Infant and Child Restraint Systems

Safety experts recommend that children ride rear-facing until they are two years old or until they reach the height or weight limit of their rear-facing child restraint. Two types of child restraints can be used rear-facing: infant carriers and convertible child seats.

Infant-only seats are used in the vehicle rear-facing only. Recommended for infants from birth until they reach the maximum weight or height limit of the infant carrier. Convertible child seats can be used both rear-facing and forward-facing in the vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher rear-facing weight limit than infant-only seats, so they can be used rear-facing. Children who have outgrown their infant-only seat but are still smaller than the maximum height/weight limit for the convertible seat should remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height allowed by their convertible child seat.

• Never install a rear-facing child restraint in front of an airbag. The deploying front passenger airbag can cause death or serious injury to the child. Always install children 12 years old and younger in the rear seat, including a child in a rear-facing child restraint.
• Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat of the vehicle. Use a rear-facing child restraint only in the rear seat. If the vehicle does not have a rear seat, do not transport a rear-facing child restraint in that vehicle.