When can a baby sit facing forward in their car seat?

Question

What is the recommended age that a baby can sit facing forward in the back seat of a car?? Thanks.

Answer 1

The old 20lbs/1 year rule is just that. OLD. It came about in the 1980's when our seats were only capable of rear facing to 20lbs and we didn't know any better. Now we definitely know better and all current convertible seats rear face to at least 30lbs, but its hard getting people to realize this.

Turning kids forward at 20lbs/1year is an outdated practice that could cost you your child's life!

1)A forward-facing child under 2 years old is 5 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash than a rear-facing child of the same age.

2)A child's vertabrae do not fully fuse until 3-6 years old, before then, she is at great risk for internal decapitation. The spinal column can stretch up to 2 inches in a crash BUT the spinal cord can only stretch up to 1/4 inch before it snaps and baby is gone.

3)Current research suggests that children under the age of two years are 75 percent less likely to die or be seriously injured when they are riding rear facing.

4)In a recent article from Injury Prevention, it was found that the odds of severe injury to forward facing children age 12-23 months old was 5.32 times higher than a rear facing child. (Car Safety Seats For Children: Rear Facing For Best Protection; Injury Prevention 2007; 13:398-402.)

It works this way: when you get in an accident and run into something, the car stop suddently, but everything and everyone in the car keeps moving in the direction the car was moving when it stopped, in most accidents, this is forward. So in an accident with a child in a forward facing seat, his head, the heaviest part of the body on babies and toddlers, flies forward very forcefully and easily snaps. If that same child is in a rear facing seat, his head tries to fly forward but is supported by the back of the rear facing seat, so there is no stress put on the child's neck and spine.

Check out this photo album exclusively of rear facing kids, many of them much older than 12 months: http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum...  There isn't a single documented case of a child breaking their legs b/c they were rear facing in an accident. There are, however, lots of cases where children have been killed and seriously injured where a rear facing seat would have protected them better. And  most kids actually prefer to be rear facing b/c they can rest their feet on the vehicle seat back. When they are forward facing, their legs don't receive enough support and will frequently fall asleep.

Answer 2

When they are 1 and weight at least 20 lbs. You can talk to your pediatrician. My daughter at 10 or 11 months was facing forward because of her being so long, but that was what her pediatrician told me.

Answer 3

1 year old AND 20 + lbs but the longer you wait the better.  your baby has longer to let his/her bones and ligaments grow to support her in case of an accident.  I know a 2 1/2 year old that still has to ride back wards becaus she is so light.  my daughter is 21 lbs but can't right forward because she is only 10 months.

Answer 4

It depends on the state you live in. In New york state it's 1 ans 20 pounds. I plan to rear-face until 2 and 30 pounds because it's safer.

Answer 5

the minimum standard is 1 year AND at least 20 pounds....so which ever occurs later....extended rear facing, beyond the minimum has big saftey advantages however...

Answer 6

When they are one AND over 20 pounds. Not one or the other, but both.

Answer 7

All depends which country you are in.

Here in Australia it is 6 months old or 8kg. Another guide is when they can sit up on the floor unaided.

Answer 8

one year old, and at least 20 lbs, and have good head control.

Answer 9

I believe it is once they can no longer fit into the infant seat... which I believe is 30inches and over 20 lbs. Read your manuel on the infant seat it will tell you...

Answer 10

1 year AND weighing at least 20 lbs.

Answer 11

At least one year and and least 20 pounds, but it's recommended to keep them rear facing as long as comfortable possible for baby's safety.  

Answer 12

Your baby has to meet both of the two criteria's:

1. They must be 20lbs.

2. They have to be at least 1 year old!