Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children under one year should NOT ride facing forward. In a crash their neck muscles may weaken and stretch and cause serious injuries.

Instead switch to FF when your child reaches the weight or height limits of the seat they are currently in (or the minimums for the new seat). Check the instructions for your car seat carefully.

Safety

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

All infant car seats that face forward have five point harnesses that hold the child in place with just one pull, tightening the strap. the shell of the car is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam that provides enhanced impact protection. Some have a canopy that provides shade from the sun.

The most effective infant car seats come with an adjustable angle adjustment and an angle indicator. This allows you to choose the ideal angle for your child's neck to avoid it falling over in the event of an accident. The top tether strap is attached to the tether anchor on the vehicle and extends from the top. It is important to remember that you may not need to move your child from a forward facing car seat until he or she reaches the maximum weight and height as stated in the manual for the seat.

It's time to change when your child reaches 20 pounds and a year. Infants and toddlers younger than one year old have soft, loose neck muscles which can result in whiplash during a crash. In frontal collisions (the most severe and frequent type), they are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries. If children under the age of 1 ride backwards, their head is cushioned by the Nania Disney Minnie Car Seat for Groups seat and shielded from sudden movements that could stress their necks.

When kids move to an forward-facing car seat they should use a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that has a strong rear-facing weight and a height limit. The child shouldn't be able to move into a booster until they reach the height and age requirements for a Maxi-Cosi RodiFix AirProtect High Back Booster Seat-back booster, which is typically around the age of 4 or 5 years old. These crash videos will help you understand the differences between the carseats. But keep in mind that the footage has been slowed. A child could be injured if they move too quickly.

Comfort

A forward-facing infant car seat will keep your baby safe and comfortable in the event of an accident. The seat features a soft cushion for the headrest and body and an EPS energy-absorbing shell that helps ensure your child is safe from any impacts. The seat also comes with five-point harnesses that are easy to use with one-pull tightening and a movable center front adjuster to ensure your child is properly positioned. A retractable canopy shields your child from sun. The seat can be locked to the vehicle seat belt to ensure security. It also comes with an locking clip that keeps the latch buckle fastened even when the seat isn't in use.

If your infant complains of discomfort while traveling or seems to lean forward during sleep or sleeping, the angle of the seat could be too low for them. This can be fixed by placing tightly rolled towel underneath the front of your car seat. If this does not work, take your baby to Rockridge Kids and we will examine the angle of the car seat.

Keep in mind that children shouldn't face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds and are one year old. Their necks are not strong enough to take the force of a collision in the event that they fall to their front on their own. Some experts suggest waiting longer, as the muscles and bones of children are more malleable than those of adults.

Many parents decide to buy a convertible car seat which allows their infants to be rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit of the seat. This lets them enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing car seat longer, and makes it easier for parents as they can easily move their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing one when their child outgrows it.

The 4Ever Convertible Car Seat from Graco is a 4-in-1 convertible car seat that allows your child to use the seat for up to 10 years. It can be converted from rear-facing infant (up to 40 lbs) to a forward-facing harness and high-back seat (30-100 lb) and then to a backless belt-positioning seat (40-120 lbs). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to set up. You can move the headrest and harness together without having to re-thread.

Convenience

A forward facing infant car seat is a great option if you're traveling with a toddler. It allows you to watch your child as you drive and the rest of your family members can enter the car seat newborn without disrupting your baby or toddler. The type of car seat can be used with strollers which makes it easier for you to get your child in and out of the vehicle while you are at the grocery store or doing other errands.

However that even when your child is old enough to move to a forward-facing car seat it's safer to keep them rear-facing for as long as is possible. When you look at it from the perspective of crash tests, a child's head is more secure in a frontal collision when they are facing backwards. This is because when facing backwards the entire body including the head, neck and torso, is cradled in the car seat's rear.

Check the instructions of the manufacturer to see the time you can rotate your child's seat. They will often have an upper weight and height limit you should not go over, as well as specific rules for things like crotch buckle position. These limits are meant to ensure the safety of your child as they grow.

You should also consider whether your vehicle is equipped with tether anchors. If so, make sure that the tether strap is properly installed and secured to the vehicle's anchor points according to the instruction in the manual for your seat. Also, you should ensure that the harness shoulder straps are at or just above your child's shoulders and not too low or high because this can impact how well they're restrained in an accident.

A good choice for parents with several children or are planning to have more is a convertible car seat. This is a complete car seat that can start by being an infant car seat that faces rearwards, then move your child to a forward-facing position when they are old enough and have reached the weight or height limit for the rear-facing car seat.

Style

The infant car seat was a must-have item for your little one, and you spent a lot of time choosing the best one. As your child gets older and outgrows their infant car seat you may wonder if it is time to flip the seat around.

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

Remember that children vary in terms of size and age. Don't base your decision on a specific date on the calendar or if you think that they have reached their maximum legroom. It might appear that a child is bigger in a rear-facing car seat, however this doesn't mean that it's safe to turn them around. Their spine and bones haven't yet fully developed.

It is recommended that you keep your child facing rearwards until they reach one year old. some infant car seats come with an inbuilt reminder to ensure they remain there. This is because children under one don't have enough neck muscles to withstand a frontal impact that could cause serious spinal injuries.

In addition to being safe in addition to being safe, many infant car seats are equipped with practical features that make them simple to use. Some of these include bases that snap into and out of the car and allow you to transport your baby from the car to a stroller, and back. They are typically part of an overall travel system.

If you're ready to move your child to forward-facing convertible car seats make sure you follow the manufacturer's guidelines and then examining the car seat for tightness. If it's installed correctly the car seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or from front to back, and the harness straps should be placed at or above your child's shoulders. If you have questions or concerns about the fitting of your car seat, you can contact an accredited safety technician in your locality or the manufacturer of the car seat.