When Should Your Child Switch to a Forward-Facing Car Seat? (2024)

Many parents aren't sure when it's safe to switch their child's rear-facing car seat to the forward-facing position.Expert organizations used to say it was fine to turn your child's car seat around when she turned 2. But the recommendations have changed in recent years.

Now,theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that the vast majority of children stay rear-facing as long as possible, even after turning 2, and parents shouldn’t make the switch based on age. The biggest reason? Rear-facing car seats are better at protecting the head, neck and spine in the event of a crash.

Here’s why it’s worth holding off on turning your child's car seat around and how to tell when she’s ready to face forward.

When should you turn your child's car seat around?

Rear-facing vs. forward-facing car seats: What's the difference?

First, some background on rear-facing and forward-facing seats. Infants should always be in rear-facing car seats, and there are two types that are safe for the youngest children.

Many parents prefer to start with arear-facing infant car seat because they’re lightweight, portable and convenient. Rear-facing infant seats come with a base plus a seat that clicks into place, so you can quickly take the seat in and out. Infant car seats also have handles that make them easy to carry when your baby is inside.

The downside? Your baby will outgrow an infant car seat well before she’s ready to face forward. Most rear-facing infant seats have an upper weight limit between 28 and 35 pounds and an upper height limit of 30 to 35 inches, depending on the model. Once your baby reaches the maximum height or weight, whichever comes first, you’ll need to upgrade: The next step is aconvertible car seat that can start off being used in a rear-facing position and eventually face forward when your child is (much) bigger.

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Convertible seats tend to be heavy and bulky and are designed to stay put in your car. The fact that you can’t easily tote them around is why many parents opt to start with a more convenient rear-facing infant seat.

Still, convertible seats are safe and acceptable for infants, notes the AAP. And they can be a good option for families who'd prefer not to have to eventually buy a second car seat: Convertible seats can often be used rear-facing until a child is between 40 and 50 pounds, and then can face forward until a child is 65 pounds or more.

When can a child face forward in a car seat?

You should keep your child in the rear-facing position for as long as possible. But instead of using age as a guideline, keep the following in mind:

When they reach either the weight or height limit.Your child should stay rear-facing until she has hit the maximum height or weight for that position, says the AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).Most rear-facing infant seats can accommodate children until they reach 28 to 35 pounds or 30 to 35 inches, but keep in mind that many children will reach the maximum height before they do the maximum weight. Once a child outgrows a rear-facing infant seat, she can switch to a convertible seat in a rear-facing position, which can often be used until a child is between 40 and 50 pounds. (The specific weight will depend on your car seat model.) You can find your seat’s height and weight limits on the tag or in the manufacturer instructions.
Not before age 2.Years ago, age 2 was considered the standard time to switch to the forward-facing position. Now, it’s considered the absolute minimum, because most 2-year-olds won’t be adequately protected from a crash in a forward-facing seat. Rather than basing your switch on the calendar, do so only when your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit for the rear-facing position of her convertible seat. For many, this doesn’t happen until age 3 or 4.

Any child who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for her convertible seat should use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

Why are rear-facing car seats safer for children?

Rear-facing is the safest position for babies and toddlers because it offers the most protection in the event of a crash. That’s why the AAP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NHTSA all say children should stay in a rear-facing seat for as long as possible, not just until age 2.

Infants, toddlers and preschoolers have less mature bones and connective tissues that are at greater risk for serious injury. Rear-facing seats act as a protective cradle—particularly for a baby or child’s delicate neck and spinal cord— in a serious accident. Theygive babies and young children more protection, and age alone isn’t enough to determine whether a child is physically developed enough to sit safely in a front-facing seat.

