Choosing the right car seat for your child isn’t just about comfort (though that should certainly be a consideration). It’s a matter of their safety. One of the biggest questions parents face is whether to keep their child rear-facing or switch to forward-facing. (Convertible seats that work as either rear- or forward-facing are also an option.)
When you start researching car seats, it won’t be long before you start seeing terms like “5-point harness booster seat,” and “how to read the dimension of an infant car seat,” among others. It can feel a bit overwhelming. But don’t worry: We’re here to break it down.
In this guide, we’ll compare rear-facing vs. forward-facing car seats, explain when to make the switch to match your child’s age, and help you choose the best car seats for newborns, toddlers, and beyond.
Rear-Facing vs. Forward-Facing: The Basics
You must understand that there’s no single right answer in the comparison between these two varieties of car seat. Age is perhaps the most significant (if not the only) factor to consider when picking out the first seat for your kid.
For example, rear-facing car seats are all but universally recommended for children under two years old, because of how small a child is during that phase of life. A rear-facing seat provides thorough support during a crash and effectively absorbs the impact of the forces hitting the car.
Government agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend rear-facing seats for this age group. (In fact, NHTSA guidance advises parents to use this seat type until children turn three.) But in many states, it’s also a legal requirement. For example, California makes rear-facing car seats mandatory for all children under two unless they are over 40 inches tall or weight 40-plus pounds.
After that, you can switch to a forward-facing seat with a harness, and eventually to a booster seat. This covers ages four through seven, and then they’ll likely be ready for seat belts.
But for every type of seat, you must be sure the dimensions – the seat’s height and weight limits – match the size of your child. If they don’t, you might be putting your kid at risk even if the seat itself is age-appropriate. Be ready to make a seat change as soon as your kid reaches certain height or weight thresholds.
Choosing the Right Seat for Each Stage
Some safety features matter for iall car seat stages, like the harness, cushioning, and LATCH connections (to keep the seat firmly in place). Others are most important at different phases of a child’s young life.
Best Car Seat for Newborns: Key Features
The idea behind a rear-facing car seat is that it provides all-over coverage – but side-impact protection is especially important. Your infant’s seat should have one or more of the following:
- Reinforced structures (with tough frames and/or extra cushioning layers)
- A dual-layer system to protect the head and absorb crash forces
- Features to minimize the child’s movement in crash scenarios
- Airbag-like impact absorption systems
- Infant inserts (if using a convertible seat)
Depending on your budget, you may also want to consider comfort features such cooling fabrics or reclining systems.
Best Forward-Facing Car Seat Features
When you switch your child to a forward-facing seat (or change over a convertible model to its forward configuration), certain other features will become significant that weren’t necessarily a priority before. Some of these are about comfort and flexibility, while others are still strictly about safety.
- An adjustable headrest ensures your toddler-age-child always stays comfortable, no matter how fast they’re growing. (Depending on the model, some will have adjustment options for the head and neck – sometimes a dozen or more.)
- The seat should have padding at all critical points, especially the head and sides. Seats that have high safety ratings from independent media outlets like Consumer Reports will usually fit this description. (In the US, all car seats must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213 to be sold, but no agency evaluates individual seats.)
- You need a harness that strikes a fine balance between protection and comfort. For example, an adjustable 5-point harness will protect your child by stabilizing the shoulders, hips, and area between the legs (where the straps buckle) while still ensuring comfort.
- A load leg is ideal for convertible seats that have been switched to their forward-facing configuration. This feature extends from the seat to rest on the rear floor, providing extra stability in a crash.
- If they’re within your price range, legroom extensions are ideal for kids reaching the ceiling of the four- to seven-year-old age group.
What You Need from a Booster Seat
Boosters sacrifice some of a car seat’s all-over protective features for the sake of your child’s comfort while growing. (Ultimately, this is also best for their safety, as a car seat they’ve outgrown won’t fit and thus can’t shield them from injury in an accident.)
A 5-point harness booster seat will be best for kids who are leaving traditional car seats behind for the first time.
You may also want a seat that you can easily convert from high-back to backless when your children are almost (but not quite) ready for seat belt protection alone. These multi-mode seats have the most flexibility in terms of height and weight, making them useful for the longest amount of time. Ideally, they should fit your vehicle as well with the back attachment in place as they do without it.
The May Firm Has Your Back
A car accident that injures your child is every parent’s nightmare scenario regardless of context. But if someone is clearly at fault in the accident – even if it’s the manufacturer of your child’s car seat – our highly experienced personal injury lawyers can help you pursue any financial compensation you deserve. Get in touch with us today to learn more.
