Success!

Our twins are almost 17 months old and have finally hit 20 pounds, so
they've met the two milestones that the Britax Marathon carseats
have for changing to the front-facing position. However, in the back
of my mind I'm remembering that there might be a reason for keeping
them rear-facing for as long as possible. (The Marathon can be rear-
facing up to 33 lb.) Or am I just remembering that they need to
meet both the age and the weight? Please advise if you remember or
know! I'd love to turn them around - it's so much easier!

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One year and 20 lbs is the MINIMUM to face forward. AAP policy since 2001 has been than children should rear-face to the limits of their seat. For Britax Marathons, that’s 33 lbs OR when the top of the head reaches the top of the car seat shell.

Check this website for additional information, especially the crash test videos at the bottom of the page:

http://cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx

Remember, every step “up” in car seats—from rear- to forward-facing, from harness to belt-positioning booster, from booster to seatbelt alone—is a step DOWN in safety. It is safest to keep your kids rear-facing and harnessed as long as possible.

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Thank you for your response. Based on your thoughts and responses from many other moms, I will keep them back-facing for as long as I can. Right now, they face their big brother, so it’s a big party in the backseat anyway! (The video link you sent convinced me, without a doubt!)

Take care and thanks for taking the time,

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