Updated Guidelines: Rear-Facing Car Seat Installation and Transition Timing
We've made important updates to our car seat safety guidelines. Please see below for revised instructions on rear-facing car seat installation and positioning, as well as new guidelines on how long children should remain in rear-facing mode. These updates apply retroactively to all infant and convertible car seats across our Dorel Juvenile brands, including Maxi-Cosi, Safety 1st, and Cosco Kids.
Update: When to Transition from Rear-Facing
The safety of your child is our top priority. To ensure maximum protection, your child must remain in rear-facing mode until they outgrow any one of the following: Weight Limit, Height Limit, or Child Fit Requirements. These limits are specific to each car seat model. Please consult your owner's manual for the exact requirements for your particular car seat.
Remember: Keeping your child rear-facing for as long as possible is the safest option. Only transition to forward-facing when your child has outgrown one of the above criteria for your rear-facing seat.
Update: Rear-Facing Installation
New safety studies have led to updated rear-facing car seat installation guidelines for all Dorel Juvenile brands. When installing rear-facing in an outboard position (behind driver or front passenger), the car seat must now touch or be as close as possible to the vehicle seat in front. This retroactive update applies to all models, including older ones, and overrides previous instructions. See the diagram below for correct positioning. Always prioritize your child's safety by following these latest guidelines along with your specific model's instructions.