Infants and toddlers are naturally curious creatures who love to explore their world. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to them getting into harmful situations. One of the most common dangers infants and toddlers face is getting trapped in car seats that are facing backwards. When can you put the car seat forward facing? The answer may surprise you!
When to put the car seat forward facing
When to put the car seat forward facing
Some babies are born with an anterior head position, which means their heads are positioned anteriorly, or frontwards. If this is the case with your baby, then it’s important to always put their car seat forward facing until they reach at least one year old. This way, they’ll be more likely to stay safe in a crash.
If you’re not sure if your baby has an anterior head position, you can check by leaning them over so that their head is hanging off of one knee and see if their forehead rests on the other knee. If it does, then your baby probably has an anterior head position and should always be placed in the car seat forward facing mode.
Another reason to place a baby in the car seat forward facing mode is because it helps keep them comfortable during long trips. By holding them closer to your body, they won’t be as uncomfortable as if they were facing backwards or sideways.
What to do if your baby can’t sit up yet
If your baby can’t yet sit up by himself or herself, you may need to place them in a rear-facing car seat until they are able to do so. This is typically around 18 to 24 months of age. Once your baby can sit up unassisted, you may want to switch them to a forward-facing car seat.
When to start using the car seat backwards
When to start using the car seat backwards
There is no definitive answer when it comes to when you should start using the car seat backwards, as it largely depends on your child’s age and size. However, we recommend starting this habit from around 12 months old onwards, as this is when their head and shoulder muscles will have developed sufficiently to support them in a rear-facing position. If your child is over 18 months old, we would usually advise switching them to a forward-facing car seat anyway.
What to do if your baby starts to cry when you try to put them in their car seat backwards
If your baby starts to cry when you try to put them in their car seat backwards, it may be because they’re not used to being restrained in this way. Try reversing the process and putting them in their car seat facing forwards first. If that doesn’t work, try using a harness instead of a strap.
Conclusion
For many parents, the decision of when to put their child in a car seat can be a harrowing one. There are so many factors to consider: their age, weight, height, and whether or not they are breast-feeding. But as with most things in life, there is no wrong answer – as long as you do your research first and follow safety guidelines. The safest time to place your baby in a car seat is rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight and height allowed by their manufacturer. After that point, they should be transitioned to a forward-facing seat for maximum protection while traveling in a vehicle.