Phillip Coppin

Can an Infant Car Seat Be Placed in Front Seat?

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

Car seats should not be placed in front of a seat with airbags, since the force of the deployed air bag can be lethal for infants and children.

1. The 1.5 Inch Rule

The answer to this question is no. The reason is simple: If a crash happens and the child is in the front seat, they could have their head struck by an airbag if they are in the front seat. The result is that the airbag can cause harm or even death to the infant car seat rear facing.

This is why infant car seats are made to be rear-facing only. The backrest of the seat is positioned against the back of the vehicle seat in a collision, ensuring the best protection for your infant.

A rear-facing car seat protects your child's head and neck better than a front-facing car seat that offers only minimal protection. The headrest prevents the child from falling off the shoulder straps during the event of a crash and the harness will keep the chest clip in place above the shoulders of your child.

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 fly upwards and get trapped against the rear of the seat, putting immense pressure on the bones of the leg. There is no reason to expose your child to the risk for this.

There are several programs in the United States that offer infant car seats at a reduced price or at no cost to parents who qualify. This is a great opportunity to get your child in a safe car seat before they grow out of it. It is a great option for children to use for many years.

The base of most modern infant car seats is designed to be removed and inserted, making them easier to use. This feature is especially beneficial for families with small children as it allows you to keep the car seat on and ready for use even if you change vehicles.

Find the middle of the seat and measure with 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 the wireless earbuds. Review the instructions for your car seat as well as the owner's manual of your vehicle to see whether the angle can be adjusted to eliminate the space.

2. Harness Position

In the infant car seats, bouncers, swings strollers, and other equipment for children, infants and preemies may get into a dangerous situation with their chests pressed against their chins. In a crash, they can be injured or crushed by the chest clip. Check that the straps are placed just below the shoulders of the child, and then they will be able to rise over their shoulders. Tighten them to avoid this. The straps should be secure enough to be able to squeeze any fabric that is not tight enough - this is called the Pinch Test. Overly bulky outer layers such as winter coats can hinder this, so make sure to take them off prior to buckling your child in their seat.

The chest clip is designed to break during a crash, but it may be compressed on the throat of a child when it's too low or if the chest straps are loose. The chest clip should not be placed in the neck opening. Instead it should be located at the armpit level.

In the event of a crash, rear-facing infants can slide up the seat and the harness straps need to be able to cradle the child's neck and head. This is why it's very crucial that the straps are placed over the shoulders. If the straps fall too low, they could slide through the opening in the neck of the baby or even over their ears. If they're too loose, they can be able to reach the face of the child.

Make sure the shoulder straps are that are above or below the shoulders of your child and they fit snugly. Newborns might need an infant insert (often provided with the car seat), to raise their shoulders until they can reach the slot. Some infant car seats have built-in angle indicators or adjustors that assist with this, and you should always read the instructions that came with the seat.

3. Rear-Facing Only

While some parents may be tempted to turn their infant Nania Children Booster Seat Beline Mickey - Group 1/2/3 Flamingo Car Seat: Side Impact Protection (describes it) seat to face forward due to their child's legs becoming too short in the rear-facing position really no reason why you should. Rear-facing is safer than forward-facing because the baby's spine and neck are protected in the event of an accident. Children who are facing forwards are thrown backwards by the vehicle and could cause serious injuries.

In addition, many infant car seats come with a built-in angle indicator so you can ensure that the seat is properly installed. It is also important to ensure that your child's head rests flat on the seat and that the straps are over their shoulders instead of under their arms. To determine if the harness is too tight you should be able to squeeze a small amount of material on your child's shoulder. Check the crotch strap and make sure it's at the same level as the armpits, and not at the waist. It is also recommended to read the instruction manual for your infant car seat to ensure that you know how to use it properly.

The majority of manufacturers recommend that children ride rear-facing in their car seats until they reach at least one year old or until they have reached the height and weight limit of their particular car seat. Certain states have laws that require babies to remain rear-facing until they are two years old.

Install the infant car seat on the middle seat of a vehicle that has only one rear seat. This will allow you to view your child easily through the rearview mirror without having to bend. 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 that has two back seats you can place the infant car seat on either side as you don't place it directly in front of the passenger side airbag. If you must choose between installing an infant car seat on either the left or right side of your vehicle, install 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 seat belt fits them properly. This can only happen when they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and have reached the top of their headrest (check the recommendations of the manufacturer of the seat for exact measurements).

Booster seats can help position the shoulder and lap belts correctly. They also limit the amount that a child's neck moves during collisions, which reduces the risk of injuries. Motor vehicle crashes are the most fatal killer of children between the ages of 4-8, and head movement is the most significant cause.

If a booster isn't used correctly the lap belt could travel over a child’s abdomen and cause serious injuries in the event of an accident. This can be prevented by using a booster equipped with lap belt guides that prevent the lap belt from slipping over arm rests or sliding on a child's belly.

Many boosters are equipped with small handles, armrests or guide slots that allow you to place the lap belt in a low and flat position across the child's upper thighs. This ensures that the lap belt is placed and stays on the child's strong hip bones instead of moving up into their stomachs in the event of an accident.

Certain booster seats feature the seatbelt locking mechanism which secures the seatbelt when a child is sitting in them. This can prevent the lapbelt from moving up and over the child's abdomen. This can prevent the seatbelt from being pulled over a child’s face. This could lead to airway obstruction and hypoxia, as well as neck strain.