When Can Baby Face Forward in Car Seat?

Over the years, parents really have taken on the responsibility of learning about best car seat practices to make their family safer on every drive. There is nothing that makes us at Safe in the Seat happier than hearing that safe car seat use is on the rise! One of the main missions of car seat safety experts like us is to keep kids rear-facing as long as possible. If you’ve spent any time researching car seat safety, you’re probably aware of this goal! 

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Keeping kids in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible is a smart and safe choice for every child. However, eventually, the time will come to flip that seat into the front-facing position—but, when? That’s what we’re going to discuss today! In order to safely rear-face, you have to know when times up, and moving into a front-facing seat is the right choice. 

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So, to make it easy for you, here’s how to determine when it’s time to move to a front-facing car seat or switch your car seat to the front-facing position:

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When Can Baby Face Forward in Car Seat?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, The American Academy of Pediatrics, and car seat experts everywhere agree you should keep a child rear-facing as long as possible to protect their head and neck in a crash. It’s important that kids are strong and developed enough to handle the aggressive movement you may experience in a crash before moving them into a front-facing car seat.

Babies and toddlers should be in a rear-facing car seat. However, how will you know when it’s time to graduate to a new seat or position? We’ll get into that below! Make sure you have the manual from your car seat manufacturer ready to make your final decision. 

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What Is A Forward-Facing Car Seat?

A forward-facing car seat is designed for older children who have outgrown rear-facing car seats, but still need the support of a five-point harness. These seats have a harness and tether system that limits the child's forward movement during a crash, providing protection for their head, neck, and spine even in the front-facing position!

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When To Transition To Forward-Facing Car Seat

Your child has reached the max height limit. 

One indication that your child needs to move into front-facing mode is their height! Check your car seat manual to figure out the max height on your seat for the rear-facing mode. Once your child reaches that height, it’s time to move! (Remember, we’re looking at the MAX height, not the minimum.) Usually, the max height limit is going to be somewhere between 37 and 50 inches, depending on which car seat you have. 

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OR

Your child has reached the max weight limit. 

Your car seat manual will note both height and weight limits. If your child hits either one, it’s time to switch to a front-facing seat. To be clear, your child doesn’t need to reach both limits. If your child matches any of these criteria, you need to graduate out of that rear-facing seat. Usually, the max weight limit is somewhere between 40 and 55 lbs.  

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OR

Your child has reached the head height limit of their seat. 

It’s not all about height and weight. Proportions play a big role in car seat fit as well! Your child may be below the overall height maximum, but STILL be too tall for their rear-facing car seat if their head is too close to the top of the car seat. For most car seats in the U.S. and Canada, a child with less than one inch of clearance between the top of their head and the car seat means it’s time to move to the front-facing mode! But there are some exceptions, so be sure to check your manual!

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OR

There are no car seats on the market that suit your child’s measurements. 

Not all child car seats have the same height and weight maximums. That means, if your child reaches the limitations on your seat, you may be able to move to another convertible car seat with more room for your child to grow. (You can find extended rear-facing capable car seats on our SITS car seat finder!) That being said, if your child is over 50 lbs or over 49 inches tall, you won’t find a car seat that allows your child to rear-face. When that time comes, it’s okay to turn the child around. 

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How To Transition to Forward-Facing Car Seat

Step 1: Determine whether you need to adjust the vehicle’s headrests. 

Headrests can cause issues for car seat fit! Some headrests are fixed and even angle forward, which can push the car seat forward and put it in a position that is not allowed by the car seat manufacturer. If this is the case, you’ll need to adjust them or remove them. If you can’t, you’ll need to move it to a different spot in your car or consider a different car seat. 

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Step 2: Check the car seat’s angle and correct it if necessary. 

Some forward-facing car seats have an indicator that shows whether or not the car seat is at the right angle. Make sure to adjust your car seat properly if this is the case.

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Step 3: Install the seat using the seatbelt and the top tether. 

Now it’s time to install the car seat! Use the belt path for installation, not LATCH, because if your child has reached the rear-facing car seat limitations, they’ve probably reached the limits for the lower anchor system as well. Once the car seat is buckled in using the car seat, make sure the seat belt is tight and locked.

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Unlike with the rear-facing car seat mode, you need more than the seat belt or LATCH system to keep the car seat secured. A front-facing car seat needs to be attached using the top tether. It prevents the car seat from vaulting or dumping forward in a crash! Check your vehicle’s manual to determine where the tether anchors are located to attach the car seat and keep it secured. (If that specific vehicle seat does not have a tether anchor, you’ll need to move your child and their seat to a different location.) 

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Still worried about installation? Book a car seat consultation and one of our CPSTs will help ensure you get the safest installation and have peace of mind! 

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Step 4: Fit the harness straps to your child. 

Once your seat is installed correctly in your vehicle, fit the seat to your child! Have them sit in the car seat while you adjust the strap placement. When a child is front-facing, the straps should be at or just above the shoulders. The crotch buckle should be in the slot closest to the child without being underneath them.

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Step 5: Properly clean and store your old car seat. 

If you uninstalled and removed a rear-facing seat (rather than switching the positioning), take this opportunity to safely clean your old car seat and properly store your old car seat to preserve it for the next child!

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Make sure you move your child to a front-facing car seat at the right time! 

Though rear-facing is best, we can’t keep our kids rear-facing forever. There is a time to move on up! Follow these guidelines and ensure you’re keeping track of the car seat’s fit and your child’s measurements, so you don’t miss when it’s time to move up. Remember, if you need help choosing a car seat, answering questions on car seat safety, or installing your car seat with confidence, you can find what you need on the Safe in the Seat website! 

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