New Baby Gear Safety Regulations 2012

The infant car seat was simply that — a car seat for babies in their first year. Once they celebrated that one-year milestone — and reached 20 pounds — parents switched them to forward-facing seats for the next few years.

The problem: The latest recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have tots remaining in rear-facing seats until they reach 2 years old or reach the height or weight limits of the seat.

The fix: Given the new recommendations, many older seats aren't large enough to hold a 2-year-old, so parents need to carefully review their owner's manuals before placing new babies in previously used seats.