When should a baby start facing forward in a car seat?

Answer 1

most states and car seats now say 20 lbs and 12 months old as a minimum - there are also recommendations that say to leave them rear facing longer if you can because it is safer

Answer 2

We are still learning about what is best and safest for our babies. The MOST RECENT studies have taught us that rear facing is the safest because the reclined position that it allows is better for an infant in a crash. The current recommendation by individuals and organizations who research this type of thing is that you keep your baby in a rear facing child seat as long as possible. There are child seats out there that are meant to accomodate older babies in the rear facing position; some of them even go up to 35 lbs while rear facing. I'm not saying it's the perfect answer, but it's the best choice with everything we have learned so far about infant safety in vehicles: keep your baby rear facing as long as possible. At some point it is just not possible (for me it was when my daughter was about 19 months old, she just would NOT fit into our rear facing seat anymore because of her height), but I have met too many parents who act like it's some sort of accomplishment to switch your baby to a front facing car seat at a young age. I don't get why you would be proud of that...wouldn't you be happiest to keep your child safe? An infant's bones and muscles aren't strong enough to withstand a crash in the forward facing position. Just because a baby is 25 pounds DOES NOT mean that he or she can be rear facing...it could be deadly to turn them around based solely on their size. It had to do with muscles and bone growth and strength, and those things are different with every baby. So why take a risk with yours? I would say please, please wait until at least a year or preferably longer, unless it's just not possible in any way to fit them into a rear facing seat.

Answer 3

The law states that a child must be at least 1 year of age and 20 pounds before facing forward. Your doctor can advise you on any differences to this law. I have 4 children. My oldest 3 were all good sized children and their physician had them facing forward before they were 1 because they were well over 20 pounds and were very uncomfortable. The law says one thing, but your physician may have some different advice.

Answer 4

I was told 12 months, or until your child can no longer sit comfortably facing backwards. Like if legs are too long. It is the safest way for your baby to be if in a car accident. It's hard because I can't really see my baby and I think he would love to face forward and be able to see me while I drive. But I know it's for the best.

Answer 5

You can move your baby to forward facing at 12 months, but always keep them in a back seat. My son is 8 and I still don't let him sit up front. Much safer in the back.

Answer 6

The guideline in VA is 12 months AND 25 lbs. Well, my daughter is 17 months and 19lbs but she is still too long for to be rear facing now. Check your state laws and it is also written on the front facing car seats.

Answer 7

one year and 20 months. Both need to be reached. Even if you have a 10 month old who is 22 pounds, they should not face forward yet.

Answer 8

The law (depending on where you live) is the child has to be at least 12 months old and at least 22 lbs.

Answer 9

by utilizing regulation, somewhat one could be both one 12 months previous and 20 pounds to commence dealing with ahead of their automobile seat. besides the undeniable fact that, modern-day safe practices study teach that the rear dealing with position is major safer than the front dealing with in a great number of varieties of automobile injuries. even as the regulation states 20 pounds and a million 12 months previous, the advice is to save toddler rear dealing with see you later as accessible for decreased probability of extreme harm in a automobile twist of destiny.

Answer 10

1 year AND 20 lbs is highly recommended. This stands true for most all states I am pretty sure. Better safe than sorry.