age to turn car seat forward
All children whose weight or height is above the forward-facing limit for their car seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between 8 and 12 years of age. In light of this new research, experts now recommend that you keep your toddler's convertible car seat facing backward until she's at least 2-years-old or has reached the seat's height and weight limits for the rear position (usually 36 inches and 30 to 35 pounds). Source: The editors of Parents magazine. 1 Built-in seats —Some vehicles come with built-in forward-facing seats. 2  Weight and height limits vary. 3  However, do not use built-in seats until your child is at least 2 years of age. 4  Read your vehicle owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer for details about how to use these seats. A. The American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation has been to keep a child in a rear-facing seat until she's at least 1 year and 20 pounds. But a new study has found that it's five times safer for your 1-year-old to ride facing backward than forward. Any child who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their convertible car seat should use a forward-facing car seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat manufacturer. 1 Check the instructions to be sure. 2  If using a seat belt, make sure the seat belt runs through the forward-facing belt path (be sure to follow car seat instructions). 3  If using the lower anchors, follow car seat and vehicle owner's manual instructions. 4  Always use the top tether when you can. Children should remain in a rear-facing car seat (either an “infant” or a “convertible”) until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer. A convertible seat starts out rear-facing and converts to a forward-facing seat when the child is ready. 1 Combination seat with harness —Seats can be used forward-facing with a harness for children who weigh up to 40 to 90 pounds (depending on the model) or without the harness as a booster (up to 80-120 pounds, depending on the model). 2  Built-in seats —Some vehicles come with built-in forward-facing seats. Find out when to switch to from a rear-to front-facing car seat. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a BOOSTER SEAT and still in the back seat. It is against California law to leave a child under the age of seven alone in the car without the supervision of a person at least 12 years old if: 1.
2 years