10 Best rear-facing car seats 2024 | video reviews
Last updated (01/16/2024)
The 10 best rear-facing car seats of 2024 are the result of an intensive and detailed study using 20 criteria in terms of safety, ergonomics, and adaptability. Each of these Plus Test car seats has an evaluation chart, and at the beginning of the article, you'll find a summary table of the best car seats to use after an infant carrier, along with their respective criteria.
If you want to know more about the best infant car seats, click here. This article is exclusively for rear-facing car seats.
Use the code BONAS15 at the bonabebe.pt store to buy these car seats with a 15% discount.
QUICK CONCLUSION: The best rear-facing car seat is the BeSafe iZi Twist i-Size, and the best value for money is the BeSafe iZi Kid X3. Here is the link to the table of the best car seats for your baby.
Last updated: January 16, 2024
Table of Contents
- Comparison table of the 10 best rear-facing car seats 2023
-
Top 10 best rear-facing car seats 2023
- BeSafe iZi Twist i-Size starting at €543.15 (with video review)
- BeSafe iZi Modular RF X1 starting at €291.75* (with video review)
- BeSafe Stretch starting at €551.65 (with video review)
- Axkid One starting at €749 (with video review)
- Britax-Roemer Swingfix M i-Size starting at €646 (with video review)
- Besafe iZi Kid X3 i-Size starting at €389 (with video review)
- Axkid Rekid starting at €469
- Concord Jane I.plus starting at €406.3
- BeSafe iZi Plus X1 starting at €350 (with video review)
- Axkid Minikid 2 starting at €399
- What defines a good rear-facing car seat
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Why is rear-facing travel 5 times safer?
- Rear-facing in Portugal and other countries
- Have you noticed that all infant carriers are rear-facing?
- Consequently, the question arises: Has the baby changed that much when they leave the infant carrier, regarding the child's anatomy?
- Plus Test: the standard that indicates the seat is exclusively rear-facing
- I'll also share some myths about rear-facing travel
- In summary, the principle of rear-facing travel is very simple (with video)
Comparison table of the 10 best rear-facing car seats 2024
| Car seat name | Rank in Top | Average Price | Suitable child height | Recommended child age | Recommended weight | Backrest length of seat | Group | Rotation | Homologation | PlusTest | Harness | Universal Leveling System | EPS/ EPP | Front brace | V-shaped headrest | Side Impact Protection | ISOfix | Belts | ADAC | Manufacturer |
| iZi Twist i-Size | 1 | €509.15 | 61-105cm | 6m-4 years | max 18kg | 62 cm | 0+/I | 180º | R129 | √ | 5 points | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | X | Good 2.3 | HTS safety BeSafe Norwegian |
| iZi Modular RF X1 | 2 | 299.25€* | 61-105cm | 6m-4 years | max 18kg | 62 cm | 0+/I | X | R129 | √ | 5 points | X | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | X | Good 1.2 | HTS safety BeSafe Norwegian |
| Stretch | 3 | €551.65 | 61-125cm | 6m-8 years | max 36kg | 70 cm | 0+/I/2 | X | R129 | √ | 5 points | X | √ | √ | √ | √ | X | √ | AHTS safety BeSafe Norwegian | |
| One | 4 | €749 | 61-110cm | 6m-6 years | max 23kg | 64 cm | 0+/I | x | R129 | √ | 5 points | X | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | X | Good 2.2 | Axkid Swedish |
| Swingfix M i-Size | 5 | €646 | 61-100cm | 6m-4 years | max 18kg | 59 cm | 0+/I | 180º | R129 | √ | 5 points | X | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | X | Good 1.7 | Britax-Roemer German |
| iZi Kid X3 | 6 | €389 | 65-105cm | 0-3 years | max 23 kg | 62 cm | 0+/I | X | R129 | √ | 5points | X | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | X | Good 1.8 | HTS safety BeSafe Norwegian |
| Rekid | 7 | €469 | 65-101cm | 6m- 4 years | max 18kg/25kg | 60cm | 0+/I | X | R4404 | √ | 5 points | X | X | X | √ | X | √ | √ | Axkid Swedish | |
| Concord Jane I.plus | 8 | €406.03 | 40-100cm | 0-3 years | max 23 kg | 59 cm | 0+/I | X | R129 | √ | 3 points | X | √ | √ | √ | √ | X | X | Good 1.8 | Concord – Jane group Spanish |
| iZi Plus X1 | 9 | €350 | 65-105cm | 6m- 4 years | max 25kg | 62cm | 0+/I | X | R4404 | √ | 5 points | X | √ | √ | √ | X | X | √ | HTS safety BeSafe Norwegian | |
| Minikid 2 | 10 | €399 | 65-101cm | 6m- 4 years | max 25kg | 60cm | 0+/I | X | R4404 | √ | 5 points | X | X | X | √ | √ | X | √ | Axkid Swedish |
Top 10 best rear-facing car seats 2023
1.BeSafe iZi Twist i-Size starting at €509.15 (video review)
You can watch my car seat review here:
This is my favorite rear-facing car seat, because in addition to incorporating the safest homologations on the market, it has the universal leveling technology which I believe is crucial for almost perfect ergonomics during car travel. This universal leveling technology helps prevent children's heads from drooping when they fall asleep during journeys, meaning that regardless of your car's seat inclination, the car seat will ensure optimal recline because it does not have to be in contact with the car seat itself.
