It is true that many parents have switched to front facing car seats, but there are benefits for using an Extended Rear Facing Car Seat for as long as possible. One of the greatest advantages is safety for the child. Seats that face rear are many times safer for children aged one to four years old according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Switching to front facing or booster seats can reduce protection in the event of a crash. Seats that face rear absorb the majority of the force from a crash and offers support to the neck, head and spine. Children riding in forward facing seats can suffer from head or spinal injuries during a crash because their heads thrust forward. Many car manufacturers produce rear facing seats for children that weigh up to fifty pounds, which gives parents an option.