Why You Should Consider a
Forward Facing Infant Car SeatChildren younger than one year should not ride forward-facing. In the event of a crash, their neck muscles may weaken and be stretched and cause serious injuries.
Instead switch to FF when your child reaches the height or weight maximums of their current seat (or the minimums for a new seat). Make sure you read the car seat instructions.
Safety
Infant car seats are designed to protect the head and neck of your child in the event of an accident. The forward-facing position can also help prevent your baby from hitting their head on the back of the car seat which could cause serious injuries.
All forward-facing infant car seats have five-point harnesses to ensure the child's safety with just one pull, tightening the strap. the shell of the car is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam that provides improved impact protection. Some have an umbrella that protects from the sun.
The
best infant seat infant car seats will include an adjustable angle adjuster and an angle indicator. This allows you to determine the right angle for your child's neck to avoid it falling over in a collision. The seat also has the top tether strap, which comes from the top of the car seat. It then hooks onto the tether anchor in your vehicle. It is important to keep in mind that your child might not need to switch to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight and height that is listed in the instruction manual for the seat you are using.
When your child is 20 pounds and one year old is the right time to make the switch. Children and toddlers younger than one year old have loose, soft muscles in their necks, which can cause whiplash if involved in an accident. They are more prone to suffer serious neck injuries if they travel in a frontal crash (the most frequent and serious type). If children under the age of 1 ride rear-facing, their head is protected by the car seat and protected from sudden movements that could strain their necks.
When children transition to a forward-facing car seat they should use a convertible seat or an all-in-one that has a strong rear-facing weight and height limit. The child should not be moved into an adult booster until they meet the height and age requirements for a high-back or a backless booster, which is typically around the age of 4 or 5 years old. It is evident the difference in these seats when you look at these crash videos, however, remember that the video is slow-motion. If a kid moves too fast, they could be injured.
Comfort
A forward-facing infant car seat keeps your baby safe and comfortable in the event of an accident. The seat comes with a comfortable headrest, a cushion for body support and an EPS energy-absorbing foam shell to protect your child from any impact. The seat also comes with a five-point harness with easy one-pull tightening and a movable front center adjuster that ensures your child is correctly positioned. A retractable sun canopy can protect your child from the sun. To ensure safety, the seat is designed to be locked by the vehicle's seat belt and includes an locking clip that keeps the latch buckle secure when not in use.
If your baby complains of discomfort or appears to slump forward when sleeping it could be because the angle of the car seat is too low. You can remedy this by placing tightly folded towels underneath the front of the car seat to lift it higher. If this doesn't help you can take your child to Rockridge Kids to have us examine the angle of their carseat.
It is vital to keep in mind that children aren't yet ready to face forward until they are at least 20 pounds AND one year old (their necks aren't strong enough yet to withstand a force that is applied to them in a crash if they were to fall forward on their own). Some experts suggest waiting longer, as the bones and muscles of children are more malleable than those of adults.
Many parents choose to purchase convertible car seats that allows their babies to travel rearward-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limits. This lets them enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing car seat longer and is easier for parents as they can simply shift their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position when their child has outgrown it.
The 4Ever Convertible Car Seat from Graco is a convertible 4-in-1 car seat that allows your child to use the seat for up to 10 years. It converts from rear-facing
rotating infant car seat (up to 40 pounds) to a forward-facing harness and high-back seat (30-100 lbs), to a belt-positioning backless seat (40-120 lbs). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to set up. You can move the harness and headrest together without re-threading.
Convenience
A forward-facing infant car seat is an excellent option when you're traveling with a child who is young. This allows you to see your child's face while driving and the other members of your family can enter the car without disturbing your toddler or baby. The car seat can be used in conjunction with strollers making it easier for you to get your child in and out of the car when going to the store or doing other errands.
Even when your child is at the age where they can change their car seat to one that is facing forward it is better to keep them in a rear-facing seat for as long as you can. When you look at it from the standpoint of crash tests, children's head is safer in a frontal crash if they are facing backwards. This is because when they are facing backwards the entire body, including the head, neck and torso, is cradled in the car seat's rear.
It is important to read the instructions of the manufacturer to determine how to change your child's car seat around. They usually have a maximum weight and height limit you shouldn't exceed as well as specific rules for things like crotch buckle position. These limits are intended to protect your child's safety as they grow.
Another thing to consider is if you have an automobile with an anchor for tethering your car seat. If yes, you must ensure that the strap is correctly installed and tied to the vehicle's anchor points according to the instruction in the manual of the seat. The last thing to do is make sure that the shoulder straps of the harness of your child are at or just below their shoulders, and are not too high or low. This will affect how they are restrained during an accident.
A good choice for parents who have several children or are planning to have more children is convertible car seats. It's a convertible car seat that can be used as an
infant car seats best rear-facing car seat, and then changed to a forward-facing seat once your child reaches the height or weight limits of the rear-facing position.
Style
You spent a lot time and effort deciding on the perfect baby car seat for your child. But as they get older and begin to outgrow their car seat for infants, you might be wondering when it's time to flip them around.
Although the idea of having your baby face forward may be thrilling, there are important safety considerations that you should keep in mind. Kids should remain rear facing until they reach the maximum height and weight limit for their particular car seat.
It is important to remember that children differ 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 legroom limit. Children may appear larger in the rear-facing car seat but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's safe to turn around, as their bones and spine haven't fully developed.
It is recommended that you keep your child rear facing until they are at least one year old, and certain infant car seats come with a built-in reminder to keep them there. This is due to the fact that children under one do not have strong enough neck muscles that can withstand a frontal impact which could result in serious spinal injuries.
Many infant car seats aren't just safe, but also easy to use. Some include bases that snap into and out of the car, allowing you to carry your baby from the car to a stroller, and back. They are often part a travel system.
If you are ready to move your child from a rear-facing convertible seat to a forward facing one, make sure you adhere to all the instructions given by the manufacturer. Also, make sure you check the fit of the car seat. If it's installed correctly, the car seat shouldn't move more than 1 inch from side to side or front to back, and the harness straps must be at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have any concerns or questions you should talk to a certified safety technician in your area or call the manufacturer of the car seat.
