until age 2.

So don’t go by what seat your child’s friend is in…or what seat has the coolest cup holder…or what seat was handed down by a neighbour.  Go by your child’s height and weight and age.

And if you are unsure of installation – there are free car seat installation clinics in your community – use your google and find one!

In Toronto:  Toronto Police Car Seat Installation Clinics

A proper fitting (and installed) car seat and booster can save your child’s life.

I would like to dedicate this post to @mapsgirl who writes “Funny Things Are Everywhere” a talented writer and a car seat installation expert.  When I thought I should switch my dear son forward facing I tweeted her first – and she was the one who brought to my attention the 2 year old rear-facing advisement from the AAP.  Thank you Wendy.