It is safer, & if you have the choice, I'd have her rear facing for as long as possible. Other countries have seats that rear face til a child is 4.

I heard a while ago that the laws may be changing to RF til over 12 months. I haven't heard as much about it lately though, since I don't have smaller kids anymore.

I turned DD3 at 8.5 months. We were on a long trip & she was in a mood. Wished I hadn't when she was still grumpy!