Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children under one year are not allowed to ride in a forward-facing. In the event of a crash, their neck muscles may weaken and be stretched and cause serious injuries.
Instead change to FF at the time your child reaches the height or weight maximums of the seat they are currently in (or the minimums for a new seat). Read infant car seat that swivels .
Safety
Infant car seats are made to protect the neck and head of your child in the event of an accident. The forward-facing position could also prevent your child from hitting their head on the back of the car seat, which could result in serious injuries.
All infant car seats that face forward have five point harnesses that secure the child with one pull tightening. Additionally, the carrier shell is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam to provide improved impact protection. Some models also come with an umbrella to protect from the sun.
The most effective infant car seats include an adjustable angle adjuster and an angle indicator. This allows you to determine the right angle for your child's neck to prevent it from flopping over in an accident. The top tether strap is connected to the tether anchor of the vehicle and extends from the top. It is important to remember that you may not need to change your child's seat to a forward-facing car seat until he / she reaches the maximum weight and height as stated in the manual of the seat.
When your child reaches 20 pounds and one year old is over, it's time to change. Infants and toddlers younger than one year old have loose, soft neck muscles which can result in whiplash during the event of a crash. They are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries if they travel in a frontal crash (the most frequent and serious type). When children younger than 1 year are rear-facing their heads are protected by the car seat, and protected from sudden movements that could cause neck strain.
When children transition to a forward-facing car seat they should remain in a convertible or all-in-one seat that has a high rear-facing weight and height limit. They should not be moved to a booster seat until they meet the high back or backless booster seat age and height requirements typically around age 4 or 5. You can see the difference in these car seats when you look at these crash videos, but remember that the footage is slowed down. A child could be injured if they move too quickly.
Comfort
A forward-facing infant car seat keeps your child safe and secure in the event of an accident. The seat has a comfortable headrest and a body support cushion as well as an EPS energy-absorbing cover to shield your child from the collision. The seat has five points of safety harness that can be tightened with one pull and a center front adjuster. This will ensure your child is positioned correctly. A retractable sun canopy can shield your baby from the sun. To ensure safety, the seat is designed to be secured with the vehicle's seat belt and comes with a locking clip that keeps the buckle securely fastened when not in use.
If your child is complaining of discomfort while traveling or appears to slouch forward when they sleep, the seat's angle might be too low for the child. You can remedy this by placing tightly rolled towels under the front of the car seat to raise it up more. If this doesn't work, you can bring your child to Rockridge Kids and we will examine the angle of the car seat.
It is important to remember that children are not ready to face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds AND one year old (their necks are not strong enough yet to withstand a force that would be applied to them by a collision if they were to fall forward on their own). Some experts suggest waiting longer, because the bones and muscles of children are more flexible than those of adults.
Many parents choose to buy a convertible car seat that lets their infants travel rearward-facing until they reach maximum weight or height limits. This allows them to benefit from the advantages of a rear-facing car seat longer, and makes it more convenient for parents since they can simply shift their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing one when their child outgrows it.
The Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat offers your child 10 years of car seat usage with just one seat, from rear-facing infant (4-40 lbs) to forward-facing 5-point harness and high-back booster (30-100 lb) to backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 lb). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to put in. You can move the harness and headrest together without the need to re-thread.
Convenience
A forward facing infant car seat is an excellent option for traveling with a toddler. It lets you view your child's face while driving and allows everyone else in the family to ride in the car without disturbing your infant or toddler. This type of car seats can be used with strollers making it easier for you to get your child into and out of the car when you go to the shop or running chores.
However that even the time your child is old enough to move to a forward-facing car seat, it's better to keep them rear-facing for as long as possible. If you view it from the perspective of crash tests, a child's head is safer in a frontal crash if they are facing backwards. This is because the entire body -- including the head, neck, and torso -- is cradled by the back of the car seat when they are facing in this direction.
You'll want to check the instructions of the manufacturer to determine when you can turn your child's car seat around. There will be the weight and height limit that you shouldn't exceed as well as specific rules regarding things like the crotch buckle's position. These limits are intended to ensure your child's safety as they grow.
Another thing to think about is if you have an automobile with Tether anchors for your car seat. If so, make sure that the tether is fitted and connected to your vehicle's anchor points as per the instructions in the manual. Last but not least, make sure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are at or just below their shoulders, but not too low or high. This will affect how they are secured during a crash.
An excellent option for parents who have more than one child or plan to have more children is a convertible car seat. It is a one-stop car seat that starts with a rear-facing infant car seat before moving your child to a forward-facing position once they are old enough and have reached the weight or height limit for the rear-facing position of the car seat.
Style
You've put in a lot of time and effort deciding on the perfect baby car seat for your child. As your child gets older and outgrows their infant car seat, you might wonder if it's time to flip the seat around.
Although the idea of having your baby face forward may be thrilling, there are important safety considerations you must keep in mind. Children should be rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight of their car seat and height limits.
Be aware that children differ in size and age. You shouldn't base your decision on a specific date on the calendar, or if you think they have reached their maximum legroom. A child might appear larger in a rear-facing car seat, however, that doesn't mean that it's safe to turn them around, since their bones and spine haven't fully developed.
Some infant car seats have an alarm built-in to remind you to keep your child rear-facing until they're at least one year old. This is because children younger than one do not have strong enough neck muscles that can be able to withstand a collision with a frontal force which could result in serious spinal injuries.
Many infant car seats aren't just safe, but they are also simple to use. They include bases that are connected to the car and snap in and out to allow you to carry your baby from stroller to car or back and often with a frame stroller as part of an overall travel system.
If you're about to switch your baby from a rear-facing convertible seat to a forward facing one, be sure to follow all the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Also, make sure you check the fit of the car seat. The car seat shouldn't move more than one inch from side to side or front to rear, when properly installed. The harness straps should also be at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns ask a certified safety technician in your region or contact the manufacturer of the car seat.