Additionally, there is an option to purchase it with mesh fabric (Peak Mesh), which allows for much more breathability and comfort for the child during travel, and consequently, less crying and screaming.
| BeSafe iZi Twist i-Size | |
| Price: | from €509.15 |
| Suitable child height | 61-105 cm |
| Recommended child age | 6 months – 4 years (approximately) |
| Recommended weight | Maximum of 18 kg |
| Backrest length of seat | 62 cm |
| Group | 0+/I |
| Rotation | Side-To-Side = 180º |
| Homologation | R129 i-size |
| Plus test | Yes |
| Harness | 5 points, 4 cm |
| Universal Leveling System | Yes |
| EPS | Yes |
| Front brace | Yes |
| V-shaped headrest | Yes |
| Side impact protection | Yes |
| Retractable system | No |
| Installation feedback system | Audible on support leg and visual on anchors and support leg |
| Installation system | ISOfix |
| Possibility of installation with belts | No |
| Independent tests | Good (2.3) |
| Manufacturer (origin) | HTS safety BeSafe Norwegian |
2.BeSafe iZi Modular RF X1 starting at €299.25 + BeSafe Modular i-Size (video review)
You can watch my car seat review here:
This solution is suitable for those who already have the BeSafe Modular ISOfix base in conjunction with the iZi go Modular infant carrier. The great advantage of this car seat, in addition to the safety features listed in the table, is the reuse of the ISOfix base that was used with the previous car seat.
What it loses compared to the first option is mainly the lack of rotation and universal leveling.
| BeSafe iZi Modular RF X1 i-size | |
| Price | from €299.25 |
| Suitable child height | 61-105 cm |
| Recommended child age | 6 months – 4 years (approximately) |
| Recommended weight | Maximum of 18 kg |
| Backrest length of seat | 62 cm |
| Group | 0+/I |
| Rotation | Does not have |
| Homologation | R129 i-size |
| Plus test | Yes |
| Harness | 5 points, 4 cm |
| Universal Leveling System | No |
| EPS | Yes |
| Front brace | Yes |
| V-shaped headrest | Yes |
| Side impact protection | Yes |
| Retractable system | No |
| Installation feedback system | Audible on support leg and visual on anchors and support leg |
| Installation system | ISOfix |
| Belt installation option | No |
| Independent tests | Good (2.0) |
| Manufacturer (origin) | HTS Safety BeSafe Norwegian |
3. BeSafe Stretch from €551.65 (with video review)
The big new prolonged rear-facing car seat for 2023 is the BeSafe Stretch, and I'm completely in love with it. Here's my review of this car seat:
This rear-facing car seat is ideal for babies with high weight and height percentiles (above 50%), for those who want to travel rear-facing for an extended period (beyond 4 years), and/or for those who install the seat in the front passenger seat (by choice or because they have a two-seater/commercial car).
Please note that this seat will be fastened with belts; you won't be able to use the ISOfix system. It comes complete, so you don't need to buy any separate base. Despite being belt-fastened, it guarantees safety and ease of installation with feedback in some steps. Another huge feature of this seat is that, instead of being constructed with EPS, it was built with EPP, which is a more durable and equally energy-absorbing material. This, plus the fact that it uses aluminum and its construction is designed to facilitate repairs, means this seat has an estimated lifespan of 15 years! (most seats have an estimated lifespan of 5/6 years).
