All convertible seats on the market in the us have for many many years allowed rear facing until at least 30 pounds with most going to 40 or more pounds rear facing. Move from rear facing to forward facing.
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Height and weight to switch to forward facing. 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. If your baby is in an infant seat and has outgrown it when his weight has exceeded the seats limit or when the top of his head is less than two inches from the top of the seat it is safer to buy a convertible seatthat faces rear until 30 or 35 pounds than it is to buy a combination convertiblebooster seat. At that point the seat can be converted into a forward facing. Use this seat for as long as possible up to the highest weight or height allowed on the seats label. Babies and toddlers weighing about 20 40 lbs and between 1 4 years of age can ride in such convertible seats. Forward facing car seat.
Most convertible car seats can be used in the rear facing position until a child reaches the weight limit typically 40 to 50 pounds. Once the babies reach the proper weight weigh more than 20 pounds and acquire appropriate skills they can pull themselves up they can be moved to a front facing car seat. These are the basic requirements. Similarly the transport canada website states that children who have outgrown their rear facing seat and weigh at least 10 kg 22 lb may ride facing the front in a child car seat crossfield notes that in rare cases this could mean a four month old baby could be legally facing forward. Different models will have different weight requirements. Any child between the ages of one year and four years old or who weighs between 20 and 40 pounds is required to use a forward facing car seat.
The booster seat weight starts at 40 pounds or for any child between the ages of four and six years of age. Children who have outgrown the rear facing weight or height limit for their car seat should move to a forward facing car seat with a 5 point harness and top tether. However the labels on the car seat confuse many families leading them to think a child must be forward facing starting at 22 lbs. A child can only continue in a rear facing position until a certain weight or height after which time you will have to switch to a forward facing position. Different models will have different weight requirements. But some things like when she graduates from a rear facing car seat to a forward facing car seat shouldnt be rushed.
Make sure you check the weight and height requirements of whichever car seat you buy especially for its rear facing limits. 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. It is recommended that you keep your child in this car seat for as long as possible before transitioning to a booster so be sure to review the weight and height limits from the manufacturer.