What age range is considered safest for a child to be in a rear-facing car seat?

The safest age range for a child to be in a rear-facing car seat is from 1 to 3 years old. During this time, a child's neck and spine are still developing, and rear-facing seats provide optimal protection in the event of a crash. These seats support the child's head and neck, spreading the force of a collision across the entire body, which is especially important because young children have larger heads in proportion to their bodies.

While it is also recommended for infants (0-6 months) to be in rear-facing car seats, the key emphasis on keeping children rear-facing extends well into their toddler years. The recommendations from safety organizations suggest that children should remain in a rear-facing car seat as long as they fit within the seat's height and weight limits, often up to the age of 2 or even longer. Children aged 4-6 years old and older typically transition to forward-facing car seats or booster seats, which are not as safe as rear-facing seats for young children. The safest practice is to continue using rear-facing as long as possible based on the manufacturer's guidelines.