2007-03-10 10:50:03 · 12 answers · asked by llenahS 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
At least 12 months and at least twenty pounds.
It's perfectly safe to keep them rear facing longer than that if your car seat is rated to bear a higher weight than twenty pounds.
You face the seat toward the rear to protect the brain in case of an accident. Until that time (12 months) the muscles are not usually adequately developed enough to prevent severe whiplash and/or concussion/brain damage in case of an accident.
As for the twenty pounds, I'm not sure why that is.
Here's a link below that explains it better
2007-03-10 11:38:34 · answer #1 · answered by katheek77 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Babies can face forwards from 9kg in a forward facing seat, although they are safest rear facing for as long as possible. You just need to make sure that their head is not over the top of the seat(it doesn't matter if their legs seem too long for the seat) and that they are not over the weight limit(usually up to 13kg).
Always make sure your seat is fitted properly and that the should straps are level with your childs shoulders or slightly below, never high above and also that you can only fit two fingers underneath as your child could slip out in the case of a crash.
Hope this was helpful.
2007-03-10 10:56:15 · answer #2 · answered by mellokitty 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Convertible safety seats may be turned around to face the front when the baby is over 1 year old AND at least 20 pounds (C). It is recommended that a child ride rear-facing as long as she/he fits. Follow the seat manufacturer's instructions.
2007-03-10 10:53:40 · answer #3 · answered by ~*common sense*~ 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
At 1 year old AND atleast 20 pounds. My son is 11 months and 22 pounds, has been big enough for a foward facing seat but you have to wait .
2007-03-10 16:41:54 · answer #4 · answered by aprilmommy06 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is a great question because I have a 4mth old son and I was wondering the same thing. I would love to turn him around now because it makes it hard when I am driving and I can't see him. Especially when he starts to cry...
I was always curious to why the seat had to be faced the opposite side.
2007-03-10 10:59:30 · answer #5 · answered by Vicky 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They have to be over a year and 20 lbs.
Here is a good link.
I also depends on where you live
Ps
if you have an issue with not being able to see the child, there are mirrors that you can put in front of the baby so you can see him in your review mirror
2007-03-10 11:11:05 · answer #6 · answered by Brittney U 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The longer the better. A toddler's head is still very dissproportionate to his body and neck and even a sudden stop can cause whiplash.
2007-03-10 17:00:05 · answer #7 · answered by Terrible Threes 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When they are over a year old, and they have to be over 22 pounds, in Canada anyways.
2007-03-10 10:52:27 · answer #8 · answered by Stuck in the middle of nowhere 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One year.
2007-03-11 15:44:07 · answer #9 · answered by toomanycommercials 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At a year old and 20 lbs. They have to be both.
2007-03-10 10:58:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