Lack Of Evidence Of Leg Injury From Actual Crashes
There are ZERO documented cases of rear-facing children breaking their legs, hips, feet, etc., due to their feet touching the back of the vehicle seat. In fact, studies show that forward-facing kids suffer many more leg injuries than rear-facing kids. The leg injuries to forward-facing children occur when the childs legs fly up and hit the back of the front seat as the child and car seat are moving forward. This traps the childs legs, putting tremendous pressure into the leg bones. This pressure can break the legs.
Child Car Seat Quick Tips
Here are some things you might need to keep in mind about transitioning your child from rear-facing to forward-facing:
- When its time for your child to face forward, use a forward-facing seat that features a harness. Remember to use that forward-facing seat for as long as possible or until they reach the limits for it.
- Once your child reaches that limit, you should start using a booster seat until they are old enough to use the car seat belt. Most children will need a booster seat until they are approximately 49, typically until 10-12 years of age. Once they stop using a booster seat, ensure they use both the lap and shoulder seat belts for protection .
When Can A Baby Face Forward In A Car Seat 2022
Minimum weight to face forward
40 Pounds or more
Best weight to face forward
That depends on the local laws and your babys age, weight, and height.
2 years old is a simple and direct tip for a few states, where the highway officials require that a toddler younger than 2 years old should stay in a rear-facing child safety seat.
But if you live out of those states listed above for requiring toddlers younger than 2 years to stay in a rear-facing car seat, just follow the local laws anyway.
Most US states have made rules to ride a child in the safety car seat.
Its a good idea to check the local laws before purchasing a car seat for newborn babies because you need to confirm whether you need to purchase a baby car seat with high rear-facing weight/height limits or not.
As long as your child meets the very fundamental requirements of a forward-facing ride, its the best time for transition from rear-facing to front-facing.
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Fitting A Child Car Seat
You must only use a child car seat if your cars seat belt has a diagonal strap, unless the seat is either:
- specifically designed for use with a lap seat belt
- fitted using ISOFIX anchor points
You must also:
- deactivate any front airbags before fitting a rear-facing baby seat in a front seat
- not fit a child car seat in side-facing seats
The Child Car Seats website has information on how to choose a seat and travel safely with children in cars.
Why Is It Safer For Newborns To Face Forward In Car Seats
In a neck impact, children looking on would be thrown forcibly. This exerts strain upon that delicate cervical spine, perhaps resulting in significant harm.
When your baby is in a drivers side baby carrier, the pressures are distributed across the shoulder blade, safeguarding their sensitive cervical spine. Because frontal encounters account for 70% of all incidents, youngsters should go backward-facing until young neck muscles have fully formed.
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At What Weight Can A Baby Face Forward
Your baby should weigh at least 20 pounds to face forward in a car seat.
After turning to front-facing with the 5-point harness, the majority of car seats are capable of fitting kids between 22-65 pounds.
Few come with a 20-lb minimum weight, like the Britax convertible car seats. Even less features a 25-lb minimum weight, like the Chicco MyFit harness booster and Fit4 4-in-1 convertible car seat.
Thats the lowest weight limit required in the 5-point harness.
Babies should weigh a bit more to face forward in a booster seat or a multi-functional child safety seat in booster mode. The 40-pound weight is a basic and normal standard.
Weight limits for forward facing car seats
What weight for forward-facing child restraint system vary based on the car seat types, stages/modes, and even the brands or the individual car seat.
What car seat can face forward?
Convertibles, combination, all-in-one, and boosters.
What car seat stages allow to face forward?
The second of 5-point forward-facing and the third of booster. When you want to know the answer to this question how much should a baby weigh to face forward in the car seat, it is generally related to the minimum weight requirement for different stages and types.
Convertible car seats for the 2nd stage in a 5-point harness feature a common low weight requirement of 22 pounds, except that Britax convertibles are capable of as low as 20 pounds.
The standard upper weight limit is 65 pounds in the 5-point harness.
Why Is Keeping Them Rear Facing Important
While the child is rear facing their whole back, neck and head are being supported by the seat in the event of a crash. When turned forward facing, the child is restrained by the harness strap and they lose the neck and head support. This increases their risk of spinal and neck injury from the still heavy head being thrown forward in a crash.
Getting parents to delay the transition to a forward-facing seat still represents an opportunity to improve passenger safety in the U.S., says lead author Michelle L. Macy, M.D., M.S., of the University of Michigans C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital.
