Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children under one year are not allowed to ride forward-facing. In the event of a crash neck muscles may 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 required for a new seat). Please review your instructions for the car seat.

Safety

Car seats for infants are designed to safeguard the neck and head of your child in the event of an accident. The forward facing position can assist in preventing your child from hitting their head on the back of the car 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. Additionally, the shell of the car seat is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam to provide enhanced protection from impact. Some models have a canopy that provides shade from the sun.

The most effective infant car seats have an adjustable angle adjuster and an angle indicator. This lets you choose the ideal angle for your child's neck in order to stop it from slipping over in a collision. The seat also has an upper tether strap that comes from the top of the car seat. It then hooks onto the tether anchor inside your vehicle. It's important to keep it in mind that your child may 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're using.

When your child is 20 lbs and one year, it's time to change. Babies and toddlers under one year old have loose, soft neck muscles that can cause whiplash when they are in the event of a crash. They are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries when they travel in a frontal crash (the most common and severe type). When kids under 1 year are riding in a rear-facing car seat their heads are cushioned by the car seat, and protected from sudden movements that can cause neck strain.

If children are moving to a forward-facing car seat they should still use a convertible seat or an all-in-one that has a high rear-facing weight and height limit. They should not be moved to an adult car seat until they meet the high back or backless booster age and height requirements for the seat typically at around the age of 4 or 5. These crash videos will help you understand the differences between carseats. But remember, the video has been slowed down. A child can be injured in the event that they move too fast.

Comfort

A forward-facing infant car seat will keep your baby safe and comfortable during an accident. The seat comes with a soft headrest and a body support cushion as well as an EPS energy-absorbing shell that helps ensure your child is safe from any impacts. The seat comes with a five-point safety harness that can be tightened by only one pull, and a center-front adjuster. This will ensure that your child is positioned correctly. A retractable canopy protects your child from direct sunlight. The seat can be locked to the belts of the vehicle to ensure security. It also comes with a locking clip which keeps the buckle secure even when the seat isn't in use.

If your baby complains of discomfort or appears to be slouching forward during sleep it could be because the angle of the car seat is too low. This can be corrected by placing a towel that is tightly folded on the front of your car seat. If this still doesn't help you can take your child to Rockridge Kids to have us assess the angle of their car seat.

Remember that children should not face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds and are one year old. Their necks are still not strong enough to take the force of a collision, if they were to fall to their front on their own. Some experts suggest staying a bit longer, since the muscles and bones of children are more flexible.

Many parents choose to purchase a convertible car seat that lets their infants travel rearward-facing until they reach maximum weight or height limits. This allows them to enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing best car seats infant seat for much longer, and makes it easier for parents as they can simply move their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position when their child is no longer in the position.

The Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat gives your child 10 years of car seat usage with just one seat, from rear-facing infant car seats that swivel (4-40 lbs) to forward-facing 5-point harness and high-back booster (30-100 lb) to a backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 lb). It's simple and easy to install with the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the headrest and harness in tandem, without having to re-thread.

Convenience

A forward facing infant car seat is an excellent option for traveling with a toddler. It allows you to watch your child while driving and the rest of your family members can enter the car without disturbing your toddler or baby. This type of car seat can be used with a stroller, making it easier to get your child in and out of your car to go to the supermarket or other chores.

However that even the time your child is old enough to transition to an forward-facing car seat, it's safer to keep them rear-facing the longest time possible. If you view it from the perspective of crash tests, a child's head is more secure in a frontal crash if they are facing backwards. This is because the whole body -- including the head as well as neck and torso -- is cradled by the car seat's back when they face in this direction.

You'll want to check the manufacturer's instructions for how to change the car seat of your child around. There will be a maximum weight and height limit you shouldn't go over as well as specific rules for things like crotch buckles. These limits are designed to safeguard your child as they grow.

Another thing to think about is if you have a vehicle that has tether anchors for your car seat. If so, ensure that the tether strap is properly installed and secured to the vehicle's anchor points as instructed in the seat's 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 can affect how they're secured in the event of a crash.

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

Style

You've put in a lot of time and effort choosing the perfect lightweight baby car seat car seat for your child. As they grow older and start outgrowing their car seat for infants, you may be wondering when it's time to flip them around.

Although the idea of having your baby face forward may be exciting, there are some important safety considerations you should keep in mind. Children should remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight of their car seat and height limits.

Remember that children vary in size and age. Don't base your decision on a specific date on the calendar, or if you believe they have reached their maximum legroom. Children may appear larger in the rear-facing car seat but that doesn't necessarily mean it's safe to turn them around, since their spine and bones aren't fully developed yet.

It is recommended to keep your child rear-facing until they are at least one year old, and some infant car seats have an integrated reminder to keep them there. This is because children under one don't have enough neck muscles that can take a direct hit, which could result in serious spinal injuries.

Many infant car seats that swivel car seats aren't just safe, but they are also simple to use. Some include bases that snap in and out of the car, allowing you to carry your baby from the car to a stroller, and back. They are often part an overall travel system.

If you're ready to move your child's 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 fit of the car seat. When installed properly the car seat shouldn't move more than one inch from side to side or front to back and the harness straps must be at or above your child's shoulders. If you have questions or concerns about the installation of your car seat, you can contact an accredited safety technician in your locality or the car seat manufacturer.