When Should We Switch to a Forward-Facing Car Seat?

By Dina Steele on September 8, 2014

Infants and toddlers are safest when riding in a rear-facing car seat – but as every Texas parent knows, children grow quickly.  A car seat that fits your little one today may not fit in a few weeks or months.  When your child outgrows a rear-facing seat, what should you do?

Here are some tips for how to decide what car seat to buy when your child gets too big for his or her rear-facing seat, courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and your experienced Texas car accident attorney:

• Does your child meet both the height and weight requirements for a forward-facing seat? If your child is too short or not heavy enough for a forward-facing seat look for a rear-facing seat with a higher height or weight limit to accommodate your child.
• Would a convertible or all-in-one suit your needs better? Many parents like the lightweight infant seats because they’re easy to carry – but children also outgrow them more quickly.  If your child has outgrown an infant seat, look at convertible or all-in-one options to extend the time spent rear-facing or to make the transition to forward-facing or booster-seat use easier as the child continues to grow.
• Is the seat easy to install correctly in your vehicle? Your first concern should be whether the seat is right for your child.  But a seat that won’t install correctly in your vehicle cannot protect your child in a crash.  Make sure the seat installs properly, and get it double-checked if you need to.