When can I start using a front facing car seat for my baby?

A car seat is an essential buy for your baby’s safe travel. Two major types of car seats are available in the market—rear-facing and front-facing. It can become quite overwhelming when you decide to choose the right car seat from a plethora of options in the market. Although the right age for a front-facing car seat is debatable, children below the age of 2 years or 20 pounds are safer in rear-facing car seats.

Before switching from the rear-facing car sear to the front-facing one, ensure that your kid is ready for the switch. Every parent wants the best for their child and wants to make informed and prudent decisions when it involves the safety of the child. You should consider the following points before moving your child to a front-facing car seat:

1. Right time: Wait for your kid to outgrow the current car seat, i.e., replace the car seat once he/she reaches the maximum weight and height limit. Each car seat is designed carefully to provide maximum safety to the child of a specific height, weight, and age. Read the safety label of the car seat before you start using it.

2. Dangling legs: In a front-facing car seat, the legs of the kid are dangling in the air. To be comfortable, they try to rest their foot on the back of the front seats; this can be annoying for the driving parent. Ensure your child is tall enough to comfortably place his or her legs at the leg-rest or car seat.

3. 5-point harness: Before buying a forward-facing car seat, check all the safety features, especially the 5-point harness and top tether. They will snuggle your child and keep them safe in case of any mishap.

There are various safety features of forward-facing car seats, like a 5-point harness, deep head wings, and energy-absorbing forms, which are making the young parents choose it over the extended rear-facing car seats. You child will soon sit independently in the car seat. The front-facing car seat prepares your child for it.

The primary function of a car seat is to keep the baby safe. Follow the simple rule “try before you buy.” Check the car seat for perfect fit in your car and for its comfort. Also check that the car seat does not occupy too much space in the car.