When can your child face forward in the car? Good question. The answer might surprise you: your child must be at least one-year-old and weigh at least 20 pounds. However, the experts suggest that children ride rear-facing to the highest weight and/or height allowed by the car safety seat’s manufacturer.

If your little one is old enough and big enough to ride face-forward, there are 5 types of car safety seats that can be used. The AAP has provided the following descriptions of forward-facing seats that can be used…with care, of course!

• Convertible seats- “convert” form rear-facing to forward-facing seats
• Forward-facing toddler seats-can be used forward-facing with a harness for children who weigh up to 40 to 80 pounds (depending on the model)
• Combination forward-facing/booster seats-can be used forward-facing with a harness for kids who weigh up to 40 to 65 pounds (depending on the model) or without a harness as a booster (up to 80 to 100 pounds)
• Built-in seats-some vehicles have forward-facing seats built-in; weight and height limits vary; check with the car manufacturer
• Travel vests-can be worn by kids between 20 and 168 pounds and can be an alternative to traditional forward-facing seats; useful for when a car has lap-only seat belts in the rear.