When Should I Turn My Child Forward-Facing in a Car Seat?

It’s one of the most commonly asked car seat questions—and understandably so. When you're on the road with your little one, their safety is your top priority. Sometimes, caregivers want to switch their child to a forward-facing seat as soon as possible so that they can keep an eye on them in the rearview mirror* and get the reassurance they’re looking for. However, the rear-facing position offers exceptional protection for a child’s developing head, neck, and spine, which is why it’s best practice to keep your child rear-facing as long as possible.

Britax recommends that children ride rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height specified by their seat. Each car seat brand/model has unique height and weight limits, so it’s important to ensure that you’re following the requirements for your specific seat. These can be found on the seat labels and in the user guide.

Britax Tip: Once your child outgrows their rear-facing-only seat, look for a convertible or all-in-one model that offers an extended rear-facing capacity. This will allow them to continue riding rear-facing well into the toddler years. For example, the Britax One4Life®, One4Life Slim, Poplar®, and Poplar S seats accommodate children up to 50 lbs and 49” rear-facing. (Note: There are some differences in rear-facing weight limits for select models between the US and Canada.)

Car seat laws differ by location. It’s essential to follow local requirements in addition to your car seat manufacturer’s instructions when making the switch to forward-facing. 

U.S. Residents: Check your state’s laws on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website. 

Canadian Residents: Use the map tool on the Canadian Automobile Association website to find your province’s car seat requirements.

Q: My child’s legs touch the back of the vehicle seat when they’re in their rear-facing car seat. Should I go ahead and switch to forward-facing?

A: As long as your child is still within the height, weight, and fitment requirements provided by the car seat manufacturer, they can remain in their rear-facing seat—even if their feet touch the vehicle seat. While this position may look cramped and uncomfortable, remember that children are more flexible than adults and often sit cross-legged or with bent knees naturally. 

Q: I want to see my child when they’re in the car, but I can’t when they’re rear-facing.

A: We understand! Check to see if your car seat manufacturer has an approved mirror* designed for use with rear-facing seats. Britax offers a back seat mirror that can help give you peace of mind and allow you to check in on your little one while they’re riding in their Britax car seat. Only use car seat accessories that are approved by your seat’s manufacturer.

Q: My child is ready to forward-face. How do I ensure proper installation and fit?

A: First, follow the instructions in your car seat user guide for forward-facing installation. Can’t find your user guide? Check the manufacturer’s website or contact customer service. You can find digital copies of Britax user guides or reach out to our customer service team on our site. 

Next, follow this quick forward-facing checklist:

• The harness straps should be snug - you shouldn’t be able to pinch any of the webbing vertically at the collarbone. See the "Pinch Test" in action.
• The shoulder straps should be positioned at or just above the child’s shoulders, according to the manufacturer's instructions. This will vary depending on the mode. Watch this video for an example of correct shoulder strap positioning on a Britax harness-2-booster seat.
• The chest clip should be positioned at armpit level, as in this example.

Pro Tip: We also recommend connecting with a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) near you. CPSTs are trained to help you confirm that you’ve installed your seat correctly and can help answer your car seat-related questions.

It can be tempting to move to the forward-facing stage quickly—but remember, it's best practice to keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible. By staying informed, checking your seat’s specifications, and following best practices, you can help ensure that your child stays safe on every ride. 

*Safety reminder: Only glance at your backseat mirror when the vehicle is stopped or when it's safe to do so. Remember, your focus belongs on the road while driving—your little one’s safety depends on it.