Does anyone live in Ontario, Canada? What age can a babies car seat go forward facing?

Question

My 7 1/2 month old son had a Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 convertible car seat and right now he is rear-facing, but he's sitting, crawling, standing and walking holding onto things. On the car seat it says he can go forward facing when he's sitting and crawling....but whats the law???

Answer 1

The absolute minimum is 1 year AND at least 20 pounds. It is far far SAFER however, for a child to remain rear facing until the height/weight limit stated in the instruction book.

A baby's spinal cord is not stretchy, but their spine is extremely flexible and their heads are huge in comparison to the rest of their bodies. They can sustain bad injuries from even slamming on the breaks.

There is no reason to risk your child's safety by turning them too soon. My son hated the car seat until we bought him a car mirror. He is almost 2 y.o. and i just turned him forward facing this week, as the straps could not be positioned safely anymore in our ComfortSport carseat..

Answer 2

It doesn't matter what your son developmentally has accomplished although congrats on what he can do. The laws for the United States and Canada are a same,(I travel to Canada on vacation once a year so I had to check all of this out when my son was just a lil man), a child must be 1 year old and 20lbs the reason for this law is because although your son may have accomplished alot in his 7 1/2 months, his neck muscles aren't strong enough in the event of an accident to withstand the stress a forward facing car seat would impose. Keep him rear facing until he is 1 because not only are you obeying the law but you are keeping him safe in case of an accident.

Answer 3

i think in canada the law for babies facing forward is 1 years old and older.depending on where the baby is sitting in the car as well. the baby should b place in the backseat for safety reasons. if u get into the car accident at least it wudnt b a direct hit on the child.

i hope this helps u.

Answer 4

I'm not sure about the law.

But i live in Ontario.

It has to do with weight and height. Not what the child is capable of doing. It has to also do with their bones.
My son was facing forward at about 13 mts. Whats the rush anyways. They are much safer facing backwards in a car accident.

Answer 5

I don't know the law in Canada, but in the US it is 12 months old AND 20 pounds....you have to be both.

The reason is this......your child's spine is not stable...if you get hit from behind or the side, he could snap his neck or injure his spine.

The law says 20 pounds AND one year, but the American Association for Pediatrics and the National Highway Safety Association recommend doing it that long and longer if the child can safely fit (length).

What is the rush?

Answer 6

I am in Ontario Canada. It's 1 year AND 20lbs. My son was over 20lbs, I just had to wait until he was a year. Soon as he was, I turned it out. I think I have the same car seat as you too.

Answer 7

i don't know the law but the rule of thumb is 1 year old because their neck muscles are not strong yet. but some kids are built bigger and stronger than others. at 7 1/2 months it seems safer to have them face forward so you can better keep an eye on them.

Answer 8

You have to wait until he is 1 year old unless the doctor says other wise and if so you have to get a note from the doctor so if you get pulled over won't have any problems Knock on wood. I know how hard it is they are so ready to be flipped around yet the law holds you back.

Answer 9

GO TO THE WEBSITE WWW.MOMSANDDADS THEY WILL HAVE THE ANSWERS FOR YOU THERE. SINCE JANURARY 1 2007 THERES NEW LAWS IN EVERY PROVINCE DUE TO CAR SEATS.

Answer 10

Try this link. It's from Ontario's Ministry of Transportation.

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/carseat/choose.htm

Hope this helps. =)