Recommendations regarding when to place your child in a forward-facing car seat depend on your child's age, weight and height. Pediatric and transportation safety officials encourage you to let your child ride facing the back at least until she exceeds the length and weight guidelines set by the car seat manufacturer. You can expect that to happen around age 2.
Infants to Toddlers
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that from the time you bring your baby home from the hospital until age 2, she should ride in a rear-facing car safety seat. The only exception is when your baby grows so fast that riding in this position is no longer safe, such as when she is too long or when the seat no longer comfortably supports her weight. In March 2011, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration issued a new set of guidelines, essentially following AAP, but giving parents a handy, age-based chart to know when to turn their car seats forward. The previous guidelines were based on the type of car seat rather than age. Although the AAP advises you wait until at least age 2, the NHTSA's new guidelines recognize that your child could outgrow the seat anywhere between ages 1 and 3.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
By the time your child turns 2, she should be ready to use a forward-facing car seat, advises the AAP, acknowledging the benefit of convertible and "3-in-1" type seats that change from rear to forward to booster seat as your child grows. If your child grows longer before reaching age 2 and his feet touch the backseat of your car, the academy suggests that you child can continue safely riding rear-facing with his legs bent. It says leg injuries to rear-facing children are rare. In addition, you should never place your car seat, whether rear- or forward-facing in the front seat of the car. A quickly inflating airbag can seriously injure your baby, and that injury could be fatal.
Recommendations and Laws
Note that the AAP and NHTSA recommendations are simply that. They are guidelines intended to help you keep your child safe. However, your state might have laws regarding when to turn your car seat forward. All 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands have laws requiring the use of child safety seats for infants and certain children, however, not every state specifies rear- or forward-facing rules. Alabama, for example, requires all children younger than age 1 or less than 20 lbs. be in rear-facing car seats and that children age 1 to 4, or children between 20 and 40 lbs. go in forward-facing seats. The Federal Aviation Administration also issues guidelines on the direction seats face when you fly with your baby. The agency recommends you use a forward-facing child restraint system when your baby weighs between 20 and 40 lbs.
Get Help
When placing your child's car seat in your vehicle, follow the manufacturer's directions about how to loop the seat belts to properly restrain the seat. If your car was made after 2002, it may also come with a special belt intended just for car seats. Getting car seats set just right can be tricky at first. Your local fire and police department can help train you on how to properly install your seat.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics; Car Safety Seats: Information for Families for 2011; May 19, 2011
- National Highway Transportation Safety Administration; NHTSA Releases New Child Seat Guidelines; March 21, 2011
- NHTSA: Car Seat Recommendations for Children
- Governors Highway Safety Association; Child Passenger Safety Laws; July 2011
- Federal Aviation Administration; Child Safety on Airplanes; April 5, 2011