Thus, the BeSafe Stretch car seat becomes not only a safer choice with prolonged rear-facing use but also a choice with a more conscious ecological footprint.
| BeSafe Stretch i-Size |
|
| Price | from €551.65 |
| Suitable child height | 61-125 cm |
| Recommended child age | 6 months – 8 years (approximately) |
| Recommended weight | Maximum 36 kg |
| Backrest height | 70 cm |
| Group | 0+/I/II |
| Rotation | None |
| Approval | R129 i-size |
| Plus Test | Yes |
| Harness | 5 points, 4 cm |
| Universal leveling system | No |
| EPS/ EPP |
Yes |
| Front brace | Yes |
| V-shaped headrest | Yes |
| Side impact protection | Yes |
| Retractable system | No |
| Installation feedback system | Audible on foot prop and visual on anchors and foot prop |
| Installation system | No |
| Belt installation option | Yes |
| Independent tests | – |
| Manufacturer (origin) | HTS Safety BeSafe Norwegian |
4. Axkid One from €699 (video review)
Here's the video review of the Axkid One+.
The Axkid One+ is identical to the Axkid One with the additional option of a newborn insert, meaning the Axkid One+ is a more expensive version of the Axkid One and can be used from birth.
This car seat is ideal for babies with a high weight percentile (above 60%). Although the manufacturer states that the seat will last up to 7 years of age or 125cm, I have my reservations because the maximum backrest height of the Axkid One car seat is 64 cm. That is, if a rear-facing car seat with a maximum backrest height of 62 cm can fit a 105 cm child aged 4 to 5 years, I don't see how a child 20 cm taller will fit in a seat that only offers 2 cm more backrest height.
Now, it is absolutely true that in terms of weight, it will last longer and will be a pertinent choice for babies with a high weight percentile. I already have customers with this car seat, but I need the babies to grow to see the maximum usage time. Thus, I estimate that an additional 2 cm of backrest height means an additional 5 cm of a child's height.
To ensure you are not caught off guard, I am sharing the two main disadvantages of this seat (which are not relevant in terms of safety):
- The harness adjustment area is difficult to find (you can overcome this difficulty by watching the seat review or booking a consultation with me);
- When the headrest is raised to its maximum, there is no longer a cushion on the backrest.
| Axkid One | |
| Price | from €699 |
| Suitable child height | 61-110cm |
| Recommended child age | 6 months – 5 years (approximately) |
| Recommended weight | Maximum 23 kg |
| Backrest height | 64 cm |
| Group | 0+/I/2 |
| Rotation | None |
| Approval | R129 i-size |
| Plus Test | Yes |
| Harness | 5 points, 4 cm |
| Universal leveling system | No |
| EPS | Yes |
| Front brace | Yes |
| V-shaped headrest | Yes |
| Side impact protection | Yes |
| Ret retractable system | No |
| Installation feedback system | Audible on foot prop and visual on anchors and foot prop |
| Installation system | ISOfix |
| Belt installation option | No |
| Independent tests | Good (2.2) |
| Manufacturer (origin) | Axkid Swedish |
5. Britax Romer Swingfix M i-Size from €586 (video review)
You can get an idea of this seat from my review of the Britax-Römer Dualfix M i-Size below. The difference between these two seats is that the version in the video rotates 360º (meaning it can be used forward-facing), while the Swing-fix M i-Size always travels rear-facing and rotates 180º side-to-side.
