Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children under one year shouldn't ride facing forward. In the event of a crash, their weak neck muscles could stretch and cause serious injuries.

Switch to FF instead of FF when your child reaches their current seat's maximum weight or height (or the minimum required for the new car seat). Follow the directions for your car seat carefully.

Safety

In the event of a crash infant car seats are designed to protect your child's neck and head. The forward-facing position also helps prevent your child from slamming their head against the back of the seat, which could cause serious injuries.

All forward-facing infant car seats come with five-point harnesses that hold the child in place with just one pull, tightening the strap. the carrier shell is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for improved protection from impact. Some have a canopy to provide shade from the sun.

The best car seat for newborn infant car seats will feature an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster which lets you choose the right angle for your child's head to stop the car seat from slipping over in a collision. The top tether strap connects to the tether anchor of the vehicle and comes from the top. Be aware that you may not need to change your child's seat to a forward facing car seat until he / is at the maximum weight and height listed in the manual for the seat.

It's the time to switch to a different model when your child reaches 20 pounds and one year old. Toddlers and babies under one year old have soft, loose neck muscles that can cause whiplash in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most severe and frequent kind) they are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries. Rear-facing car seats shield the necks of infants under one year old by cushioning their heads.

When kids move to a forward-facing car seat they should remain in a convertible or an all-in-one car seat with a high rear-facing weight and a height limit. The child shouldn't be placed in an adult booster until they meet the height and age requirements for a high-back or backless booster, which is typically between 4 and 5 years old. You can see the difference in these seats when you watch these crash videos, however, remember that the video is slowed down. If a child is moving too fast, they may be injured.

Comfort

A forward facing infant car seat allows your baby to enjoy a comfortable ride and stay secure during a crash. The seat has a comfortable headrest and body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing shell that helps shield your child from the impact. The seat is equipped with a five-point safety harness which can be adjusted with a single pull and a front-center adjuster. This will ensure your child is positioned correctly. A retractable sun canopy will shield your baby from the sun. For safety the seat is designed to be secured with the vehicle's seat belt and has an adjustable clip that holds the latch buckle securely fastened when not in use.

If your child complains of discomfort during a journey or seems to lean forward when sleeping the angle of the seat could be too low for the child. This can be fixed by placing a towel that is tightly folded under the front of your car seat. If this does not work, bring your child to Rockridge Kids and we will test the angle of the car seat.

It is important to remember that children aren't yet ready to face forward until they weigh at minimum 20 pounds and one year old (their necks aren't strong enough to withstand the force applied to them in a crash if they were to fall forward on their own). Some experts suggest waiting longer, because the muscles and bones of young children are more malleable than those of adults.

Many parents opt to purchase a convertible car seat that allows their babies to move rearwards until they reach maximum weight or height limits. This allows parents to enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing seat for a longer period of time. It is also easier for them as they can easily change their child's position from rear-facing to forward-facing when their child is out of it.

The Graco 4Ever Convertible car seat is a 4-in-1 convertible car seat that allows your child to use the seat for 10 years. It can be converted from a rear-facing infant (up to 40 pounds) to forward-facing harness and high-back seats (30-100 lbs), to a belt-positioning backless seat (40-120 lbs). It's simple and easy to install with the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the headrest and harness together, without re-threading.

Convenience

A forward facing infant car seat is a fantastic option when you're traveling with a child who is young. This lets you see your child's face while driving and the other members of your family can enter the car without disrupting your baby or toddler. The car seat can be used with strollers, making it easier to get your child in and out of the car while you are at the grocery store or running other errands.

Even when your child is at the age at which they can change to a car seat that is forward-facing it is best car seat to keep them in a rear-facing seat for the duration you can. When you consider it from the standpoint of crash tests, a child's head is more secure in a frontal crash when they are facing backwards. This is because the whole body -- including the head neck, torso, and head -- is cradled by the seat's back when they face in this direction.

Read the instruction manual of the manufacturer to determine when you can rotate your child's seat. You'll find that they have the maximum height and weight limit, as well specific rules about things like the crotch strap's location. These rules are designed to safeguard your child as they grow.

You should also consider whether your vehicle comes with Tether anchors. If so, make sure that the tether is installed and tied to the anchor points of your vehicle according to the directions in the manual. Also, you should make sure that the shoulder straps of your harness are at or just above the shoulders of your child and not too high or low, as this will impact how well they're secured in the event of a crash.

A convertible car seat is a smart option for parents with several children or who are planning to have more children. It's a convertible car seat that can be used as a rear-facing infant car seat and then converted to a forward-facing car seat once your child has reached the weight or height limits of the rear-facing position.

Style

The car seat for your baby was a must-have item for your child and you've spent a lot of time choosing the best one. As your child grows and outgrows their infant car seat swivel car seat, you may wonder if it is time to turn the seat around.

While the idea of facing your child forward is exciting, there are some important safety factors to consider. Children should remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight of their car seat and height limitations.

Keep in mind that children vary in size and age. It isn't a good idea to base your decision on a certain date on the calendar or if you think that they have reached their maximum length. It may seem that a child is bigger in a rear-facing car seat, however this doesn't mean it is safe to turn them around. Their spine and bones haven't yet fully developed.

Some infant car seats come with an alarm built-in to remind that your child to remain rear-facing until they're one year old. This is because kids under one don't have strong enough neck muscles to withstand the whiplash of a collision with a car in front, which can result in serious spinal injuries.

In addition to being secure, many infant car seats come with practical features that make them easy to use. These include bases that stay attached to the car and snap out and in to allow you to carry your baby from stroller to car or back to the car and often with a frame stroller to form part of a travel system.

If you are ready to transition your baby from a rear-facing convertible seat to a forward facing one, be sure to adhere to all the instructions given by the manufacturer and check the fit of the car seat. The car seat shouldn't move more than one inch from side to side or from front to back, when properly installed. The harness straps must be placed at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the installation of your car seat, contact an approved safety technician in your locality or the manufacturer of your car seat.