Can an Infant Car Seat Be Placed in Front Seat?

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

It is not recommended to put car seats in front of airbags a vehicle seat, as the force of the airbag could cause fatal injuries to infants and children.

1. The 1.5 Inch Rule

Many parents ask whether an infant car seat in front seat (see) car seat may be placed in front of the driver's seat, and the answer is always no. The reason is simple: If a crash happens and the child is involved, they could get their head struck by an airbag, especially if they are in the front seat. The airbag can cause injury or even kill a baby.

Infant car seats are only designed to be rear-facing. The backrest of the seat is positioned against the rear of the car seat in a crash, providing the most effective protection for your infant.

A rear-facing car seat protects your child's neck and head better than a front-facing seat that only offers the most basic protection. The headrest also prevents the child from sliding off the shoulder straps in a crash and the harness holds the chest clip above the shoulders of your child.

It's important to note that there are ZERO documented cases of kids in car seats that face forwards breaking their legs when they strike the back of the front vehicle seat. This happens when a kid's feet rise and get caught against the seat's back which causes a lot of stress on the bones of the leg. There is no reason to put your child at risk for this.

There are a variety of programs in the United States for parents who qualify to get discounted or free infant car seats. This is a great way to ensure your child is placed in a safe seat before they get out of it and can be used in a safe manner for a long time.

The base of the majority of modern infant car seats is designed to be removed and installed, making them more convenient to use. This feature is especially helpful for traveling with young children, as you can keep the car seat on and ready for use even when switching vehicles.

Before you put your child in the car seat check if the back of the car seat will be in contact with the vehicle seat's back by locating the center of the seat and measuring it with a tape to determine. Many items, such as the blade of a key for the house or the length of earbuds that are wireless are around 1.5 inches long and can be used to check for this space. Then, check the instructions on your car seat as well as the the owner's manual of your vehicle to determine whether you can alter the angle of the car seat to remove this space.

2. Harness Position

In the infant car seats and bouncers, swings, strollers, and other toys for children, newborns and preemies may fall into a dangerous position with their chins touching their chests. In the event of a collision the children could be injured or crushed by the chest clip. Check that the straps are placed slightly 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 pinch excess fabric to each other. This is called the Pinch Test. Winter coats and other bulky outer layers could interfere with the Pinch Test, so remove them before you buckle your child in their seat.

The chest clip is designed to break in a crash but it can cause a child's throat to collapse in the event that it's too high or when the chest straps are too loose. It's also important that the chest clip is not placed in the neck opening of the collar - the buckle should be placed at the armpit level.

During a crash, rear-facing infants can slide up the seat and the harness straps must be able to cradle the child's head and neck. This is why it's very important that the straps be placed over the shoulders. If the straps aren't high enough, they could slide over the baby's ears, or go through their neck opening, and if they are too loose, they could move up to the child's nose.

Ensure the shoulder straps are in the slots at or above your child's shoulders, and that they fit snugly. Infants may require an infant insert (often included in the car seat) to raise them so that their shoulders can reach the slot. Some infant car seats include angle indicators or adjustors that could help you with this. You can also refer to the instructions that come in your seat.

3. Rear-Facing Only

While some parents might be tempted to flip their infant car seat to face forward, due to their child's legs being too short in the rear-facing position, there's really no reason to do so. Rear-facing is safer than forward-facing, as the child's spine and neck are protected in the event of an accident. Forward-facing children can suffer serious injuries due to the fact that their bodies are thrown into the vehicle.

Additionally, many infant car seats come with a built-in angle indicator so you can ensure that the seat is correctly installed. It is also important to ensure that your child's head rests on the seat flat, and that the straps are on their shoulders, not under their arms. To check whether the harness is too tight it is best to hold a small amount material on the shoulder of your child. It is also important to check the crotch buckle strap to be sure that it is at a level with the armpits, not at the waist. It is also recommended to read your infant car seat manual to ensure you understand the correct method to use it with your child.

The majority of manufacturers recommend that children ride rear-facing until at minimum one year old or until they reach the weight and height limits. Certain states have laws that require infants to be rear-facing until they reach the age of two years old.

Install the infant car seat on the middle seat of a vehicle with only one back seat. This will allow you to view your child comfortably through the rearview mirror without having to bend over. Installing the car seat on the driver's side will also make it easier to get your child into and out of the seat.

If your vehicle has two back seats, the infant car seat can be installed on either side as long as it's not in the airbag's front on the passenger side. However, if you have to decide whether to install the infant car seat on the left or right side of the vehicle, you can put it on the driver's side.

4. Booster Seats

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

Booster seats can assist in positioning the lap belt and shoulder properly. They can also limit the distance that a child's head moves during the crash, which lowers the chance of injuries. Head movement is the main cause of motor vehicle accidents that are the top deaths of children aged 4-8.

If a booster isn't properly used, the lap portion can travel over a child’s abdomen and cause serious injuries if an accident occurs. This can be avoided with a belt guide on the booster that prevents the lap belt from sliding onto a child's stomach, or getting over armrests.

Many boosters are designed with armrests, handles, or guide slots that aid to place the lap belt low and flat across the child's upper thighs. This ensures that the lap belt is placed and remains on a child's strong hip bones instead of being pushed up into their stomachs in the event of an accident.

Some booster seats are equipped with an automatic seat belt locking mechanism to keep the belt secure while children are sitting in it, and this can help to prevent the lap belt from moving up over a child's abdomen. This can help prevent the seatbelt from being pulled over a child’s face. This can lead to hypoxia and airway obstruction, as well neck strain.