Rearward & Forward Facing

Rearward facing is considered safer in the event of a frontal collision. Both rearward and forward-facing options offer safety and practicality for family requirements.

Your child’s journey begins with the rearward facing infant carrier.
Many (rearward facing) infant carriers are suitable from 0 -13kg. Depending on the growth of your child a guideline could be for use between 0-24months. A considerable shift in the market has seen the focus move towards ‘Extended Rearward Facing’ (ERF). Research shows that children travelling rearward facing for longer are statistically safer.

Some child restraint manufacturers produce ERF (extended rearward facing) seats in i-size (R129 Height) and non-i-size (R44 Weight). Both have equal advantages without compromising on safety.

Extended Rear Facing: i-Size (height).

‘360 Swivel’ child restraints in the i-size category can go from birth to 105cm (this could be around 4 years of age). The 360 swivel design offers easy Isofix and support leg installation, as well as using the swivel option for simple in and out……

All swivel seats are not the same! Although installation is similar amongst restraint manufacturers designs and features do vary significantly. It’s very important that you get the right option for your child, your vehicle and the option that you are able to use confidently.

Extended Rearward Facing: R44 (weight)

Under the current R44 regulation, child restraints in this category offer rearward-facing up to 25kg. (This could be around 6 years of age). A fantastic range of seats is available in ERF, as well as a selection offering both rearward & forward-facing simply by changing the direction of the seat. Restraint manufacturers offer guidelines when it comes to seat direction and minimum & maximum weights for your child.

Forward Facing:

Many retailers are still only geared up just to sell forward-facing child seats. The awareness of rearward facing for longer is becoming more apparent and therefore the industry itself is changing to delay forward-facing for as long as possible.
Is forward facing unsafe?

No. However the safest option is to delay forward facing rather than rush to it.

If your child doesn’t know forward-facing, you are at the advantage to keep them rearward facing for longer.