Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children younger than one year are NOT supposed to ride forward-facing. In the event of a crash, their weak neck muscles can stretch and cause serious injuries.

Instead switch to FF when your child is at the height or weight maximums of their current seat (or the minimums required for the new seat). Follow the directions for your car seat carefully.

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 hard back of the car seat, which could 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. Additionally, the shell of the car is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for improved protection against impact. Some models also come with a canopy to provide shade from the sun.

The best car seats for newborns infant car seats will include an adjustable angle adjuster and an angle indicator. This lets you set the correct angle for your child's neck to prevent it from flopping over in the event of a collision. The top tether strap connects to the tether anchor on the vehicle and comes from the top. Be aware that you might not have 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 for the seat.

When your child is 20 lbs and one year is over, it's time to change. Infants and toddlers younger than one year have soft, loose muscles in their necks that can cause whiplash when they are involved in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most severe and frequent kind) they are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries. Rear-facing car seats protect the necks of infants under one year old by cushioning their heads.

When children move to a forward facing car seat, they need a convertible or an all-in-one that has a high rearward weight and height limit. They shouldn't be pushed to an adult car seat until they meet the high back or backless booster age and height requirements for the seat, which usually means about age 4 or 5. These crash videos will show you the differences between carseats. But keep in mind that the video is slowed down. If a child is moving too fast, they may be injured.

Comfort

A forward-facing infant car seat will keep your child safe and secure during an accident. The seat has a soft headrest, body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing foam shell that will keep your child safe from impact. The seat comes with a five-point safety harness that can be tightened with a single pull and a center front adjuster. This will ensure your child is properly positioned. A retractable sun canopy will protect your child from the sun. The seat can be secured to the seat belt of your vehicle for safety. It also includes a locking clip which keeps the buckle secure even when the seat isn't being used.

If your baby complains about discomfort or seems to slump forward while sleeping 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 under the front of your car seat. If this doesn't help you can take your baby to Rockridge Kids to have us examine the angle of their car seat.

Be aware that children should not face forward until they weigh at 20 pounds and are one year old. Their necks are 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 suggest waiting longer, since the muscles and bones of young children are more flexible than those of adults.

Many parents opt to purchase a convertible car seat that allows their children to travel rearward-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limits. This allows parents to benefit from the advantages of a rear-facing seat for a longer period of time. It is also easier for parents as they can easily switch their child's position from forward-facing to rear-facing when the child grows out of it.

The Graco 4Ever 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 a backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 lbs). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to put in. You can move the headrest and harness together without the need to re-thread.

Convenience

If you're traveling with a young baby, a forward-facing infant car seat can be a great choice. This allows you to see your child's face while driving and the rest of your family can get into the car without disturbing your toddler or baby. This type of car seat can be used with a stroller making it much easier to get your toddler in and out of the car for trips to the supermarket or other chores.

Even if your child has reached the age that they are able to switch to a car seat that faces forward it is better 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 crash when they are facing backwards. This is because the whole body -- including the head as well as neck and torso -- is cradled by the seat's back when they're facing in this direction.

Check the instructions of the manufacturer to see when you can rotate your child's seat. They usually have a maximum weight and height limit that you shouldn't exceed and also specific rules regarding things like crotch buckles. These limits are designed to safeguard your child as they develop.

Another thing to think about is if you have a vehicle with Tether anchors for your car seat. If so, make sure that the tether is correctly connected to the anchor points on your vehicle according to the instructions in the manual. Also, you should make sure that the harness shoulder straps are at or just above your child's shoulders and not too high or low, as this will affect how well they are secured in the event of an accident.

An excellent option for parents who have more than one child or plan to have more is convertible newborn car seat seats. It is a convertible car seat that can be used as a rear-facing infant car seat and then converted to a forward-facing car seat when your child reaches the height or weight limits of the rear-facing position.

Style

The baby car seat was a must for your child, and you spent many hours deciding the best car seats one. However, as they age and begin to outgrow their car seat for infants, you might be wondering when it's time to switch them around.

While the idea of having your child face forward can be thrilling, there are important safety considerations you should be aware of. Kids should remain in the rear until they reach the maximum height and weight limits for their particular car seat.

Keep in mind that children vary in size and age. Don't base your decision solely on a particular date on the calendar, or if you think they have reached their maximum amount of legroom. It may seem that a child is taller in a rear-facing car seat, however this doesn't mean it is safe to turn them around. Their spine and bones haven't yet fully developed.

Some infant car seats have a built-in alarm to remind that your child to remain facing rear until they're at least one year old. This is due to the fact that children under one year old do not have enough neck muscles that can take a direct hit, which could result in serious spinal injuries.

In addition to being secure in addition to being safe, many infant car seat rear facing car seats have useful features that make them easy to use. Some include bases that snap into and out of the car which allows you to take your child from the car to a stroller, and back. They are typically part of the travel system.

If you're about to switch your child's rear-facing convertible seat to a forward facing one, be sure to adhere to all the instructions given by the manufacturer. Also, make sure you check the tightness of your car seat. The car seat shouldn't move more than an inch from side to side or from front to back, when properly installed. The harness straps should be placed over the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns about the installation of your car seat, contact an approved safety technician in your community or the manufacturer of your car seat.