Keeping your child safe during travel is very important, and rear-facing car seats have consistently been proven to be the safest option for our youngest passengers. In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of rear-facing car seats, how to choose the right one, installation tips, transitioning to forward-facing seats, and more. We’ll also answer frequently asked questions to give you all the information you need.

Babies and toddlers have heads that are proportionally larger and heavier compared to the rest of their bodies. In a forward-facing seat during a crash, this can put a lot of strain on their neck and spine. Rear-facing seats provide better support by spreading the impact forces more evenly across the back, which helps reduce the risk of injury.

In a crash, the forces involved can make even a small object feel extremely heavy. For a young child in a forward-facing seat, this means their head is thrown forward with great force, which can cause serious neck and spinal injuries. A rear-facing car seat, however, cradles the child's head, neck, and spine, allowing the seat to absorb the impact instead of the child's body.

Choosing the right rear-facing car seat is key to keeping your child safe and comfortable. Here are some important factors to keep in mind when selecting one:

1. Weight and height limits: Manufacturers set these parameters to ensure safe use. Most rear-facing seats can handle weights from 2 to 18 kilograms (5 to 40 pounds) and heights up to 100 centimeters (40 inches).

2. Safety features: Look for seats with advanced safety features such as a 5-point harness, energy-absorbing foam, and side-impact protection. Make sure the seat is tested and certified by trusted safety organizations.

3. Installation ease: Safety starts with installation. Opt for seats with straightforward installation processes, clear instructions, and features like adjustable recline angles and user-friendly buckles.

4. Comfort and durability: Choose seats with plush padding, adjustable headrests, and removable covers for easy cleaning. It should also be sturdy enough to handle daily use without wear and tear.

Choosing a car seat that is safety tested and certified is crucial for ensuring your child's protection on the road. Every Thule car seat undergoes rigorous testing to ensure parents can trust their child's security, no matter the adventure they're on.

Thule car seats not only meet the European Norm R 129/03 standards but also exceed them, undergoing even stricter testing by European consumer organizations and passing the rigorous Swedish PLUS test, which only rearward-facing car seats can clear.

Vision Zero, adopted by the Swedish parliament in 1997, sets the ambitious goal of eliminating fatalities and severe injuries in road traffic. Central to achieving this goal is the rigorous Swedish Plus Test, renowned as one of the toughest crash tests worldwide for child car seats.

Rearward-facing car seats are significantly safer than forward-facing seats in frontal crashes, which are the most common type of collision. This is why rearward-facing seats are the only ones that pass the rigorous PLUS test. The PLUS test is voluntary but highly respected, testing car seats beyond standard regulatory requirements like EN R129/3 (previously ECE R44), which all car seats must meet to be sold on the market.

Therefore, we are proud to have designed our safest car seat, the rearward-facing Thule Elm Toddler car seat, which has been PLUS tested and approved.

At the Thule Test Center™ in Hillerstorp, Sweden, products go through extreme testing. That means exposure to desert heat and arctic cold, water resistance, drop tests, and wind tunnels to tensile, shock, and crash tests. The Thule Test Program™ includes over 25 Thule Test Standards that far exceed the current ISO standard.

Thule tests according to the R129 protocol – a crucial regulation within the EU that dictates if a product can be sold within its jurisdiction. It provides a stringent framework for safety standards, including enhanced side-impact protection, ISOFIX installation, and improved fitting for children based on their size, and ensures a fit between car and child car seat.

Beyond meeting the mandatory standards, Thule tests its seats according to the protocols of the renowned Stiftung Warentest/ADAC testing. These tests present more demanding crash scenarios, including heavier impacts and varying angles, and extend to the practicality of handling by consumers and chemical safety. This comprehensive testing ensures that Thule car seats are not only robust in protection but also exemplary in daily use.

When your baby's head reaches or goes beyond the top of the infant seat, it's time to move to a larger, rearward-facing seat suitable for older children.

Under R 129, the child's length is the main criterion. When your child outgrows the maximum approved size of the seat (check the label or manual), it's time to switch to the next category. This typically happens around 105 cm, which is around 4 years old on average.

Local adaptations of the R 129 regulation determine whether the seat should be used up to 135 cm or 150 cm, and/or until the child is 12 years old. As an extra safety tip: Even if your local law allows using the vehicle belt from 135 cm, keep your child in the child seat up to 150 cm to ensure they're protected as best as possible.

Babies should remain in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit specified by the car seat manufacturer. This typically means keeping them rear-facing until they are at least two years old.

It's recommended to continue using a rear-facing car seat until your child reaches the height or weight limit set by the car seat manufacturer. Typically, this transition occurs around the age of two, but it may vary depending on the child's growth rate and the specific car seat guidelines. At Thule we recommend rearward facing travel up to 4 years or until end of usage of the toddler seat.

Car seats should be rear-facing for infants and young children up to at least two years old, or until they reach the maximum height or weight limit specified by the car seat manufacturer. This position offers optimal protection for their developing neck and spine in the event of a crash.

Babies can safely transition to a forward-facing car seat once they have outgrown the height or weight limits of their rear-facing seat, typically around the age of two. However, it's crucial to follow the guidelines provided by the car seat manufacturer and ensure that your child meets the necessary criteria for forward-facing travel.

When determining whether a car seat is suitable for your vehicle, it's important to focus on its homologation rather than just its direction of use. Most vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and minivans, can accommodate rear-facing car seats. However, to ensure proper installation and compatibility, it's advisable to consult both the car seat manual and your vehicle's owner's manual.