When your baby is born, you snap them into the car seat like a pro. But what about when they outgrow the carseat? When do they switch to a front facing seat? The answer, unfortunately, depends on your child’s size and weight at that point in their life. If your baby is under 2 years old and between 22-44 pounds, then they should be using a rear-facing carseat until they can no longer fit in a front-facing one. If your baby is over 2 years old and between 22-44 pounds, then they should use a forward-facing car seat until either they are 4 or their height reaches 44 inches. There are other factors to consider as well, but these are the basics. Now that you know when to switch your baby to a front facing car seat, make sure you do it properly! Rear-facing seats aren’t safe for infants at any age and lead to more fatalities than forward facing seats.
When Should Baby Switch To A Front Facing Car Seat?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends babies switch to a front-facing car seat as soon as they can sit up and weigh at least 20 pounds. The AAP also recommends that infants use a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 1 year old and weigh 30 pounds or more.
What To Look For In A Front Facing Car Seat
When shopping for a car seat, there are a few things to keep in mind. The type of car you have, the size of your child, and how long they will be riding in the car.
Here are some things to look for when choosing a front facing car seat:
The weight limit for the seat should be higher than the weight of your child. If your child is too heavy, the harness may not fit properly and could cause injury.
The height of the base should be at or below the height of your vehicle’s rear seats. A high base allows for more stability during accidents.
The shoulder belt placement should accommodate a wide variety of body types. Some cars have only one shoulder belt location while others have two. The lap belt should connect through the middle of the child’s waist and pull tight to prevent them from moving around in their seat during an accident.
In order to install a front facing car seat, make sure that your vehicle has a rear-facing convertible option first!
How To Install A Front Facing Car Seat In a Baby’s car
There are many factors to consider when installing a car seat in a car, including the age and size of your baby. But regardless of your child’s age or size, you should always install the car seat in the safest position possible.
For newborns and very small babies, it’s important to install them in a rear-facing car seat until they reach 5 pounds or 12 inches tall. Once your baby reaches these weight or height milestones, you can switch them to a front-facing car seat.
To install a front-facing car seat in a baby’s car:
1. Open the door of the car and get into the driver’s seat.
2. Locate the gear shift lever and press it down while turning it to the “park” position.
3. Pull out one of the seats and place your baby on his or her back in the center of the seat away from any airbags. Never put a newborn in front of an airbag!
4. Fasten your child’s safety belt snugly around his or her torso and stomach. You may also need to adjust the shoulder straps according to your child’s size and weight.
5. Close the door of the passenger side seat, pressing down on it so that it locks into place.
How Often To Re-position a Baby in a Front Facing Car Seat
If your baby is already 6 months old or older and in a rear-facing car seat, it’s time to start thinking about moving him or her to a front-facing car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies ride in front-facing seats until they are 2 years old or until their height reaches 32 inches, which is about the average height for 4-year-olds. Here’s how you can move your baby to a front-facing car seat:
1. Make sure the car seat is properly installed in the vehicle.
2. Check your vehicle’s safety belt system. If it doesn’t have a lower anchor strap, use one from the safety kit that comes with your car seat.
3. Place the child in the carrier and check to see if his or her head and shoulders are above the shoulder line of the harnesses on both sides of the vehicle. If not, adjust them so they are.
4. tighten all straps firmly; do not over tighten
5. Put the child in the backseat facing away from you, if possible (if there is no backseat), so he or she will be more comfortable on longer trips
6. Close any windows that might obstruct Baby’s view out of the window
What If My Baby is Uncomfortable in a Front Facing Car Seat?
If you’re pregnant and your baby is uncomfortable in a rear-facing car seat, you may be wondering when is the best time to switch them to a front-facing car seat. Here’s what you need to know:
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies ride rear-facing as long as possible, unless they are at or above the weight limit for their car seat, or have significant medical issues that would make it unsafe to keep them rear-facing. The AAP has also stated that switching a baby to a front-facing car seat should only be done if he or she is significantly taller than the age guideline for their car seat, and there is room in the vehicle for the car seat and an appropriate child restraint.
If your baby was rear-faced in a previous car seat and now seems uncomfortable or unhappy in a front facing one, don’t panic. Most babies will start to move around more and become more active once they hit toddlers age. If this is happening with your baby, try giving him some toys or books to play with while strapped into his carseat instead of relying solely on electronic devices like cellphones and tablets. You can also try moving him up closer to you so that he can see your face more easily.
Conclusion
As soon as your baby can sit up and support their head, it is time to switch them over to a front-facing car seat. This isn’t always easy, but it’s important that you do it as soon as possible in order to reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of an accident. Make sure you read our guide on when your baby can start using a car seat before making a decision, and be sure to take into account their height and weight when choosing the best option for them.