Sorry -- it's one year and 20 lbs, according to American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations:
Children should face the rear of the vehicle until they are at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 lb to decrease the risk of cervical spine injury in the event of a crash. Infants who weigh 20 lb before 1 year of age should ride rear facing in a convertible seat or infant seat approved for higher weights until at least 1 year of age. If a car safety seat accommodates children rear facing to higher weights, for optimal protection, the child should remain rear facing until reaching the maximum weight for the car safety seat, as long as the top of the head is below the top of the seat back.I just read here that Britney's record company is now claiming she did nothing wrong because her eight-month-old son is over 20 lbs. But he's not over a year old yet.
My youngest is 4½ months old, and was a hair under 19 lbs at his four-month check up. He'll be 20 lbs. any day now. I'm not going to switch him to a forward-facing because he's over 20 lbs. Rather, I'll get a convertible seat like the one his two-year-old sister rides in, but keep it rear-facing until he's at least a year old.
It's not a question of complying with the law or too many federal regulations for me. It's a question of keeping my kids as safe as possible.
Hmmm, I was told at the hospital it was either/or. I wonder if the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations are more conservative than the federal regulation that is what Britney's record company is claiming compliance with?
No argument here on keeping your kid safe, though. I've got another one popping out in a month. The way people drive around here, it's probably best to limit their car experiences as much as possible.