When To Switch To Front Facing Car Seat

Infant And Convertible Car Seats: What’s The Difference

Parents have the option of choosing between an infant and a convertible car seat when traveling with their baby. Both are safe options if your baby meets the car seat’s height and weight recommendations. You also have to make sure you know how to securely install the seat. It’s important to choose the seat that works best for your baby and your needs. Here are the key differences between infant and convertible car seats.

When To Switch Car Seats

Its a good time to be a kid in a car: both cars and car seats continue to get safer, child vehicle fatalities are down , and car seat usage is up. Much of the effectiveness of a car seat rests in its specificity: it needs to be the right fit and size for the kid and their developmental stage. But with so many car seats available and configurations possible, it can be daunting to decide which seat to get and when to get it. Heres a rundown of the different types of seats and a checklist to see if your kid has outgrown their current seat and is ready for the next one.

Can My 18 Month Old Sit Forward Facing

All manufacturers of convertible safety seats the kind that can be rear- or forward-facing say in the instructions that the seat must be rear-facing until the child reaches 1 year and 20 or 22 pounds, local officials said. Child safety specialists said they have long known that rear-facing is safest for all ages.

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Should Carseat Be On Passenger Or Driver Side

For ease of access and keeping an eye on a baby, the most common spot for a babys car seat is the rear passenger side. But the study showed that children under age 3 seated in the center of the back seat had nearly half the risk of injury in motor vehicle crashes than children seated in either of the other positions.

What To Do With Your Old Car 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 Do I Use A Booster Seat

• A booster seat positions your child so that the seat belt fits across the strong bones of the hips and pelvis and not the abdomen, to protect your child from injury.
• While seated in the booster seat, the lap belt should fit low and snug across your childs hips, and not up on their belly.
• The shoulder portion of the seat belt should be positioned over the chest and collarbone, staying between your childs neck and shoulder so that it does not touch the neck.
• Follow the directions for the booster seat to know how to route the seat belt under any armrests or through any belt guides, as directed.

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What Weight Can A Car Seat Carry Facing Forward

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children stay in a rear-facing vehicle safety seat for as long as possible, until they reach the maximum weight or height permitted by their seat . After this point, children should switch to a forward-facing seat.

In general, the more passengers you have in your vehicle, the lower your overall capacity is. So if you have a large family or go on vacation often, you might want to get a bigger car or truck. Otherwise, you’ll be forced to make room for more luggage!

The weight limit of a child’s safety seat is important because it determines how big the restraint itself can be. The heavier the child, the thicker the material used for their seat cushion must be. Thicker seats are better because they provide more protection in an accident.

Thickness also affects how well a seat fits into a smaller space. So the heavier your child, the larger the seat pads or cushions must be. Smaller seats need thicker padding to protect children who weigh less.

The weight limit also determines what types of vehicles are suitable for using child safety seats. Some cars only have back seats, so safety seats designed for use in these types of vehicles cannot be used with infants.

How Long Should Your Child Stay Forward Facing

For as long as possible! Just like the rear facing car seat, it is also important to keep your child forward facing as long as possible until he/she exceeds the height and weight limits of the car seat.

This is important because the more you transition, the more unprotected your child is from the impacts of crashes and can get severe head, neck, abdomen, or broken legs injuries.

It is important for you to note that your child can stay on the seat for a really long time as the forward facing convertible car seat can withhold your childs weight from 40 to 100 pounds nonetheless, it also depends on the model of the car seat you are using.

Do keep in mind that there is no rush when it comes to making a car seat switch. This is because your child is sitting safely, comfortably, and securely and that is what should really matter, right?

Besides that, manufacturers design car seats that can last for up to 6 to 10 years max, so it is given that your child can have extra space until he/she grows up in it, and then it is finally time to make a switch.

In addition to that, if you are making a transition, it is important that instead of moving your child to a seat belt, make sure to put them on booster seats first as they are far safer than moving to a seat belt right away.

If you would like to know more about booster seats, then I wrote this article on What Age Can My Kids Transition To Booster Seats? for you to read.

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Understanding The Guidelines For Front

While 1 year and 20 pounds used to be the standard for when to flip car seats around, most experts now recommend using rear-facing child seats until children outgrow the top weight and height recommendations of the car seat manufacturer. This means your child may be rear-facing until well beyond their second birthday.

There are some situations in which facing backward may seem uncomfortable for a childlike long road trips where it seems like the little ones legs are cramped up against the back of the seat. You shouldnt let the baby face forward in the car simply because they seem uncomfortable or dont like to be rear facing.

Tots are generally very flexible and even when they seem cramped up by adult standards, they can actually be quite comfortable.

Adding a mirror that allows your child to see themselves while you are driving can help alleviate stress and boredom. And taking breaks during long trips can give your little one time to stretch their legs.

When Can A Car Seat Be Turned Front Facing

While 1 year and 20 pounds used to be the standard for when to flip car seats around, most experts now recommend using rear-facing child seats until children are 2 years old and reach the top weight and height recommendations of the car seat manufacturer, which is typically around 30 pounds and 36 inches.

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Children Are Built Differently

Dr. Segura points out that children are not just little adults. “Their bodies are differently proportioned and structured, and this difference affects their ability to tolerate the whiplash motion.”

The reason, she explains, is because a baby’s head makes up 25 percent of their body, whereas an adult’s head only makes up 6 percent. “A rear-facing baby, instead of pulling forward with four times as much force as an adult’s, will slide gently up into the back of car seat,” she adds.

What Are The Requirements For Car Booster Seats

All children whose weight or height exceeds the forward-facing restriction for their car safety seat should utilize a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, often when they are 4 feet 9 inches tall and 8 to 12 years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children use booster seats until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. For more information on booster seat use, see the article “Booster Seat Use.”