The Britax Römer rear-facing car seat is a great seat in terms of safety, but it falls a bit short in its maximum backrest height (58cm). Since the intention is to travel rear-facing for as long as possible, I only consider this option for babies with a low height percentile.
| Britax Römer Swingfix M i-Size | |
| Price | From €586 |
| Suitable child height | 61-100cm |
| Recommended child age | 6 months – 3 years (approximately) |
| Recommended weight | Maximum 18 kg |
| Backrest height | 58 cm |
| Group | 0+/I |
| Rotation | Side-To-Side = 180º |
| Approval | R129 i-size |
| Plus Test | Yes |
| Harness | 5 points, 4 cm |
| Universal leveling system | No |
| EPS | Yes |
| Front brace | Yes |
| V-shaped headrest | Slightly pronounced |
| Side impact protection | Yes |
| Retractable system | No |
| Installation feedback system | Audible on foot prop and visual on anchors and foot prop |
| Installation system | ISOfix |
| Belt installation option | No |
| Independent tests | Good (1.7) |
| Manufacturer (origin) | Britax-Römer German |
6. BeSafe iZi Kid X3 from €389 (video review)
This rear-facing car seat model has been on the market for 30 years; as the name suggests, this is its 3rd version, and I LOVE this option because it's designed for real-life accidents, and there's over 30 years of analysis data.
It started with the older homologation, and as more demanding homologations emerged, such as the current i-size, it gained approval. This means that our Norwegian friends are truly building seats to save our children's lives in case of an accident, instead of building seats that get good results with dummies.
I struggled to give it 5th place (in terms of safety, it holds 1st), but it has this rating because of the other two components: ergonomics and adaptability. Since it doesn't have a universal leveling system and is heavily designed for real accidents, children travel very upright in it (which is safer), and when they fall asleep, their heads tend to flop forward a lot.
This head flopping is definitely a distracting factor for parents and can affect preventive driving.
These are the reasons why it drops to 5th place, but for those on a more limited budget, I think it's the ideal choice.
| BeSafe iZi Kid X3 ISOfix i-Size | |
| Price | from €389 |
| Suitable child height | 65-105cm |
| Recommended child age | 6 months – 4 years (approximately) |
| Recommended weight | Maximum 18 kg |
| Seat back height | 62 cm |
| Group | 0+/I |
| Rotation | No |
| Approval | R129 i-size |
| Plus test | Yes |
| Harness | 5 points, 4 cm |
| Universal leveling system | No |
| EPS | Yes |
| Front brace | Yes |
| V-shaped headrest | Yes |
| Side impact protection | Yes |
| Retractable system | No |
| Installation feedback system | Audible on the foot support and visual on the anchors and foot support |
| Installation system | ISOfix |
| Possibility of installation with seatbelts | No |
| Independent tests | Good (1.8) 2019 |
| Manufacturer (origin) | HTS Safety BeSafe Norwegian |
7. Axkid Rekid from €469
Similar to the Axkid One version, in this rear-facing car seat, when we start to raise the headrest, there is no padding on the back. The way the headrest is secured also raises doubts about its correct use, as an extra step is needed to lock the position (everything can be resolved with training and explanation, but ease of correct installation is also an evaluation criterion).
However, this car seat is the ideal choice when there is a limited budget and we want a seat that can be installed in cars with both ISOfix and seatbelt systems.
| Axkid Rekid | |
| Price | from €469 |
| Suitable child height | 65-101cm |
| Recommended child age | 6 months - 4 years (approximately) |
| Recommended weight | Maximum 18kg with ISOfix and 25kg with seatbelts |
| Seat back height | 60 cm |
| Group | 0+/I |
| Rotation | None |
| Approval | R4404 |
| Plus test | Yes |
| Harness | 5 points, 4 cm |
| Universal leveling system | No |
| EPS | Headrest and side (not present at the bottom of the seat) |
| Front brace | No |
| V-shaped headrest | Yes |
| Side impact protection | No |
| Retractable system | No |
| Installation feedback system | No |
| Installation system | ISOfix and seatbelts |
| Possibility of installation with seatbelts | Yes |
| Independent tests | – |
| Manufacturer (origin) | Axkid Swedish |
8. Concord Jane I.Plus from €406.03
This rear-facing car seat ranks 6th on my list because to use it, we first need to assemble it (and therefore I prefer the initial installation to be done by a specialist in the field), and because the harness is 3-point and narrow. It makes very little sense to me that there are still car seats in this group with only 3 safety points.