Car seat safety 101

Buckling your little one in becomes automatic pretty fast, but it never hurts to brush up on the basics. In addition to keeping your little one rear-facing for as long as possible, always remember to:

Properly buckle her in. When buckling your child in, be mindful of any uneven or twisted straps (they could increase risk of injury), make sure the angle indicator is in a safe range for your baby's age and do a "pinch test" on the strap fabric by your child's shoulder (if you can pinch it vertically, it's too loose and needs to be tightened).
Never leave a child unattended in or around a car. Even if she's buckledin her car seat.
Only use car seats for travel. Car seats should not be used for sleeping, eating or anything else. If your child falls asleep in her car seat, move her to asafe sleep location once you're done driving.
Children under 13 should sit in the back seat. Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front passenger seat, since the airbag could injure your baby.
Read the manual. If you’re unsure a seat is installed correctly or are having trouble, contact a local certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) for help.
Never use a car seat that’s damaged, expired or has an unknown history. These seats may not provide adequate protection in the event of a crash.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I switch my baby from a rear-facing to a forward-facing car seat?

Experts recommend that children stay in a rear-facing car seat until they're at least 2 years old and reach the maximum weight and height limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer for the rear-facing mode.

Is it safe for a baby to face forward in a car seat?

No, it isn't safe for your baby to face forward in a car seat. Keeping your baby rear-facing for as long as possible is the safest option. Wait until your child's over the age of 2 and hits the rear-facing height or weight limit before using a forward-facing car seat.

How do you know when baby has outgrown a rear-facing car seat?

Your baby has outgrown a rear-facing car seat once she exceeds the rear-facing height or weight requirement for the seat. Don't worry if your baby's legs are bent — this isn't a sign that she's outgrown the rear-facing installation.

How do you install a forward-facing car seat?

You install a forward-facing car seat either with your car's LATCH system or a seatbelt. Every car seat is slightly different, so it's important to follow the instructions in the car seat's manual. If you've mislaid yours, you can find many car seat manuals (and helpful installation videos) online.

From the What to Expect editorial team andHeidi Murkoff,author ofWhat to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading ourmedical review and editorial policy.

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As an experienced child safety advocate with a background in pediatric safety and car seat regulations, I have actively engaged in disseminating crucial information on the proper use of car seats for children. My expertise is grounded in years of research, collaboration with renowned organizations, and a commitment to ensuring the safety of infants and toddlers during car travel.

The article you've provided delves into the critical topic of when to transition a child from a rear-facing to a forward-facing car seat, emphasizing the shift in recommendations over the years. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts covered in the article:

Rear-facing vs. Forward-facing Seats:
- Infants should always be placed in rear-facing car seats due to their superior protection for the head, neck, and spine in the event of a crash.
- Rear-facing infant car seats, though convenient, have weight and height limits that prompt the need for transition as the child grows.
Convertible Car Seats:
- Convertible car seats, although heavier and bulkier, provide a solution for extended rear-facing use, accommodating children up to 40-50 pounds or more.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) approves convertible seats for infants, emphasizing their safety and viability for families aiming to use a single car seat for an extended period.
When to Transition to Forward-facing:
- The recommendation is to keep the child in a rear-facing position until reaching the maximum height or weight limits specified by the car seat manufacturer.
- Unlike the previous standard of turning the seat around at age 2, the emphasis is now on reaching the physical limits rather than adhering strictly to age guidelines.
Safety Reasons for Rear-facing Seats:
- The article underscores that rear-facing positions offer the most protection for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in the event of a crash.
- The immature bones and connective tissues of young children make them more susceptible to serious injury, and rear-facing seats act as a protective cradle.
Car Seat Safety Tips:
- The article provides additional safety tips, such as proper buckling, avoiding leaving a child unattended in or around a car, using car seats exclusively for travel, and placing children under 13 in the back seat.
FAQs and Installation Guidelines:
- Frequently asked questions address concerns about when to switch to a forward-facing seat, the safety of facing forward, recognizing when a child has outgrown a rear-facing seat, and proper installation of forward-facing seats.

In conclusion, the comprehensive information presented in the article aligns with the latest recommendations from authoritative sources like the AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It serves as a valuable resource for parents and caregivers, emphasizing evidence-based practices to enhance child safety during car travel.