Consumer Reports is urging parents to buy a convertible car seat sooner, rather than later, to protect young children from head injuries.

The new guidelines advise parents to make the switch from infant seat to rear-facing convertible car seat by the child's first birthday. The switch may need to be made even sooner, depending upon the child's height and weight.

The testing done by Consumer Reports found that the rear-facing seats offered additional protection for the head, compared to the infant seats.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents keep children in rear-facing seats until age 2 and laws in several states require such seats. The new Consumer Reports recommendation does not change the need for two car seats, only suggests that parents consider switching to the rear-facing option sooner rather than later.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Trains line the tracks during Tracks of Hope, an event hosted by Norfolk Southern in support of Hope Atlanta, in Forest Park, on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Norfolk Southern has become a prominent corporate citizen in the metro region, donating millions to charitable causes. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images