When Can I Plow My Babe Around to Face Forwards in the Motorcar?

Determining when a babe tin face forward in the car is an important milestone for parents. Co-ordinate to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should remain in rear-facing car seats until they have outgrown car seat acme and weight limits of the seat.1

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Understanding the guidelines for forepart-facing seats

While 1 year and 20 pounds used to be the standard for when to flip motorcar seats around, well-nigh experts now recommend using rear-facing child seats until children outgrow the summit weight and height recommendations of the car seat manufacturer. This ways your child may exist rear-facing until well beyond their second birthday.

At that place are some situations in which facing backward may seem uncomfortable for a kid—like long road trips where information technology seems like the piddling one's legs are cramped up confronting the back of the seat. You shouldn't let the baby face frontwards in the car only because they seem uncomfortable or don't like to be rear facing.

Tots are generally very flexible and even when they seem cramped up past adult standards, they can really be quite comfy.

Calculation a mirror that allows your child to come across themselves (and you) while you are driving tin can help convalesce stress and boredom. And taking breaks during long trips can requite your niggling once to stretch their legs.

Safely switching your child's seat

When information technology's time for a new motorcar seat, check out our machine seat buyers guide to ensure you lot pick the correct one for your child'southward needs.

Once you make the switch, be sure you properly install the car seat in the new position, tightening all anchors and straps—including the extra tether if available.

Yous should place the forrard-facing seat in the middle of the back seat. This will provide extra protection, as that is the safest spot in the vehicle.

When you're done, head to your local burn or police station. Often, at that place will be someone on duty trained to check the safety of car seat installation. You can also use the National Highway and Traffic Administration'due south car seat inspection site locator to find installation help in your expanse.

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Related articles on SafeWise

Sources

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics, "Car Seats: Information for Families," December 22, 2021. Accessed January 26, 2022.

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Alina Bradford

Written by

Alina Bradford

Alina has been reviewing the latest tech for more than a decade and has contributed her insights to CNET, CBS, Digital Trends, MTV, Top 10 Reviews, and many others. She specializes in smart home and security technology, working to brand gadgets less mystifying ane article at a fourth dimension. In the early on 2000s, Alina worked as a volunteer firefighter, earning her get-go responder certification. Her activities aren't most as dangerous today. Her hobbies include fixing upward her 100-year-old firm, doing artsy stuff, and going to the lake with her family unit.

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