What is a recommended safety measure for infants regarding transportation?

The recommended safety measure for infants regarding transportation is to use rear-facing car seats until at least 2 years old. This approach is supported by research showing that infants and toddlers are significantly safer when seated in a rear-facing position during travel. In this configuration, the car seat supports the child’s head, neck, and spine in the event of a collision, reducing the risk of serious injury.

The guidelines from organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics advocate for keeping children in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible, ideally until they reach the maximum height or weight limit set by the car seat manufacturer, which is typically around 2 years of age or older. This is crucial as young children have proportionately larger heads compared to their bodies, making them more vulnerable to injury in forward-facing positions.

The other transportation methods mentioned, such as forward-facing car seats and booster seats, are intended for older children who have outgrown rear-facing car seats. They do not offer the same level of protection for infants. Moreover, removing car seats after just one year disregards essential safety guidelines and may expose infants to unnecessary risks during transportation.