In what direction should infant car seats face?

Infant car seats should face backwards, which is the safest position for young children. This rear-facing orientation is designed to support the child's head, neck, and spine in the event of a collision. During a crash, the rear-facing seat distributes the impact force across the back of the seat, providing better protection for the infant’s delicate body compared to other orientations.

Safety experts, including organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend that infants remain in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the highest weight or height limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. This guidance is based on extensive research showing that rear-facing seats are significantly more effective at reducing the risk of serious injury or death in young children during car accidents.

In contrast, forward-facing, sideways, or diagonally positioned seats do not provide the same level of protection, as they expose more of the child's body to potential injury and do not support the fragile neck and head as effectively during a crash. Thus, adhering to the rear-facing requirement is crucial for ensuring the safety of infants while traveling in vehicles.