This particular car seat can be used from birth, and although the reducer has impact energy absorption material in case of an accident, the recline angle seems a bit aggressive for newborns.
| Concord Jane REVERSO IPlus i-Size | |
| Price | From €399 |
| Suitable child height | 40-100cm |
| Recommended child age | 0-3 years approximately |
| Recommended weight | Maximum 23kg |
| Seat back height | – |
| Group | 0+/I |
| Rotation | No |
| Approval | R129 i-size |
| Plus test | Yes |
| Harness | 3 points, 3 cm |
| Universal leveling system | No |
| EPS | Yes |
| Front brace | Yes |
| V-shaped headrest | Yes |
| Side impact protection | Yes |
| Retractable system | No |
| Installation feedback system | Visual |
| Installation system | ISOfix |
| Possibility of installation with seatbelts | No |
| Independent tests | Good (1.8) 2016 |
| Manufacturer (origin) | Concord – Jane Spanish group |
9. BeSafe iZi Plus €350 (video review)
In my review, I explain how to install the iZi Plus and its various features in detail:
Although this rear-facing car seat is excellent in terms of safety features, I only recommend it when there is no ISOfix system in the car or in certain outlier situations. That is, its installation is quite complex and should be done by a professional.
In my opinion, if you have an ISOfix system in your car and your child does not have a very high weight percentage or a much higher weight than height percentage, opt for the iZi Kid X3 instead.
Otherwise, this rear-facing car seat has all the safety and construction features of the iZi Kid X3 i-size.
| BeSafe iZi Plus | |
| Price | From €350 |
| Suitable child height | 65-105cm |
| Recommended child age | 6 months - 5 years approximately |
| Recommended weight | Maximum 25kg |
| Seat back height | 62cm |
| Group | 0+/I |
| Rotation | No |
| Approval | R4404 |
| Plus test | Yes |
| Harness | 5 points 4 cm |
| Universal leveling system | No |
| EPS | Yes |
| Front brace | Yes |
| V-shaped headrest | Yes |
| Side impact protection | Yes |
| Retractable system | No |
| Installation feedback system | No |
| Installation system | Car seatbelts |
| Possibility of ISOfix installation | No |
| Independent tests | |
| Manufacturer (origin) | HTS Safety BeSafe Norwegian |
10. Axkid Minikid 2 from €399
A feature I love about this rear-facing car seat is that when we adjust the harness (when putting our child in the seat), the headrest is adjusted at the same time. This is important because it reduces the very common error of incorrect harness and headrest height adjustment.
However, this rear-facing car seat is also an option to consider only when you do not have an ISOfix system in the car, because for this price, there are good options on the market. The fact that it can be used rear-facing up to 25kg adds little (except for babies with a weight percentage well above their height percentage) because the maximum back height is 60 cm. That is, I presented other options above that will allow you to travel rear-facing for longer.
Another disadvantage of this car seat is the recline system: you have to completely disassemble the seat to be able to use the different recline levels.
| Axkid Minikid 2 | |
| Price | from €399 |
| Suitable child height | 65-101cm |
| Recommended child age | 6 months - 4 years (approximately) |
| Recommended weight | Maximum 25kg |
| Seat back height | 60 cm |
| Group | 0+/I |
| Rotation | None |
| Approval | R4404 |
| Plus test | Yes |
| Harness | 5 points, 4 cm |
| Universal leveling system | No |
| EPS | Headrest and side (not present at the bottom of the seat) |
| Front brace | No |
| V-shaped headrest | Yes |
| Side impact protection | Yes |
| Retractable system | No |
| Installation feedback system | No |
| Installation system | Car seatbelts |
| Possibility of installation with seatbelts | Yes |
| Independent tests | – |
| Manufacturer (origin) | Axkid Swedish |
11. Britax-Roemer Maxway – Plus from €369
I am super confident in recommending this rear-facing car seat for our babies, though it's not my favourite because I see safety, ergonomics, and ease-of-use features that fall short for a car seat at this price point. Attention: do not confuse this option with the regular Maxway, which lacks many safety features compared to the Maxway Plus (the Maxway does not have a V-shaped headrest with EPS, and no side impact protection).
