Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children under one year should not ride in a forward-facing. In the event of a crash, their neck muscles may weaken and be stretched and cause serious injuries.
Switch to FF instead when your child is at 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 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, which can secure the child by pulling the straps. The shell of the carrier is lined with energy-absorbing EPS to provide better protection against impact. Some have a canopy that provides shade from the sun.
The best infant car seat s will have an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster which allows you to choose the right angle for your child's head to prevent 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 is positioned from the top. It is important to keep in mind that your child may not require switching to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the top weight and height allowed listed in the instruction manual for the seat you're using.
When your child reaches 20 pounds and one year old is the right time to make the switch. Infants and toddlers younger than one year old have soft, loose neck muscles that can cause whiplash when they are in a crash. They are more prone to suffer serious neck injuries if they travel in a frontal collision (the most frequent and serious type). If children under the age of 1 are backwards their head is cushioned by the car seat and shielded from sudden movements that can strain their necks.
If children are moving to a forward-facing car seat, they still need a convertible or an all-in-one that has a high rearward weight and height limit. They shouldn't be moved to an adult car seat until they meet the high back or backless booster age and height requirements for the seat which is usually at around the age of 4 or 5. These crash videos will demonstrate the differences between the two carseats. But remember, the video has been slowed. If a child is moving too fast, they could be injured.
Comfort
A forward-facing infant car seats keeps your child safe and secure 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 has a five-point harness with easy one-pull tightening and an adjustable center front adjuster to ensure your child is correctly positioned. A retractable sun canopy can shield your child from the sun. The seat can be secured to the belts of the vehicle for security. It also has a clip to lock the buckle in place when the seat is not being used.
If your baby complains about discomfort or appears to slump forward while sleeping, it may be because the angle of the car seat is too low. This can be corrected by placing tightly rolled towel under the front of your car seat. If this doesn't help you can take your baby to Rockridge Kids to have us assess the angle of their carseat.
Be aware that children should not face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds and are a year old. Their necks are not strong enough to stand up to the force of a crash, if they were to fall to their front on their own. Some experts suggest staying a bit longer, because the muscles and bones of children are more malleable.
Many parents choose to buy convertible car seats that allows their children to travel rearward-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limits. This allows them to enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing car seat for longer, and makes it more convenient for parents since they can easily move their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position once their child outgrows 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 with high-back booster (30-100 lb) to a backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 lbs). It's easy and simple to install with the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the harness and headrest together, without re-threading.
Convenience
A forward facing infant car seat is a fantastic option when you're traveling with a young child. This lets you see your child as you drive 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 strollers making it much easier to take your child in and out of the car for trips to the store for groceries or other errands.
Even when your child is at the age where they can switch to a car seat that faces forward, it is safer to keep them in a rear-facing position for the duration you can. From the standpoint of crash tests, a child’s head is safer in the event of a crash if they are facing backwards. This is because the entire body -- including the head, neck, and torso is supported by the back of the car seat when they're facing in this direction.
It is important to read the instructions of the manufacturer to determine when you can change the car seat of your child around. They will often have the weight and height limit you should not go over, as well as specific rules for things like crotch buckles. These limits are meant to ensure the safety of your child as they develop.
Another thing to consider is whether you have an automobile with an anchor for tethering your car seat. If so, make sure that the tether is connected to your vehicle's anchor points according to the directions in the manual. 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 can affect how they're restrained during the event of a crash.
A convertible car seat is a good option for parents who have multiple children or who plan to have more children. It's a convertible car seat that can be used as an infant rear-facing car seat, and then changed to a forward facing seat once your child reaches the weight or height limits of the rear-facing position.
Style
You've spent a lot of time and effort in choosing the best baby car seat for your child. But as they get older and begin to outgrow their car seat for infants you may be wondering if it's the right time to change them.
While the idea of having your child face forward is thrilling, there are a few important safety factors to consider. Children should remain rear-facing until they reach their car seat's maximum weight and height limits.
Remember that children vary in size and age. Don't 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 taller in a rear facing car seat, but that doesn't mean it's safe to turn them around. Their spine and bones haven't yet fully developed.
Some infant car seats have an alarm that reminds that your child to remain facing rear until they're at least one year old. This is because children under one year old do not have the strength of their neck muscles to withstand the whiplash of a frontal collision, which could cause 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 out and in to let you carry your baby from stroller to car or back again and often with a frame stroller to form part of an overall travel system.
If you're about to move your child from a rear-facing convertible seat to a forward facing one, make sure you follow all the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Also, make sure you check the fit of the car seat. The car seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or from front to back, when it is installed correctly. The harness straps must also be at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns you should talk to a certified car seat safety technician in your region or contact the car seat manufacturer.