Car crashes are still a leading cause of death among children younger than 4 years old and is the leading cause of death among older children. This is often in part because children are unrestrained or not using the restraint recommended for their age and size.
There are lots of reasons why parents are eager to change from the rear-facing to forward-facing seat: the perception their children are too large, the desire to see their children when driving, and a greater ease of removing their children from a forward facing seat, says Macy. But delaying the switch can make a big difference. In Sweden it is culturally accepted that children up to age 4 are in rear-facing seats and child traffic fatalities are among the lowest in the world.
Read more about keeping children in a rear-facing seat:
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I Thought My Child Could Turn Forward
This is NOT correct. Many years ago, in the days before the iPhone was invented, the minimum to turn forward facing was 1 year and 20 pounds.
In 2011 both the AAP and NHTSA updated their recommendations to reflect the latest research in child passenger safety. The AAP now recommends that kids sit rear-facing until at least age 2 and for longer if possible. NHTSA now recommends: Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seats manufacturer.
How Much Does A 2 Year Old Weigh
Wondering how much should a 2-year-old weigh? Average weight for a 24-month-old is 26.5 pounds for girls and 27.5 pounds for boys, according to the World Health Organization. How tall is the average 2-year-old? Average height for a 24-month-old baby is 33.5 inches for girls and 34.2 inches for boys.
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When Can Your Child Or Toddler Face Forward In A Childs Car Seat
There are two regulations in force relating to childrens car seats, ECE R44 04 and ECE R129 or i-Size. Both have different requirements.
Technically, forward-facing R44 seats are approved for children weighing from 9kgs and forward-facing R129 seats are approved for children taller than 76cms. However, there is no standard child. Two children weighing the same or being the same height will, no doubt, have different physiques.
At In Car Safety Centre, we will advise you to continue using rear-facing seats for as long as possible because it is simply safer than forward-facing.
Can I Turn My 2 Year Old Forward Facing
What are the height and weight requirements for a forward facing car seat?
Read on to know the height and weight requirements for forward-facing car seats. Car seats are classified, based on the age and weight of the children riding in them. Rear-facing seats are built in such a way, that the baby faces the back of the car, as this has been determined as the safest seating option for infants.
Whats the maximum weight a child can sit in the front seat?
Usually, the maximum weight limit is between 40 and 65 pounds. When a child has outgrown the weight and height limits for a forward-facing seat, theyll need a belt-positioning booster seat. Shop for one now. This helps a child sit at the safest angle and height to prevent injuries in a car accident.
What is the weight limit for a convertible car seat?
Keep in mind that many convertible car seats and combination car seats have forward-facing weight limits of 65 to 80 pounds when used with harness straps.
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Is My Car Seat Or Booster Seat Safe To Use
- Check that your seat is approved for use in Canada. Look for the National Safety Mark on your car seat or booster seat:
- Read the labels and instructions to make sure that your child is within the age, weight, and height limits for the seat.
- Most manufacturers recommend that you replace a car seat that has been in a car crash, even a minor one. Contact your manufacturer if you are unsure.
- If you do not know the history of the seat, it may no longer be safe to use. Make sure you have all the parts, including the instruction manual.
- All car seats expire. Plastic and metal parts wear out over time. Contact the manufacturer if you are unsure when your seat expires.
- Check Transport Canadas website to see if your seat has been recalled.
- Register your childs seat with the manufacturer. They will contact you if there is a recall.
What Does The Law Say
Do you know that you get fines on the basis of how you kept your baby in your car? For instance, if your baby is less than 40 pounds and 40 inches, and you have placed them on a forward-facing seat, you can get a fine of $100 to $250, depending on the situation.
All the states in the United States have their specific baby car seat laws. If youâre not obeying them accordingly, you will be subjected to tickets on your license and fines provided the police stops you.
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To Secure Your Child In A 5
- For your rear-facing child, make sure the harness straps are in the slot level with or just below your childs shoulders.
- For your forward-facing child, make sure the harness straps are in the slot level with or just above your childs shoulders.
- Tighten the harness straps. You should not be able to pinch the harness at the shoulder. The harness should be flat with no twists.
- Place the chest clip at armpit level.
- Bulky clothing or snowsuits should not be worn in the car seat. They can interfere with proper harness tightening and placement.
