When you’re out shopping for a car seat, it can be hard to know when one is actually appropriate for your child. And if you’re like most parents, you want something that will protect them in the event of an accident, but also keep them comfortable during their entire ride. But how do you know when a car seat can be forward facing? And is it really worth the extra money? In this blog post, we will answer these questions and more. We will also provide tips on how to choose the right car seat for your family, based on their size, weight, and age.
Car Seat Rear Facing Laws By State
Some states have stricter laws when it comes to car seat rear-facing versus forward-facing. Here’s a look at what each state requires:
Arkansas: All children must be rear-facing in a car seat until they reach theheight of 35 inches, and then only if they ride in the backseat.
California: Children must be rear-facing up to age 2, and aged 2-3 can be forward-facing as long as they are restrained in an appropriate child restraint. From 4 years old on, all children should use a car seat that is properly fitted and secured.
Florida: Children must be properly restrained in a rear-facing carseat until they reach the weight or height limit for their seat, which is typically about 50 pounds for infants and 100 pounds for toddlers. After that point, they can switch to a forward-facing car seat if it’s appropriate for their age and size.
Georgia: Children must be restrained according to their height and weight inside of a rear-facing car seat until they outgrow the harnesses or reach 4 feet 9 inches (1.5 meters) tall or 39 inches (100cm) tall. Forward facing is not allowed until kids outgrow their harnesses.
Hawaii: Rearward facing is recommended up to 40 pounds (18 kilograms) or 18 months old whichever comes first; after that time front facing should begin unless there are special reasons why the child should remain rear facing such
How to adjust a car seat for forward facing
Forward facing car seats should be used from birth until a child reaches the maximum weight and height for their seat. Older children may still need a rear-facing car seat until they reach the weight andheight limits of their seat, depending on their body size and riding habits.
Some parents find it helpful to adjust the car seat to fit their child more comfortably by adjusting harness angles, headrest height, or shoulder belt placement. There are five adjustments: front-to-back (or backward), side-to-side, forward/backward tilt, angle of the headrest and angle of the harness.
To adjust a car seat for forward facing:
1) Locate the adjustment points on the car seat base or chassis.
2) Loosen or tighten each adjustment bolt or screw in turn until you find an adjustment that best fits your child’s body type and seating position. Make sure all bolts/screws are tightly secured before moving to the next step.
3) If moving the car seat from rear facing to forward facing is required, remove both lower anchors from within the vehicle.
4) Move the car seat into position against your vehicle’s passenger door panel with the crotch strap centered over your child’s upper legs and looped behind his/her back. Make sure to secure any excess strap around your vehicle’s door handle or wheel well with a second clip if necessary. Reattach lower anchors if moved from rear facing to
When rear facing is no longer safe
If you are no longer comfortable or safe rear facing, your car seat should be forward facing. Forwardfacing until age two is the government recommended limit, but many parents continue to use car seats for older children even after they reach this age because they believe it’s safer. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “the risks of death from injuries in frontal and side impact crashes for children aged 2 through 5 years who remain rear-facing until age 3 are about twice as high as for those who switch to a forward-facing child restraint.” Rear-facing Until Age Three: The Risks Are About Twice As High
There are a few reasons why rear-facing Until Age Three may increase your risk of injury in a crash. First, rear-facing seats don’t protect your child as well in a frontal or side impact crash. Second, the weight of a younger child pressing against your spine can cause spinal cord compression, which can lead to paralysis or death. Finally, infants and young toddlers often move around too much in their seats and their heads and necks are still growing quickly, increasing the risk of head injuries in a collision.
If you have decided that you no longer feel safe rear facing your child, it is important to talk with your pediatrician about whether forward facing is an option for them. There are many great options available for forward facing car seats including convertible seats that can grow with your child and
Conclusion
When can a car seat be forward-facing? This is a question that parents often ask, and it’s one that can be difficult to answer. Manufacturers are not required by law to make car seats available in both rear- and forward-facing positions, so it may take some research on your part to find the perfect seat for your family. However, most car seats should be able to be switched between these two positions. In general, car seats should only ever be used rear-facing until your child reaches the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. After that point, they may switch to using the forward-facing position if they are still meeting all of the safety guidelines set forth by the manufacturer.