New Car Seat Safety Guidelines: Rear-Facing Longer, Booster Seat Use Extended
Car seat safety guidelines have been updated to ensure the best protection for children in vehicles. Key changes focus on the age and size at which children should transition from rear-facing to forward-facing seats and the use of booster seats.
In Germany, children must be at least 76 cm tall and up to about 105 cm, weighing up to 18-20 kg, or about 4 years old, to legally use a forward-facing child seat; younger or smaller children must travel in rear-facing seats according to the UN R129 (i-Size) regulation. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also recommends keeping children rear-facing until they reach the weight/height limits of their rear-facing car seat.
Once children reach these limits, they can transition to a forward-facing car seat. However, they should remain in this position until they reach the height and weight limit of their seat. After outgrowing a forward-facing car seat, children should use a booster seat until they're around 9 to 12 years old, and ideally, they should sit in the back of the car until they're 13 years old.
Regardless of the type of car seat, all certified seats meet safety requirements, so parents should focus on proper installation and fit for their child and vehicle. Car seat laws vary by location, so parents should check local laws to ensure compliance. The AAP assures parents that leg injuries for rear-facing children are very rare.
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