The requirements for car booster seats vary by state but usually require that they be used with belts in cars equipped with lap/shoulder belts. Some states may have additional requirements for older boosters or those that do not resemble child safety seats closely. The best source of information about local laws is your local automobile dealer or the local government’s public safety department.

In general, booster seats are easy to install and remove. They need to be installed correctly the first time so there are no doubts about its position. Once installed, they cannot be moved to another location within the vehicle. However, once the belt fits properly, it does not matter where within the vehicle the booster seat is located.

Young children can be helped into and out of them easily. As they get taller, it becomes harder to put them on and take them off.

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Properly Restraining Your Child In A Forward

Once your child outgrows a rear-facing car seat, you can move your child into a forward-facing convertible car seat with a 5-point harness. Your child should remain in a forward-facing car seat until he or she reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. According to Georgia law, children under the age of 8 are required to be in a child safety seat or booster seat appropriate for their height and weight, and used according to the car seat manufacturers instructions. Georgia law also requires children under age 8 to ride in the backseat of a vehicle . Watch the easy-to-follow video, created by iRideSafe, to help you properly secure your child in a forward-facing convertible car seat with a 5-point harness.

Make sure to….

• Make sure that the harness straps are ALWAYS tight on your child. After you buckle your child in their car seat you should not be able to pinch any slack out of the webbing.
• When riding forward-facing the harness straps should be located at or ABOVE your childs shoulders.
• The retainer clip should line up with your childs armpits, never over their soft tummies.

The Middle Of The Back Seat Is Safest

If possible, children should sit in the back middle seat to help reduce the risk of direct impact from a collision. A study published in the journal Pediatrics showed that the center spot in the back seat is 43% safer than the side. If you have more than one child and one is rear-facing, the forward-facing child should be in the middle since they are less protected.

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How Much Should A Baby Weigh Before Forward Facing

While 1 year and 20 pounds used to be the standard for when to flip car seats around, most experts now recommend using rear-facing child seats until children are 2 years old and reach the top weight and height recommendations of the car seat manufacturer, which is typically around 30 pounds and 36 inches.

When Is Your Big Kid Big Enough

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that most kids are ready to switch from a booster seat to sitting directly on the back seat of your car and strapped in with the seatbelt somewhere between 8 and 12 years old, and if theyve reached the height requirement. You may not be able to grasp the idea of your tiny boss as a teen, but youll still be doing everything you can to protect them, even if theyre taller than you. So, its good to know that even when theyre big enough to ditch the booster seat, the AAP recommends that all kids younger than thirteen remain buckled up in the back seat.

To help you determine if your not-so-little passenger is ready to travel without a booster, we suggest you ask yourself these five questions:

• Can they keep their back against the vehicle seat without slouching?
• Can they keep their knees naturally bent over the edge of the vehicles seat?
• Can they keep their feet flat on the floor?
• Does the lap belt lie snugly across their upper thighs, low on hips, not the stomach?
• Does the shoulder belt lie snugly across the shoulder and chest, and not on their neck or face?

If you answer NO to any of these questions, then they need to remain in a booster seat in that vehicle.

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When Can Kids Sit In Front Seat Of Car Age & Safety Tips

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When can kid sit in front seat? Well, there are a few factors to consider. According to the CDC , car accidents account for the leading cause of death among children in the US. However, these deaths can be prevened precautions when parents take safety measures while traveling with children.

Seating children in the backseat of a car, all buckled up, is indeed a safe option. During road accident incidences, the pressure of an inflated airbag in the front seat could cause more harm to a child leading to more injuries and even death. Hence, the backseat is a safer option.

However, you could consider the transition from the back seat to the front seat after a certain age. The following post helps you understand the right age for the switch, risks involved, car safety regulations, and safety tips.

When Can My Baby Go Forward

Once your child has outgrown the larger rear-facing car seat and is at least 2 years old they can move to a forward-facing car seat with a 5-point harness. Keep your child in a 5-point harness until they weigh at least 18 kg and can sit straight and tall without moving out of position or unbuckling.

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What Is The Height And Weight Limit For A Forward

The maximum forward-facing harness weight ranges from 40 to 85 pounds or more. Check that the child’s weight and height are within the seat’s restrictions, and that their heads are at least one inch below the top of the car seat shell. For correct installation instructions, read both the instruction handbook and the safety belt/seat portion of your vehicle’s manual.

In addition to the maximum weight limit, also note the minimum age for use of this type of car seat. Some states require infants to be placed in car seats until they reach a certain height or weigh a certain amount. The federal government does not have any specific requirements for car seat use for children under 1 year old. However, all children under 4 feet 9 inches tall or who aren’t weighed enough to fit in a rear-facing infant car seat should always be secured in a rear-facing child restraint system.

Children between the ages of 1 and 4 years old can usually use a forward-facing car seat if it was installed properly by a trained technician. Make sure to follow the instructions in your car seat’s instruction booklet. They will help you install the car seat correctly and safely. Also, watch for warning labels on the back of the seat to make sure you don’t put anyone else at risk from being injured due to faulty equipment.

The best way to ensure your child’s safety is to use a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit, then upgrade to a forward-facing model.

Which Type Of Baby Car Seat Will Work Best For You

It all comes down to which types of features are most important. For some parents, they may be looking mainly at convenience and choose a model that has only two stages.

However, others may want something different than just rear-facing or front-facing mode so look into ones that have three functions including a high back booster and no back booster options as well.

No matter which model you end up choosing though, make sure to read over the fine print for its weight limits in each stage.

If you want something different than just rear-facing or front-facing mode, then look for one with three modes including a high back booster and no back booster options. They all claim they meet federal safety standards equally well so read carefully through their fine prints about what types of weights are allowed at each stage!

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