Toddlers and Preschoolers: Forward-Facing Car Seats | Injury and Violence Prevention Program | UC Davis Health

Choose a child safety seat from the following types:

Convertible Seat

A convertible child safety seat can be used in the forward-facing and rear-facing positions. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing height or weight limit, they are ready to use the forward-facing convertible seat until they reach the weight or height limit recommended by the manufacturer.

Combination Seat

Combination child safety seats feature a 5-point harness and can later be converted into a booster seat. Use the internal harness to the maximum limits indicated in the child safety seat manual. When the child reaches the weight limit of the harness or their shoulders are above the top harness slots, remove the harness and use the seat as a booster with both a lap and shoulder belt.

3-in-1 Child Safety Seat

3-in-1 child car seats can be used in both rear-facing and forward-facing positions with the internal harness, adhering to the maximum limits indicated in the child safety seat manual. When the child reaches the weight limit of the harness or their shoulders are above the top harness slots, remove the harness and use the seat as a booster with a lap AND shoulder belt.

Safety Tips

• Please keep your child rear-facing until they reach the top height or weight limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing child car seat, they are ready to transition to a forward-facing child car seat with a harness. They will use it until they reach the highest weight, height, or shoulder height limit allowed by the manufacturer.
• The harness straps in the child safety seat should be passed through the openings near or just above the top of the child's shoulders. In most convertible seats, the top openings must be used when the child is forward-facing. However, on forward-facing only seats or combination seats, any opening that is at or above the child's shoulders may be used. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Harness straps must lie flat and fit snugly. Pinch the harness at the shoulder; there should be no slack.
• The harness chest clip should be secured at the armpit or nipple level.
• Secure the child safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle.
• The child safety seat should be in the upright position. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions, as some seats are permitted to recline in the forward-facing position.