So, to be more specific, the points I like least about this car seat are: the lack of a front bracing bar (which means less safety and less legroom), EPS on the sides of the car seat, the recline mode not being practical and often requiring re-installation of the car seat, and the maximum recline angle being a bit aggressive.
| Britax-roemer Max-way Plus | |
| Price | from €399 |
| Suitable child height | 70-103cm |
| Recommended child age | 9 months - 4 years (approximately) |
| Recommended weight | 9-25kg |
| Backrest height of car seat | 61 cm |
| Group | I |
| Rotation | None |
| Approval | R4404 |
| Plus test | Yes |
| Harness | 5-point, 4 cm |
| Universal leveling system | No |
| EPS | Headrest |
| Front bracing bar | No |
| V-shaped headrest | Yes |
| Side impact protection | Yes |
| Retractable system | No |
| Installation feedback system | No |
| Installation system | Car seat belts |
| Installation possible with belts | Yes |
| Independent tests | – |
| Manufacturer (origin) | Britax-Roemer German |
What defines whether a rear-facing car seat is good or not
I often see comments that a car seat is excellent and super safe, when in reality what is being evaluated is comfort. In my opinion, what makes a good car seat are 3 main concepts:
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Safety
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Ergonomics
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Adaptability
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In terms of safety, technical aspects considered include:
- Whether the rear-facing car seat has a 5-point harness vs. a 3-point harness. A 5-point harness will pass through the child's most resistant body areas such as the shoulders and hips. Thus, in the event of an accident, G-forces (forces felt during the collision) will impact these areas more, and consequently, vital organs (lungs and heart) are better protected from impact. A 3-point harness puts more pressure on the abdomen area in the event of a collision. The other great advantage of the 5-point harness is that it secures the child more effectively than a 3-point harness or shield in the event of a rollover accident.
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- Width of the harness (the wider the harness, the more the forces are dispersed over a larger area of the baby's body instead of concentrating)
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Safety Harness with 4 cm width - Whether the harness is retractable or not. A retractable harness will be safer because it reduces the slack that occurs when parents place their children in car seats (research shows that 49.3% of children traveling in car seats after the infant carrier do not have their belts tightened properly, and 63% of these misuse cases are classified as severe). Read more about this study here;
The BeSafe Active Retract Harness™ from HTS on Vimeo: exemplification of a harness with a retractable system.
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- whether it has EPS or dynamic G-force absorption components;
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- Installation system: whether by seat belts or by ISOfix system. As the ISOfix system drastically reduced the number of car seat installation errors, I consider this system safer (it is much more practical, easier, and faster to install). However, I note that a correctly installed car seat (100% according to the manufacturer's instruction manual) can have a crash test safety level comparable to a car seat installed with the ISOfix system.
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In these rear-facing car seats, there are at least 3 ISOfix attachment points. In the image, we only see the 2 clamps. - The R129 i-size approval is more demanding than the previous R4404 approval, and as such, it ends up being a safer option:
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- in which direction it travels (rear-facing or forward-facing). Since the goal is to have the best selection of rear-facing car seats, I did not consider options that can face forward. Thus, all car seats in this selection have the Plus Test seal.
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- existence of a front bracing bar
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- installation feedback system. According to studies, there is a 70% rate of incorrect use of car seats. In fact, this was the main reason for the creation of ISOfix systems: to reduce human error in the use of car seats. Thus, if the car seat provides audible or visual feedback of correct installation, it receives more points in terms of safety.
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- results in independent tests. This is the least relevant point. Crash tests are undoubtedly a source of information. However, they are performed with dummies, in 3 cars representative of the German market and with a specific angle. What is relevant is to have a car seat that will protect our child's life in a real accident, and for that, it must consider incorrect postures of our children (for example) in its design.
2. In ergonomics, aspects such as are evaluated:
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- V-shaped headrest
- Reclining capability
- Baby's posture when traveling in the car seat
3. In adaptability, family dynamics are assessed. Of course, this assessment is personal and needs to be done in person.
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- Assessment of family travel (whether an adult is in the back with the baby, whether the baby cries a lot or not)
- Family values and beliefs
- Caregiver attachment profile
Why is rear-facing 5 times safer?
- Most road accidents are frontal or have a frontal component
- Traveling rear-facing is the way that best respects a child's anatomy.
- Several studies support the increased safety of traveling rear-facing
- After the infant car seat, traveling rear-facing is the most natural adaptation for the child
- Because many of the things we believe about traveling rear-facing are myths
Before going into more detail, the question arises: why is there so much talk now about child safety and traveling rear-facing, when in our childhood we rode freely in the car, without seatbelts (often peeking out of the car's sunroof) and we are alive and well?
