Rear-Facing Seats (Birth to 1 Year)
Use the right car seat for your child
- This stage starts with your infant’s first ride home from the hospital
- Until he or she is at least one year old AND 9 kg (20 lb.).
Download and print our Rear-Facing Car Seats (Birth to 1 Year) Fact Sheet.[PDF]
Key points for rear-facing car seats
- All drivers must ensure all children in their vehicle who are up to one year of age AND up to 9 kg (20 lb.) use a rear-facing car seat.
- All children must remain rear facing until at least one year of age AND at least 9 kg (20 lb.). They may remain rear-facing until they reach the child seat’s weight limit for the rear-facing position.
- Rear-facing car seats support and protect the head and spine in the event of a crash.
- Rear-facing car seats are required by law in BC for transporting children.
-
Look for a label that says the rear-facing child seat complies with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard CMVSS213.1
- Be sure to give your child frequent breaks from being in their infant seat. Take your baby out of the infant seat and put him or her into a stroller if you are going shopping or running errands. Plan regular stops if you are taking a longer road trip.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and read your vehicle owner’s manual.
WARNING! Never place a rear-facing child seat in a front passenger seat with an active air bag. Death or serious injury can occur. Always check for the “SRS” or “Air bag” marking on the dash to indicate that an air bag is installed.
Different styles of rear-facing child car seats
Infant seats (rear-facing) only are for children:
- Starting from their first ride home from the hospital.
- Until at least one year old AND at least 9 kg (20 lb.).
Infant/child (convertible) rear-facing seats are for children:
- Who have outgrown the infant seat.
- Until at least one year old AND at least 9kg (20 lb.).
- They may remain rear-facing until they reach the weight limit for the seat in the rear-facing position. (Weight limits vary — check the manufacturer’s instructions).
Infant/Child/Booster (3-In-One) rear-facing seats are for children:
- Who have outgrown the infant seat.
- Until at least one year old AND at least 9kg (20 lb.).
- They may remain rear-facing until they reach the weight limit for the seat in the rear-facing position. (Weight limits vary — check the manufacturer’s instructions).
Installing the rear-facing seat
Rear-facing child seats must be installed correctly to ensure your child is as safe as possible.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and read your vehicle owner’s manual.
Intallation Checklist
Harnessing checklist for rear-facing child car seat
- I have read the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Harness is not twisted.
- Harness is just below your baby’s shoulder level.
- Harness is snug so that no more than two fingers can fit between the harness and your baby’s collarbone.
- Chest clip is positioned at the arm pit level.
- Child is secured in the harness before placing blankets over him or her.
- Rolled receiving blanket is placed on each side of your child’s head for support.
- Nothing is placed between your baby and the child car seat’s padding.
- Bunting bags or bulky clothing are not used. The thick material can compress in a crash resulting in loosened harness straps.
- Child is never left unattended in the car seat.
Make sure you don't rush the transition from the rear-facing to the forward-facing position. Your child must remain rear-facing until at least one year AND at least 9 kg (20 lb.).
More information
For more information, be sure to check:
BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation/ICBC Child Passenger Safety Program