For years, the recommendation was to keep children rear-facing until at least age 2 or they have reached the upper height or weight limit of the car seat. In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their recommendations by removing the age limit,” Jennifer McCue, RRT, BSEd, CPST, injury prevention coordinator of the Trauma Program at Nemours Children’s Health in Delaware, tells us. “The current recommendation is to keep children rear-facing as long as possible until they reach the maximum height or weight limit. A properly installed rear-facing car seat is designed to move to help absorb and distribute the crash forces along the back of the car seat while keeping the head, neck, and spinal cord in a straight line. This is important in protecting the child from serious head and neck injuries. Children are much safer staying rear-facing until they reach the car seat’s height or weight limit.