Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children under one year are NOT supposed to ride forward-facing. In the event of a crash, their weak neck muscles can stretch and cause serious injury.
Switch to FF instead of FF once your child is at the maximum weight of their current seat or height (or the minimum required for a new car seat). Check the instructions for your car seat carefully.
Safety
In the event of a crash, infant car seats are designed to protect the neck and head of your child. The forward-facing position can also prevent your child from crashing their head against the hard back of the car seat which could cause serious injuries.
All infant car seats that face forward have five point harnesses that secure the child with one pull, tightening the strap. the shell of the car is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam to provide improved protection against impact. Some also have a canopy to provide shade from the sun.
The best infant car seats will have an adjustable angle adjuster and an angle indicator. This allows you to set the correct angle for your child’s neck in order to stop it from slipping over in collisions. The top tether strap is connected to the tether anchor of the vehicle and extends from the top. Be aware that you might not have to change your child’s seat to a forward-facing car seat until is at the maximum weight and height specified in the manual for the seat.
It’s the time to switch to a different model when your child is 20 pounds and one year old. 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 likely to suffer serious neck injuries when they are in a frontal crash (the most common and severe type). When kids under 1 year are in a rear-facing car seat, their head is cushioned by the car seat and shielded from sudden movements that can cause neck strain.
When children transition to a forward-facing car seat, they should still use a convertible or an all-in-one car seat with a high rear-facing weight and height limit. They shouldn’t be moved to a booster seat until they meet the high back or backless booster age and height requirements for the seat which is usually around age 4 or 5. You can notice the differences in these seats when you watch these crash videos but remember that the footage is reduced in speed. Children can be injured in the event that they move too fast.
Comfort
A forward-facing infant car seats keeps your baby safe and comfortable during an accident. The seat features a soft headrest, a body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing foam to protect your child from a collision. The seat comes with a five-point safety harness that can be adjusted with only one pull, and a center-front adjuster. This will ensure that your child is properly positioned. A retractable sun canopy helps protect your child from the sun. The seat can be secured to the vehicle seat belt for security. It also comes with a locking clip which keeps the latch buckle fastened when the seat is not being used.
If your infant complains of discomfort during a trip or seems to slump forward when they sleep, the angle of the seat might be too low for them. You can remedy this by placing tightly folded towels on the front of the car seat to lift it up more. If this isn’t working, bring your child to Rockridge Kids and we will test the angle of the car seat.
Remember that children should not face forward until they weigh at minimum 20 pounds and are a year old. Their necks are still not strong enough to stand up to the force of a crash in the event that they be thrown to the side on their own. Some experts recommend waiting longer as the bones and muscles of young children are more malleable.
Many parents opt to purchase a convertible car seat which allows their infants to travel rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of the seat. This allows them to enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing car seat for much longer and is more convenient for parents since they can simply shift their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing one when their child has outgrown it.
The Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat gives your child 10 years of car seat use with just one seat, ranging from rear-facing infant (4-40 lb) to forward-facing 5-point harness with high-back booster (30-100 lb) to a belt-positioning booster that is backless (40-120 lbs). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to put in. You can move the headrest and harness together without having to re-thread.
Convenience
A forward-facing infant car seats that swivel car seat is a great option when you’re traveling with a young child. It allows you to watch your child’s face while driving and the rest of your family can get into the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. This type of car seat can be used with a stroller, making it easier to carry your toddler in and out of your car to go to the store for groceries or other chores.
Even even if your child is the age at which they can change to a car seat that is facing forward it is best to keep them in a rear-facing position the duration you can. If you view it from the standpoint of crash test results, a child’s head is safer in a frontal collision when they are facing backwards. This is because when they are facing backwards the entire body, including the neck, head and torso is held in the rear of the car seat.
You’ll want to check the instructions of the manufacturer to determine how to turn your child’s car seat around. You’ll find that they have an upper and lower limit, as well as specific rules about things like the crotch strap’s position. These guidelines are designed to protect your child as they develop.
It is also important to consider whether your vehicle comes with tether anchors. If yes, you must make sure that the strap is correctly installed and secured to the anchor points of your vehicle as per the instructions in the manual for your seat. Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that the shoulder straps of your harness are just above the shoulders of your child and not too high or low because this can affect the way they are secured in the event of the event of a crash.
A convertible car seat is a great option for parents with several children or who are planning to have more. This is an all-in-one car seat that can start off being used as a rear-facing infant car seats that swivel car seat and then transition your child to a forward-facing seat once they are old enough and have reached the weight or height limit of the rear-facing position in the car seat.
Style
The baby car seat was a must-have for your baby and you spent many hours deciding the right one. However, as they age and start outgrowing their infant car seat, 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 aspects to be aware of. Kids should remain rear facing until they reach the maximum height and weight limit for their particular car seat.
Be aware that children differ in terms of size and age. You shouldn’t base your decision on a certain date on the calendar or if you think that they have reached their maximum amount of legroom. It may appear that a child is larger in a rear facing car seat, but that does not mean that it’s safe to turn them around. Their spine and bones haven’t yet fully developed.
It is recommended to keep your child rear facing until they are at least one year old, and some infant car seats come with an integrated reminder to keep them there. 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.
Many infant car seats are not just secure, but also simple to use. These include bases that remain attached to the car and snap out and in to allow you to carry your child from car to stroller or back to the car, and they often pair with a frame stroller as part of an overall travel system.
If you’re ready to move your baby to forward-facing convertible car seats make sure you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and examining the car seat for tightness. If it’s installed correctly, the car seat shouldn’t move more than one inch 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 any questions or concerns regarding the installation of your car seat, you can contact an accredited safety technician in your area or the manufacturer of your car seat.