[SusanMae]

1 yr and 20 is really old and out dated advise for when to turn your child Forward Facing. The AAP, NHTSA and SafeKids now reccomend(and have for over 5 yrs) that children remain RF to the limits of their convertible carseats. Keeping in mind that the top of their heads can be no closer than 1" to the edge of the shell at the top of the seat.

When they are RF--the can get a better recline to nap. And more importantly in a crash--that WHOLE carseat back is going to take most of those crash forces--not your child. When FF, those crash forces are spread out over your childs body via the harness. Also when children are FF---they are 4 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash. In Sweden they RF their children for 4-5 yrs and they have less than 1 death per year from car crashed in the under 5 age group, but here car crashes are the number one killer of all people 1-34 yrs.

As to your seat---there have been some issues with the new Recaro convertible seats that have come out...so I would go with a tried and true Britax right now--at least until Recaro has worked their bugs out. If you have a BRU or a TRU you can take the seats out to your car and do a "test install to see if they'll work for you. Also with an older baby with good head control...you can install the seat a little more upright. That 45 degree recline is for newborns.

Susan,CPST

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Convertible Car Seats Convertible seats are for infants and toddlers. The seat can be used as a rear-facing seats for younger children, and switched to a forward-facing seat on the child's first birthday if the child weighs at least 20 pounds. However, experts recommend keeping the child in a rear-facing position until he or she outgrows the weight or height allowed by the safety seat.

	RECARO - Click for more info With over 100 years of company history and long standing experience in vehicle seat construction RECARO knows how to make long journeys a pleasure for the whole family. Materials, design and technical highlights ensure a pleasant journey for adults and children alike. RECARO uses its strength as the premier mobile seat manufacturer to engineer an innovative line of products for your children. No other manufacturer can apply experience from production vehicles, commercial vehicles, and race cars to design toward the comfort and safety of children.