I understand! I also hung out of the roof of my parents' car with my brother next to me, screaming at the top of my lungs, and I didn't use a seatbelt, let alone a rear-facing car seat!
However, I had a very different lifestyle from my children. In our generation, until the age of 3, we stayed at home with our mother, with the upstairs neighbor, or with a nanny who lived relatively close to our house. When we started kindergarten, we often walked to school.
As we know, this reality is completely different for most of our children, who start daycare at 6 months and therefore end up traveling by car every day on urban routes, where the accident rate is more frequent.
In other words, our children travel many more kilometers by car than we did in our childhood (our journeys were mostly on weekends and long distances).
Rear-facing car seats in Portugal and other countries
Currently, in Portugal, and indeed in most of the world, the usual choice for parents after the infant car seat is a forward-facing car seat and/or one that covers all three groups (starting from 6 months up to 10/12 years of age). In fact, this seems like a very natural option, as we want our children's behavior to approximate our own, and we, mothers and fathers, travel facing forward, don't we?
However, in Nordic countries, the more frequent choice is to continue traveling rear-facing after the infant car seat, and as such, they are much more successful in preventing mortality in road traffic accidents. We can see this in the graph below, which compares the number of serious injuries between Swedish and German children. In Sweden, children predominantly travel rear-facing until 4 years old, while in Germany, there is a tendency to turn the child forward from approximately 9kg (1 year of age).
A report by ANEC with data from an accident study on the performance of restraint systems used by children aged three years and under (An Accident Study on the Performance of Restraints Used by Children Aged Three Years and Under) observed that the ejection rate was considerably higher in the US compared to European countries. What is the reason? The greater use of car seats with front shields in the US than in European countries. Furthermore, the absence of an anti-rotation leg on the car seat results in a greater load that the seat belt cannot withstand.
In summary,
what I want to share with you is that your child is not yet mature enough to remain unharmed in a frontal accident if they are traveling in a forward-facing car seat. And, since the intention of buying a car seat is to protect the baby's life or the child's life in case of an accident, the choice of car seat should consider the child's maturity and the car seat's safety features.
Have you noticed that all infant car seats travel rear-facing?
At this stage, there's no choice, and it wouldn't even occur to you to turn the baby forward, right? So, I'll share with you the reasons why all babies are required to travel rear-facing in an infant car seat and why there is no option to turn them forward:
- Most accidents are frontal or have a frontal component;
- The baby's head weight in relation to their body is much greater than an adult's;
- Babies feel greater G-forces in their vital organs than an adult.
Consequently, the question arises: Has the baby changed that much when it's time to leave the infant car seat?
It's true that they have reached some milestones: they can sit up, have started solid foods, babble, and probably say a few words, they crawl, and some even walk.
Even so, many characteristics remain. Based on the baby's anatomy, the reasons for continuing to travel🚗 rear-facing until age 4 remain:
- The baby's head weight accounts for ~25% of body weight;
- Neck with cartilage to support their "big head";
- Feels greater G-forces in vital organs than adults.
The baby's head weight accounts for ~25% of body weight. Okay, the baby has a big head, so what? Do they really have to travel rear-facing?
By now, it's clear that most accidents are frontal or have a strong frontal impact, and in these types of accidents, there's a greater spread of energy. As a consequence, in the event of a frontal accident at 50 km/h, the weight exerted by the baby's head on their neck is equivalent to a load of over 250kg. Of course, the baby cannot withstand this load, leading to internal decapitation.
Watch these two super interesting crash test videos and focus your attention on the head and neck movement:
and
Can you see the difference in impact on the neck?
Cartilaginous skeleton and traveling rear-facing
In a frontal accident, when the child is forward-facing, their body is "thrown into the harness," and in some cases with a front shield, the impact force can cause perforation of internal organs by the cartilage (Durbin DR, Dennis R. , MD; MSCE Technical Report Child Passenger Safety. Pediatrics March 22, 2011)
Feels greater G-forces in vital organs than adults
The same study analyzed that, when forward-facing, children's internal organs vibrate much more than an adult's. We can therefore save many more lives if we have our children travel rear-facing.
