As parents, we want to do everything we can to keep our children safe. And one of the best ways to do that is by using a car seat that’s appropriate for their age and size. Unfortunately, not all car seats are created equal. In fact, many of them aren’t even designed for use in the front of the car. When can we use a front facing car seat? That depends on your child’s age, weight and height, as well as the car seat you’re using. But, generally speaking, it’s a good idea to use a car seat in the rear of the car until your child reaches a weight and height that makes using a rear-facing car seat appropriate.
Front Facing Car Seat Laws by State
Front facing car seats are designed to be used in the rear-facing position for infants up to 18 months old and in the forward-facing position for children from 18 to 45 months old. In some states, front facing car seats may also be used for children 4 years or younger if they are shorter than 42 inches tall and their weight is evenly distributed between their legs and upper body.
Some types of restraints that can be used with a front facing car seat include lap belts, shoulder harnesses, and vehicle seat belt systems. It is important to check your state’s laws regarding the use of these restraints before using them with your child. In most cases, using a restraint system will help keep your child safe in the event of a collision.
It is also important to remember that front facing car seats are not appropriate for all children. If you are unsure whether or not your child is ready to use a front facing car seat, consult with your pediatrician or other health care provider.
When is a Front Facing Car Seat Necessary?
When a car seat is facing the front of the car, it offers more protection for your child in the event of a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that your child be placed in a car seat that is facing the front of the car from as early as age 1 year old onwards. If you’re using a rear-facing car seat, make sure to switch it to a forward-facing position at least every two years, even if your child doesn’t show any signs of growing out of their seat.
The Pros and Cons of Front Facing Car Seats
Many parents think that the front facing car seat is the best option for their child, but are they right? The pros and cons of front facing car seats have been debated by parents for years. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of using a front facing car seat:
Benefits of Front Facing Car Seats
1. The first benefit of using a front facing car seat is that it protects your child’s head in a crash. Studies have shown that children who use frontal-facing seats are less likely to suffer serious injuries in a crash than those who use rear-facing seats.
2. Another benefit of using a frontal-facing car seat is that it helps prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). A 2006 study by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control showed that infants who were placed in a forward-facing car seat were almost three times less likely to die from SIDS than those who were placed in a rear-facing car seat.
3. Front-facing car seats also protect your child’s spine in a crash. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, infants who ride in an appropriate forward-facing car seat have a lower risk of spinal cord injury in a crash than those who ride in appropriate rear-facing positions.
4. Finally, many people believe that children learn better when they see and interact with other people while they’re driving. Putting your child in a front facing car seat allows them to participate
How to Convert a Rearfacing Car Seat into a Front Facing Car Seat
When converting a rearfacing car seat into a front-facing car seat, it is important to pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.
Below are some general tips for conversion:
1. Check the car’s documentation to see if a visor or roof rail is needed for installation of the front-facing car seat. These components may be included as an extra cost or may need to be modified for installation of the new car seat. If neither of these are an issue, then the use of a low profile base can also reduce the risk of interference with airbag deployment in case of an accident.
2. Make sure that all LATCH connectors and tether anchors are in place on both seats before beginning installation. The child should sit facing forward in their rear-facing car seat during conversion, and then have their head positioned at least 5 inches below the top edge of any rear-facing convertible restraint system while using straps to secure them in place (headrests should not be used).
3. When installing front-facing restraints, it is important to make sure that shoulder belts fit snugly around both torso and upper arms, as well as across the chestnut area on boys (girls may not require this portion of the belt to fit tightly). All buckles should also be tightened securely while ensuring that there is no excess slack remaining both before and after adjustment. Finally, infants who are
Conclusion
The best time to use a Front Facing car seat is when your child is between the weight limits of the car seat and their own weight. Many parents choose to wait until their child reaches the weight limit of their car seat, but this isn’t always safe or practical. If your child exceeds the weight limit by 10% or more, they may not be able to safely ride in a Front Facing car seat.