When To Move To A Forward
Youll know your baby has outgrown their rear-facing car seat when they reach the maximum height or weight for their restraint check the manufacturers instructions.
- AUS/NZ standard seats have height markers.
- For other standards the childs head within 2.5cm of the top of the seat is a good indication theyre growing out of it.
Note that their feet coming over the end of the restraint isnt a problem.
Outgrowing the restraint doesnt mean its time for the child to turn forward-facing. Its recommended children sit rear-facing for as long as possible, and ideally beyond the age of two.
If youre uncertain, contact a child restraint technician for advice.
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What To Watch Out For To Ensure Children Passengers Safety
You should keep a few things in mind to ensure your child is as safe as possible when riding in a car seat. First of all, make sure the seat is correctly installed. The NHTSA has a helpful guide on how to install a car seat.
Secondly, be sure to read the instructions that come with your car seat. Every seat is different, and its essential to follow the specific instructions for your seat.
Third, make sure your child is properly buckled in. The harness should be snug against the childs body, and the chest clip should be at armpit level.
Finally, dont forget to register your car seat. This will ensure that you are notified of a recall on the seat. You can register your car seat here.
Follow The Manufacturers Manual
If youre using a front-facing car seat, make sure its installed according to the manufacturers instructions and that your child is harnessed in properly. Again, it should be in the back seat and as close to the middle of the vehicle as possible.
Secure all items in the car that could become projectiles in a crash, such as groceries, toys, and laptop computers.
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Risk Of Spinal And Neck Injuries
According to Dr. Garbi, rear-facing car seats are especially effective at protecting the spine, which reduces neck and spinal injuries. Moreover, when a child sits rear-facing, their head, neck, and torso all move together in a straight line, helping them avoid the whiplash motion.
In contrast, when a child is prematurely facing forward during a crash, their disproportionately large head is thrown forward, potentially causing severe injuries to the neck or spine.
Only The Rear Is Viewable
Most families use bottle booster seats for young children for even the most part. Retractable vehicles frequently include a framework mount and a detachable seat section. As an element of a bike trailer, the recliners are commonly combined with carriages. These restraints are essential to be carried far outside the vehicle, those who usually have reduced body composition restrictions.
Your infant can transfer into a hybrid adaptable or 3-in-1 equipment with a heavier mass as well as stature capacity once theyve hit a wall for their drivers side only seat, which is usually 35 kilograms with 35 centimeters.
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When Can Babies Face Forward In A Car Seat
Before 2018, it was acceptable and appropriate to switch your child from rear facing to forward facing at the age of two. However, there have been changes made in recent years. You need to wait as long as possible as suggested by the AAP, NHTSA, and FAA.
Moving on, now that you have a better idea of the rear facing and forward facing car seat, it will be easier for you to understand the difference and make the right choice.
If you look at your child and see that he/she is still too young to ride forward facing, you shouldnt switch too soon. It is important to note that when you and your child are ready, it is the appropriate time to make a change.
Do Not Switch Before The Age Of Two
Do keep in mind that you should not think about switching before the age of two or if they weigh less than 40-50 pounds, at least at the age of 8 to 12.
It can be a risky thing to do as you want your child to fit on the seat perfectly without slouching or leaning, but most importantly, the seat belt should fit the child and place accurately. This is because instead of the harness being too loose, it will be fitted well on your child, and they will be unable to unbuckle.
This is important to keep in mind because once your child is the right fit for the seat, it will protect you from injuries and any impact from the forces of a crash.
When Can I Turn My Baby Around To Face Forward In The Car
Determining when a baby can face forward in the car is an important milestone for parents. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should remain in rear-facing car seats until they have outgrown car seat height and weight limits of the seat.1
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At What Age Can A Baby Face Forward
Its a convention that most parents turn the car seat to forward-facing after their kids second birthday because the rear-facing position is safer for small babies than forward-facing.
Its required in some states and a preferable option for the other states that require toddlers older than 1 year can turn to forward-facing.
Age limit for forward facing car seat
There are several types of car seats that can face forward, including convertible, harness to booster, all-in-one, and booster.
The first three car seat types dont specify the minimum age to face front.
The booster car seats and car seats that are used in booster mode combination and all-in-one, always say that only kids older than 4 years old are allowed to ride in a forward-facing booster seat.
The upper age limit is not specified.
After all, kids older than 8 years old are allowed to wear a seat belt for safety in most cities.
Further Information