Plus test: the seal that shows the car seat is truly rear-facing
It's true that it's very challenging to protect the life of a child under 4 years old in a frontal accident when traveling forward-facing, but then why are there approved forward-facing car seats on our market? Because current approvals (R4404 and R129 i-Size), for the small child group, do not test neck impact in frontal accidents. But our Swedish friends at VTI created a voluntary test to test neck impact in frontal accidents: The Plus Test.
I'll also share some myths about traveling rear-facing with you
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I'm afraid my child won't tolerate it
Remember that your child has no idea that there's another option; they don't know that there's a possibility of facing backward or forward. Only you know that. And what's more: In the newborn phase, this wasn't even a concern of yours because this possibility simply didn't exist. But, since you were required to place your child rear-facing, you didn't even question this option. So, traveling rear-facing is just continuing something you're already doing; in fact, turning forward is what starts a new process.
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The child won't be able to see anything
The child cannot see when traveling rear-facing
Many of us already know that traveling rear-facing is the safest option, at least until our children are 4 years old 🙏. I am always very happy when parents tell me they already know this option is the safest, as it means the information is reaching more people.
However, when we see that many of our friends continue to travel with their children forward-facing, doubts and fears arise. Which is super NORMAL! So, relax! ❤️
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The child will get carsick
The child will get carsick rear-facing
"Poor child, they'll get carsick!"🤢🤮🙊
I understand the argument, because we're thinking of the child as a "mini-me", aren't we? We're thinking that if it were us, we'd get carsick and wouldn't enjoy the experience. So, we end up projecting this onto our child.
The reality is that the baby is already traveling rear-facing in the infant car seat (or "ovinho" or "babycoque"). Therefore, continuing rear-facing is just that... a continuation. It's nothing new. 😉
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The child will vomit
Just like the previous myth, this is a big projection😜. The truth is, we don't think about these issues when the baby is in the infant seat 🐣... I'm quite curious why these questions arise when we move to the next car seat.
After all, the issue of vomiting is much rarer than you might imagine 🤷♀️. And if it does happen, it's most likely related to the consumption of dairy products 🥛🍧🍨🧀 before the trip. For long journeys, or those with curves, avoid giving these types of foods to your child before traveling.
The intention of buying a car seat is to protect our child's life in case of an accident. With this intention, choosing a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, at least until 4 years of age, will be 5 times safer than the option of traveling forward-facing.
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Communication will be difficult
Frequently, one of the concerns about traveling rear-facing is that communication becomes more difficult. However, if an adult travels in the back with the child, communication is even enhanced with better posture during the trip. In fact, there are several advantages, such as:
We can look our children in the eye, which helps with emotional regulation and bonding;
Additionally, we achieve correct posture during the trip, as no one has to crane their neck to see the other, being face-to-face, which improves communication.
And, no less important, it's another opportunity to establish a connection with our child.
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There won't be enough legroom
Frequently, this is one of the biggest concerns I hear about traveling rear-facing. It's very normal to worry about our children's well-being and comfort, and of course, we want them to travel comfortably. Check out the next article where I'll give you tips on how to choose a car seat with legroom for your little ones.
Of course, we all want the best for our children, and that means NEVER compromising their safety ❤️.
How long should children travel rear-facing? The answer is: "For as long as possible!" But what does this mean?
It is recommended that children use rear-facing car seats until they are three years old, and if possible, for longer. Even if the child's legs are not fully extended, their safety will not be affected.*
In summary, the principle of traveling rear-facing is very simple:
In the event of a frontal collision, it is the child's entire back that bears the forces produced by the impact, not their much more vulnerable neck.
In fact, the relative movement between the head, neck, spine, spinal cord, and chest is much smaller than in forward-facing car seats. In rear-facing car seats, the entire support of the car seat holds the child - both their back and head - during a frontal collision, and not just the seat belts, whose surface is narrower and, as demonstrated, cannot effectively control the child's head movement.
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Plus Test car seats (rear-facing) available at Bonabebe store, and you can use my code thebonasdaughter for a discount
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- "Volvo for life – A Safety Manual Children in Cars" Guide, 2004.2. www.volvocars.com/uk/sales-services/sales/volvo-accessories/child-safety/pages/faq.aspx (15/2/2011).3. Carlsson, D, Norin, H, Ysander, L. Rearward-facing child seat – the safety car restraint for children? Anal. Prev. 1991 Apr-Jun;23(2-3):175-82.
