Extended rear facing (ERF) car seats are becoming more popular after the safety benefits were realised in Sweden by child safety experts to keep children travelling as safely as possible on the road and from that developed the Swedish Plus Test which subjects seats entered for the test through harsher crash testing than standardised testing does.  Newborn car seats are always rear facing and there’s no reason to change that for the toddler stage. Rear facing child seats are safer and more comfortable than forward facing equivalents and all car seat suppliers have ERF options to choose from within their ranges.

Children should be rear facing for as long as possible and the best type of seat will be the one most suited to their weight and height so it will vary from child to child. Seeking the advice from a car seat specialist to check it fits your car and child will ensure you get the safest seat and get best value for money to ensure your child can stay rear facing from ages birth to 6 (approx).