Forward Facing Car Seats

Children under four years of age must travel in a harnessed car seat (typeA2/A4/B/G). Once they have outgrown the rear facing height markers on their restraint, they can begin to travel in a forward facing position.  Tidy Riders recommends that where possible, children under the age of 3 years travel in a rear facing position.

 

  • Type A2/B and A4/B car seat's are fully harnessed convertible car seats that offer a rear facing position for infants and smaller children, then convert to a forward facing position until the child outgrows the restraint (around 4 years old).
  • Type B/E and B/F car seats are convertible booster seats that offer a forward facing position and use a 6 point harness until around four years old, then convert to a seatbelt booster. Tidy Riders recommends that children are not transitioned to a seatbelt booster until they are at least 6 years old.
  • Type G car seats offer a fully harnessed forward facing position until a child outgrows the exit height marker. Generally this is estimated to be at around 8 years old, however many children can continue using a type G restraint well beyond 8 years old. Tidy Riders recommends that children remain travelling in a fully harnessed type G restraint until they have out grown the car seat.

Pros

Provides extended usage of a 6 point harness to prevent submarining (sliding under the seatbelt)

More even distribution of force across the body reducing the risk of injury to the head, neck and other vulnerable areas such as the abdomen

It's easier to fasten a harnessed car seat than a seat belt booster when you have multiple seats fitted

Provides increased lateral support compared to a seatbelt booster, enhancing comfortable seating

Cons

Not all vehicles come with an anchor point needed to install a forward facing car seat

More complicated to install than a seatbelt booster, which may be a factor for people who share car seats ie a babysitter or support worker 

May not recline sufficiently in comparison to a rear facing position, which can cause 'head flop'

Forward facing car seats may be heavier than a booster seat so may not be suited for travelling

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should travel in a forward facing position?

Tidy Riders reccomends: Children 3-8 years+.

Legally, a child can travel in a forward facing position from 6 months of age if they reach the required height marker for their restraint. However this is not recommended. 

Tidy Riders recommends that children only be transition to a forward facing position once they have outgrown the rear facing height limitations of an extended rear facing restraint. Restraint manufacurers estimate this to be around 30 months old, however most children will be comfortable rear facing far beyond 30 months.

Most states in Australia require a child to be turned forward facing once they turn 4 years old. A child can continue to travel in a forward facing harnessed car seat until they reach the exit height marker and out grow the seat. Restraint manufacurers estimate this to be around 8 years old, however many children can continue using a harnessed G type restraint beyond 8 years old. 

How do I know if my car seat is suitable for forward facing?

Aside from infant capsules, all restraints in Australia will have a forward facing position. Some will offer extended harnessing, others will convert to a seatbelt booster when the child is around 4 years old.

If you're unsure what type or restraint you have, there are several indicators to look for:

  • Height Markers - The text written on the heigh markers will give you an indication as to whether the restraint is fully harnessed or if it converts to a seatbelt booster.
  • Seatbelt Path Colours - Check the coloured markings on the shell of the seat. Blue=Rear Facing Yellow=Forward Facing. A booster seat will typically have yellow tags or markings to indicate the correct seatbelt path.
  • Sash Guides - A booster seat will have sash guides to help correctly position a seatbelt accross a childs shoulders. This will generally be attached to the bottow of the headrest.

My child seems uncomfortable, what should I do?

If your child is under two years old and is slouching, flopping or just looks uncomfortable when travelling in a forward facing position, they have been transitioned too early. They may not have developed the core strength to give then the lateral support they need to sit upright in a forward facing position.

Most car seat issues are a result of installation or fittment errors. It is important to make continual adjustments to your childs car seat as they grow, and check the installation regularly.

If your unsure, seeking advise from an accredited professional will help you ensure that your car seat is installed properly and that the harness is adjusted correctly.

The harness is hurting my child's shoulders, is it too tight?

Sometimes a harness can cause some discomfort around a child's shoulders and neck. This is usually caused by an uncorrectly adjusted harness, and not overtightening. Here are some tips to avoid this:

  • Ensure the harness is adjusted to the correct height and is not dipping below shoulder height.
  • Avoid clothing that does not cover the shoulders
  • Use the harness shoulder padding that come with your restraint ensuring they sit high on the shoulders and not along the chest

Will I need additional hardware to install my restraint?

In some situations, you may need to use additional hardware in order to achieve a secure installation. This might include gated buckles, top tether extensions, or anchor points.

Your installer will discuss this with you at the time of installation. 

How tightly should I pull the Harness?

As a simple guide, you should be pulling the harness tightly enough that if you were to flip the restraint upsidedown with the child sitting inside, you would be confident the child's body would stay secured within the harness. While this might seem extreme, the restraints job is to keep the child secured in the event your vehicle is involved in a major collision. 

Ask yourself: If my car rolled over, would the harness keep my child in the car seat?

Should I add additional accessories to my restraint?

The short answer is, no. Manufacturers recommend only using the accessories that come with the restraint unless absolutely necessary and only using approved accessories if you do. For example, the "Infasecure Piddle Pad" can be use with most Infasecure restraints. However, it should not be used with restraints not manufacured by Infesecure.

NEVER use aftermarket neck pillows, harness pads, head positioners or other similar accessories. These may impact the correct funtioning of the restraint and could create strangulation or suffocation risks.