If your infant arrives early how do you safely accommodate a premature baby in a car seat. Children who are too tall for a forward facing convertible seat whose ears line up with the back of the convertible seat may use a high backed booster seat. These should also be used by children weighing about 40 80 lbs and who are 4 years and older. Legs bending or pushing on vehicle seats is not a safety concern or a reason to turn forward facing durocher says. This can be quite some time as. Use a forward facing car seat until at least age 4 and until your child reaches the height or weight limit of their seat.
As a rule of thumb there should be at least 1 of space between the top of your childs head and the top of the car seat with any less meaning an upgrade is necessary. Do not use the seat in a forward facing position until your child reaches the required weight. Forward facing seats fit children that weigh 40 to 80 lbsthe minimum weight in which children can use forward facing seats is 20 lbs 1. Kids can next move to a belt positioning booster seat when they reach the weight and height harness strap limits of their forward facing car seat. Graco offers a line of car seats that help your child safely ride rear facing longer until they reach 50 lb. A booster seat raises the kid so that the lap and shoulder belt fit properly.
Different models will have different weight requirements. The total weight an infant only seat can hold is 22 25lbs and a rear facing car seat can fit 40 45lbs with both pending on the brand and model. Most convertible seats have limits that permit children to ride rear facing for 2 or more years. That can be anywhere from 60 to 100 pounds 272 to 454kg depending on. Use a rear facing seat until age 2 or more. Make sure children are properly buckled in a car seat booster seat or seat belt whichever is appropriate for their weight height and age.
Keep in mind that many convertible car seats and combination car seats have forward facing weight limits of 65 to 80 pounds when used with harness straps. All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear facing car seat as long as possible until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car seat manufacturer. This usually means around 40 to 50 pounds and up to 44 to 49 inches tall depending on the make and model. Use a rear facing car seat from birth until ages 24. For the best possible protection infants and toddlers should be buckled in a rear facing car seat in the back seat until they reach the maximum weight and height limits of their car seat. Children are safer riding rear facing and should ride rear facing as long as possible until they reach the maximum rear facing height or weight rating for their car seat.
Graco supports the american academy of pediatrics and. Once your child has graduated to a forward facing car seat its recommended they remain in it until they reach the height and weight limit of their seat.