Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children under the age of one year shouldn't ride facing towards the forward. In a crash their weak neck muscles could be stretched and cause serious injuries.
Instead, switch to FF when your child is at the weight or height limits of the seat they are currently in (or the minimums for the new seat). Check the instructions for your car seat carefully.
Safety
In the case of a collision, infant car seats are designed to protect the neck and head of your child. The forward-facing position can also prevent your child from hitting their head on the hard back of the car seat, which could cause serious injuries.
All infant seats with a forward-facing feature five-point harnesses that secure the child by simply pulling the straps. The shell of the carrier is lined in energy-absorbing foam EPS to provide better protection against impact. Some models also come with an umbrella to protect from the sun.
The best infant car seats will include an angle indicator as well as an adjustable angle adjuster that allows you to choose the right angle for your child's head to stop the car seat from slipping over in the event of a collision. The top tether strap is connected to the tether anchor on the vehicle and extends from the top. Be aware that you might not have to change your child's seat to a forward-facing car seat until he or she reaches the maximum weight and height specified in the manual for the seat.
When your child reaches 20 pounds and one year old is over, it's time to make the switch. Children and toddlers younger than one year old have loose, soft muscles in their necks, which can cause whiplash when they are involved in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most serious and frequent kind), they are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries. If children under the age of 1 are riding in a rear-facing car seat, their head is protected by the car seat, and protected from sudden movements that can cause neck strain.
When children transition to a forward-facing car seat they should use a convertible or an all-in-one car seat with a high rear-facing weight and height limit. They shouldn't be moved to a booster seat until they reach the high back or backless booster seat age and height requirements which is usually around age 4 or 5. These crash videos will show you the differences between the carseats. But keep in mind that the footage has been slowed. A child could be injured when they move too fast.
Comfort
A forward-facing infant car seat will keep your child safe and comfortable in the event of an accident. The seat comes with a soft headrest and a body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing cover to protect your child from impacts. The seat also features five-point harnesses with simple one-pull tightening, and an adjustable front center adjuster that ensures your child is in the right position. A retractable canopy protects your child from direct sunlight. For safety, the seat is designed to be locked by the vehicle's seat belt and includes an locking clip that keeps the latch buckle securely fastened when not in use.
If your baby complains about discomfort or appears to be slouching forward while sleeping it could be because the angle of the car seat is too low. This can be corrected by placing tightly rolled towel on the front of your car seat. If this doesn't work then you can bring your baby to Rockridge Kids to have us examine the angle of their car seat.
Be aware that children should not face forward until they weigh at minimum 20 pounds and are one year old. car seat for newborn are still not strong enough to withstand the force of a collision in the event that they fall forward on their own. Some experts suggest taking longer to wait since the bones and muscles of young children are more flexible.
Many parents choose to purchase convertible car seats that lets their infants travel rearward-facing until they reach maximum weight or height limits. This lets parents enjoy the benefits a rear-facing seat for a longer amount of time. It also makes it easier for parents as they can easily change their child's seat from rear-facing to forward-facing as the child grows out of it.
The Graco 4Ever Convertible Car Seat offers your child 10 years of car seat use in just one seat, ranging from rear-facing infant (4-40 lbs) to forward-facing 5-point harness and high back booster (30-100 lb) to a belt-positioning booster that is backless (40-120 lbs). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to install. You can move the headrest and harness together without re-threading.
Convenience
A forward-facing infant car seat is a great option if you're traveling with a toddler. It lets you view your child's face while driving and allows all of your family members to ride in the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. The car seat can be used in conjunction with strollers making it much easier to get your child in and out of the car while you are at the grocery store or running other errands.
But that even if your child is old enough to move to a forward-facing car seat, it's safer to keep them rear-facing as long as is possible. If you view it from the perspective of crash tests, a child's head is more secure in a frontal collision when they are facing backwards. This is due to the fact that the entire body -- head as well as neck and torso -- is cradled by the back of the car seat when they face in this direction.
You should check the instructions provided by the manufacturer on how to change your child's car seat around. They will often have the weight and height limit you shouldn't exceed as well as specific rules regarding things like crotch buckle position. These restrictions are designed to ensure your child's safety as they develop.
It is also important to consider whether your vehicle is equipped with anchors for tethers. If so, make sure that the tether is correctly installed and tied to the anchor points of your vehicle according to the instructions in the manual. Last but not least, make sure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are on or just below their shoulders, and are not too low or high. This will affect how they are secured during the event of a crash.
A convertible car seat is a good option for parents with several children or who are planning to have more children. This is an all-in-one car seat that starts with a rear-facing infant car seat before moving your child to a forward-facing position when they are old enough and have reached the weight or height limit for the rear-facing car seat.
Style
The baby car seat was a must-have item for your child and you've spent many hours deciding the best one. As your child grows older and outgrows their infant car seat, you might be wondering if it's time to flip the seat around.
While the idea of letting your baby face forward may be exciting, there are some important safety considerations that you should keep in mind. Kids should remain in the rear until they reach the maximum height and weight limits for their specific car seat.
Be aware that children are very different in size and age, therefore, you shouldn't decide the decision to change to a forward-facing car seat on some specific date on the calendar or if they've reached their maximum legroom. It might appear that a child is taller in a rear facing car seat, but that does not mean that it's safe to turn the child around. Their spine and bones haven't yet fully developed.
It is recommended to keep your child rear facing until they reach one year old. some infant car seats have a built-in reminder to ensure they remain there. This is due to the fact that children younger than one year old don't have enough neck muscles to withstand the whiplash of a frontal collision, which could cause serious spinal injuries.
Many infant car seats are not only safe, but they are also simple to use. They include bases that are connected to the car and snap out and in to allow you to carry your baby from car to stroller or back again and often with a frame stroller to form part of a travel system.
If you are ready to move your child from a rear-facing convertible seat to a forward facing one, ensure that you adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Also, make sure you check the tightness of your car seat. The car seat shouldn't move more than one inch from side to side, or front to rear, when installed correctly. The harness straps must be placed over the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns ask a certified car seat safety technician in your area or call the manufacturer of your car seat.