Can an Infant Car Seat Be Placed in Front Seat?

As children get older, they can move out of their infant car seats they can transition into convertible or all-in-one seats. These car seats are available in rear-facing and forward-facing versions but they must satisfy certain weight and age requirements.

It is not advised to place car seats behind airbags on the vehicle seat, since the force of the airbag could be fatal to children and babies.

1. The 1.5 Inch Rule

The answer to this question is no. The reason is very simple If a collision occurs, the child could have their head hit by an airbag if they are in the front seat. The airbag could injure or even kill a child.

This is the reason why rotating infant car seat car seats are designed to be rear-facing only. In the event of a crash the back of the seat will rest against the rear of your car seat. This provides the best security for the infant.

A rear-facing car seats protects your child's neck and head more effectively than a front-facing one, which only provides minimal protection. The headrest prevents the child from slipping off the shoulder straps in the event of a crash, and the harness keeps the chest clip above the shoulders of your child.

It is important to keep in mind that there are ZERO documented cases of kids in car seats that face forwards breaking their legs after hitting the rear of the front seat. This happens when children's feet fly upwards and get caught against the back of the seat, putting enormous pressure 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 that provide infant car seats on sale car seats at a discount or free for parents who meet the requirements. This is a fantastic opportunity to ensure that your child is in a secure car seat before they outgrow of it. It can be used for a number of years.

The majority of modern infant car seats have a base that they click into and out of, making them much easier to use than older models. This feature is particularly useful for families with small children because you can keep the car seat in place and ready to go even when you switch vehicles.

Find the center of the vehicle seat and measure it using a tape. Many things, such as the blade of a house key, or the length of wireless earbuds, are about 1.5 inches long and can be used to check for this space. Check the instructions for the car seat as well as the owner's manual for your vehicle to determine whether the angle can be adjusted to remove the space.

2. Harness Position

Preemies and newborns frequently are prone to fall into a risky chin-to-chest position in infant car seats, bouncy seats, swings, strollers and other toys for children. In the event of a collision, they can be injured or crushed by the chest clip. To prevent this from happening, make sure that the shoulder straps begin a little below and then come upwards over the shoulders of the child and be sure to tighten the straps. The straps should be tight enough to hold the excess fabric together. This is called the Pinch Test. The bulky outer layers of winter coats may hinder this so be sure to remove them before buckling your child in their seat.

The chest clip is designed to break during a crash but it can compress on a child's throat in the event that it's too high or when the chest straps aren't tight enough. It is also essential that the chest clip is not in the neck opening of the collar. the buckle should be placed at armpit level.

In the event of a crash rear-facing infants are likely to slide up the seat and the harness straps must be able to cradle the child's neck and head. It is essential to put the straps on the shoulders. If the straps fall too low, they could slip through the neck opening of the lightweight baby car seat or even over their ears. If they are too loose, they can touch the face of the child.

Make sure that the shoulder straps are properly fitted and positioned in the slots above or around the child's shoulders. Newborns may require an infant insert (often included in the car seat) to raise their shoulders so they can reach the slot. Some infant car seats come with built-in angle indicators or adjustors that assist with this, and you can always check the instructions included with your seat.

3. Rear-Facing Only

Some parents may be tempted by the fact that their child's legs are getting shorter in the rear-facing seat but there's no need to do this. Rear-facing is more secure than forward-facing as the infant's neck and spine are supported in the event of an accident. Forward-facing children's bodies are thrown backwards by the vehicle and can cause serious injury.

A lot of infant car seat best car seats include an angle indicator to ensure that the seat is properly installed. It is also important to make sure your child's head is flat against the seat and the harness straps are placed over their shoulders, not under their arms or bent. To check whether the harness is too tight it is best to squeeze a small amount of material around the shoulder of your child. Check the crotch strap to make sure it is at the same level as the armpits and not at the waist. You should also read the manual of your infant car seat so you are aware of how to use it properly.

The majority of manufacturers recommend that children ride rear-facing until at minimum one year old or until they reach their car seat's weight and height limits. Certain states have laws that require babies to remain rear-facing until two years old.

Install the infant car seat travel car seat on the middle seat of a vehicle with only one back 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 have a vehicle with two back seats, you can place the infant car seat on either side as long as it isn't directly in front of the passenger side air bag. If you have to choose between installing an infant car seat on the left or the right side of your vehicle, you can install it on the driver’s side.

4. Booster Seats

Children who have outgrown their infant car seat due to weight and height will require a booster until the vehicle's seat belt fits them properly. This is only possible when they are at a minimum of 4 feet 9 inches tall and have reached the top of their headrest (check the seat manufacturer's recommendations for exact measurements).

Booster seats assist in positioning the lap and shoulder belt properly. Booster seats can also reduce how far the neck moves in collisions, reducing the risk of injuries. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children between the ages of 4-8, and head motion is the biggest culprit.

If a booster is used incorrectly the lap part of the belt could slide up over a child's abdomen and cause serious injuries in an accident. This can be avoided by using a booster equipped with lap belt guides to prevent the lap belt from sliding over arm rests or sliding up on a child's belly.

Many boosters are designed with armrests, handles or guide slots that help to place the lap belt in a low and flat position over a child's upper thighs. This ensures that the lap belt is placed and stays on a child's sturdy hip bones instead of slipping into their soft stomach area during an accident.

Some booster seats come with a seatbelt locking mechanism that locks the seatbelt in place when a child sits in them. This can stop the lapbelt from moving upwards and over the child's abdomen. This can help prevent the seatbelt from being pulled over a child's face. This could lead to airway obstruction and hypoxia as well neck strain.