1. Health

Discuss in my forum

Forward Facing Only Car Seats

By , About.com Guide

Updated March 27, 2011

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: Forward Facing Only Seats:
  • Used when toddlers outgrow their rear-facing infant only seat.
  • Rated for use by children who are between 20 and 40 pounds, although some new forward-facing convertible and combination car seats have a 65 to 85 pound weight limit.
  • Harness straps should be at or above child's shoulders.
  • Harness chest clip should be at armpit level.
  • According the latest car seat guidelines, once children are two years old (or, regardless of age, have outgrown their rear-facing car seat) toddlers should sit in a forward-facing car seat with harness straps as long as possible and until they reach the weight and height limits of their car seat.

Featured Forward Facing car seats:

adapted from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.