You want your child to be happy, comfortable and safe when you travel in the car. We explain everything you need to know about the rear-facing car seat law and forward-facing car seat law so you’ll get it right. Forward-facing car seat age Many parents want to know the right age for a forward-facing car seat, but this is not as straightforward as it may seem.
- Legally, your child can travel in an ECE R44/04 approved car seat facing forward once they are 9 kg, which is approximately age nine months.
- But don’t be tempted to rush into making the switch.
- There are lots of good reasons why many parents choose to increase the age before facing their baby forward in a car seat.
Why is rearward-facing travel safest for babies and young children? Children travelling forward-facing can be thrown forwards in a head-on collision. That puts stress on the fragile head and neck, which can lead to serious injury. If your child is travelling rear-facing, the car seat spreads the forces across the whole back, protecting the delicate head and neck.
- As 70% of accidents are frontal collisions, it’s safest for children to travel rearward-facing until their muscles and bones have properly developed.
- What is the i -Size rear-facing car seat law? i -Size car seats meet the highest level safety standards.
- If you have chosen an i -Size car seat, your child must travel facing the rear until they are 15 months old by law.
Find out more about i -Size car seats here or browse our collection, For how long should my child travel rear-facing? i -Size guidelines state children should continue travelling rear-facing until at least 15 months old. However, many experts advise longer than this.
- You’ll see a considerable change in your baby’s development every month as they grow stronger.
- The longer you can continue to strap your child into their seat rear-facing, the better.
- Some experts even recommend waiting until they are four years old before switching to forward-facing travel.
- Luckily, car seat manufacturers like Maxi-Cosi have made it possible for parents to make this choice.
You can opt for an i -Size car seat that allows rearward-facing travel until your child is 105 cm tall, or around four years old, when muscles and bones will have developed further. Choosing the right car seat for you At Maxi-Cosi, we have a reputation for helping new parents with our trusted, innovative designs.
When should my child switch to a forward-facing car seat?
Convertible forward-facing seat – When your child can no longer fit in a convertible rear-facing seat, it is time to switch to a convertible forward-facing seat. But when does this happen? It depends mostly on weight and height, but children will usually switch to a forward-facing seat when they’re around three to four years old.
- The nice thing about convertible forward-facing seats is that they can be used with a five-point harness or a seatbelt, when your child has reached booster seat age.
- With the five-point harness system, you can use convertible forward-facing seats for children between 40 and 90 pounds.
- With a seatbelt, you can use them as a booster seat for children between 80 and 120 pounds.
Forward-facing seats come with an adjustable back, and you can use the top tether for extra security. Experts recommend that tethers be used as long as possible since they help keep your child’s head from moving too far forward in a car accident. Tethers are straps that hold the car seat tightly in place.
Can you convert a rear facing car seat to forward facing?
Convertible rear-facing seat – A convertible rear-facing seat can be used in both rear- and forward-facing positions. It is typically purchased when your child is about one year old. According to experts, there are several reasons why this is the right time to switch from an infant seat to a convertible one.
Infant car seats typically have a weight limit of 22 pounds and a height limit of 30 inches. A convertible rear-facing seat can be used in both rear- and forward-facing positions. It is typically purchased when your child is about one year old. Many children will exceed either or both of these by the age of one.
Yet, according to the Academy of American Pediatrics, children should stay in rear-facing car seats as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat. The solution is a convertible rear-facing seat. These car seats, which are used with a five-point restraint harness, can convert from rear to forward facing.
Can a 13 year old sit forward facing in a car?
Never Allow a Child to Sit Up Front – Until age 13, all children should sit in the proper car seat in the back seat, even if they are forward-facing or in a booster seat, Because passenger seat airbags were designed for adults, they pose a great risk to small children. The amount of force from a deploying airbag (around 200 miles per hour) can cause significant injuries to the head and neck.
When is the right time to switch to a convertible car seat?
Convertible rear-facing seat – A convertible rear-facing seat can be used in both rear- and forward-facing positions. It is typically purchased when your child is about one year old. According to experts, there are several reasons why this is the right time to switch from an infant seat to a convertible one.
Infant car seats typically have a weight limit of 22 pounds and a height limit of 30 inches. A convertible rear-facing seat can be used in both rear- and forward-facing positions. It is typically purchased when your child is about one year old. Many children will exceed either or both of these by the age of one.
Yet, according to the Academy of American Pediatrics, children should stay in rear-facing car seats as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat. The solution is a convertible rear-facing seat. These car seats, which are used with a five-point restraint harness, can convert from rear to forward facing.
