Infant and Child Restraint Systems

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

An infant carrier is used only rear-facing in the vehicle. It is recommended for infants from birth until they reach the weight or height limit of the carrier. Convertible child seats can be used either rear-facing or forward-facing in the vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher rear-facing weight limit than infant carriers, so they can be used rear-facing for children who have outgrown their infant carrier but are still less than two years old. Children 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. A deploying front passenger airbag can cause death or serious injury to a child 12 years old or younger, including a child in a rear-facing child restraint.
• Never install a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle seat in front of an airbag. 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 this vehicle.