Can an Infant Car Seat Be Placed in Front Seat?

When children are outgrowing their infant car seats, they can change to convertible or all-in one car seats. These car seats can be rear-facing or forward-facing, however they have to meet certain age and weight requirements.

Car seats should not be placed in front of a seat with airbags, since the force of the airbag could be fatal for babies and children.

1. The 1.5 Inch Rule

Many parents ask whether the infant car seat could be placed on top of the driver's seat, and the answer is always no. The reason is simple: When a crash occurs, the child's head could be struck by an airbag when in the front seat. The airbag can cause injury or even kill a lightweight baby car seat.

This is why infant car seats are made to be rear-facing only. In a crash, the seat's back will be positioned against the rear of your car seat. This is the best car seats for newborns security for the infant.

In addition, the rear-facing car seat safeguards the head and neck of your child better than a forward-facing car seat that offers only minimal neck and head protection. The headrest also prevents the child from falling off the shoulder straps in a crash and the harness will keep the chest clip above your child's shoulders.

It's important to keep in mind that there are ZERO documented instances of children sitting in forward-facing seats breaking their legs when they strike the rear of the seat. This happens when children's feet rise and are sucked into the back of the seat, which puts tremendous stress on the bones of the leg. There is no reason to put your child at risk for this.

There are numerous programs in the United States for parents who meet the criteria to receive free or discounted infant car seats. This is a fantastic opportunity to get your child in a safe car seat before they outgrow of it. It can be used for many years.

The majority of newer infant best car seat infant seats come with an adjustable base that they can click into and out of, making them much easier to use than older models. This feature is especially helpful for traveling with young children because you can keep the car seat installed and ready for use even when switching vehicles.

Find the center of the vehicle seat and measure it using the help of a tape. This space is a test that can be done with a variety of things, such as the blade of a key or the length of earbuds wireless. Review the instructions for your car seat as well as the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine whether the angle can be adjusted to eliminate the space.

2. Harness Position

In infant car seats and bouncers, swings strollers, and other equipment for children, infants and preemies could fall into a dangerous position with their chins touching their chests. In the event of a collision they could be injured or crushed by the chest clip. Check that the straps are positioned just a little below the shoulders of the child, and then, when they are up, they should be over their shoulders. Adjust them to prevent this. The straps must be secure enough to hold the excess fabric to each other. This is called the Pinch Test. Overly bulky outer layers such as winter coats can interfere with this so be sure to remove them before buckling your child in their seat.

The chest clip was designed for a crash, however it can cause compression to the neck of the child if it's too low or are not tight enough. It's also crucial that the chest clip not in the neck opening of the collar - the buckle should be placed at armpit level.

In the event of a crash who are facing rearwards will slide up the seat. The harness straps must be sufficient to support the head and neck of the child. It is essential to put the straps on the shoulders. If the straps are too low, they may slide through the opening in the neck of the infant or over their ears. If they're too loose, they could reach the child's face.

Make sure the shoulder straps are in the slots over your child's shoulders, and that they fit comfortably. Newborns may require a separate infant insert (often included in the car seat) to raise them up so their shoulders reach this slot. Some infant car Seat in front seat car seats include angle indicators or adjustors that can aid you in this. You may also want to check the instructions included in the seat.

3. Rear-Facing Only

Some parents might be enticed by the fact that their child's legs are becoming shorter in the rear-facing seat, but there's no need to do this. Rear-facing is safer than forward-facing as the infant's spine and neck are protected in the event of an accident. Forward-facing children's bodies are thrown backward against the vehicle and can cause serious injury.

Many infant car seats also have an angle indicator so that you can ensure the seat is installed correctly. Also, you should ensure that your child's head rests flat on the seat, and that the straps are over their shoulders instead of under their arms. You should be able to squeeze a small amount of material at their shoulders to ensure that the harness is tight enough. Examine the crotch strap to ensure that it is at the same height as the armpits and not at the waist. You should also review the manual for your infant car seat to ensure you are aware of how to use it correctly.

The majority of manufacturers recommend that children use rear-facing seats in their best car seats for infants seats until they are at least one year old or until they have reached the weight and height limits of their specific car seat. Certain states have laws that require infants to be rear-facing for a minimum of two years.

Install the infant newborn car seat seat on the middle seat of a vehicle that has only one rear seat. This allows you to view your child clearly through the rearview mirror, without having to bend over. Installing the car seat on your driver's side can make it easier to get your child into and out of the seat.

If you own a car with two rear seats, you can put the infant car seat on either side as long as it's not behind the passenger side air bag. However, if you have to decide between installing the infant car seat on the right or left side of the vehicle, place it on the driver's side.

4. Booster Seats

Children who have outgrown their infant car seats due to weight and height will need a booster until the vehicle's seat belt is fitted properly. This can only be done when the child is at a minimum 4'9" tall and has reached the top of the headrest.

Booster seats aid in positioning the lap and shoulder belt correctly. They also decrease the distance that a child's skull moves during the crash, which lowers the chance of injury. Head movement is the main cause of motor vehicle accidents that are the top deaths of children aged 4-8.

If a booster is used improperly the lap portion of the belt could slide up over a child's abdomen and cause severe injuries in an accident. This can be avoided by using a booster that has lap belt guides that stop the lap belt from sliding over arm rests or sliding on a child's belly.

Many boosters are equipped with small handles, armrests, or guide slots that help to place the lap belt low and flat over a child's upper thighs. This ensures that the lap belt starts and stays on a child's strong hip bones, instead of slipping into their stomachs during a crash.

Some booster seats have an automatic seatbelt lock mechanism that secures the seatbelt when a child is sitting in them. This can help stop the lapbelt from moving up and over the child's abdomen. This can also help to stop the seat belt from being pulled across the face of a child, which could cause hypoxia and airway obstruction, as well as neck strain.