Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children under one year shouldn't ride facing forward. In the event of a crash, their weak neck muscles could be stretched and cause serious injuries.

Switch to FF instead when your child is at the weight limit of their current car seat or height (or the minimum for the 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 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 seat that swivels seats with a forward-facing feature five-point harnesses that ensure the child's safety by simply pulling the straps. The carrier shell is lined with energy-absorbing foam EPS to provide better protection against impact. Some models have a canopy that provides shade from the sun.

The most effective infant car seats include an adjustable angle adjuster and an angle indicator. This allows you to set the correct angle for your child's neck to avoid it falling over in collisions. The car seat also comes with the top tether strap, which comes from the top of the car seat and connects onto the tether anchor in your vehicle. It's important to keep in the mind that your child may not require switching to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight and height limit that is stated in the instruction manual for the seat you're using.

It's time to switch when your child weighs 20 pounds and one year. Infants and toddlers younger that one year old have loose, soft muscles in their necks that can cause whiplash if they are involved in an accident. They are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries when they are in a frontal collision (the most frequent and serious type). When children younger than 1 year are backwards, their head is cushioned by the car seat and protected from sudden movements that could cause neck strain.

When kids move to a forward-facing car seat they should still use a convertible or all-in-one seat that has a high rear-facing weight and a height limit. They shouldn't be moved to a booster seat until they reach the high back or backless booster seat age and height requirement typically around age 4 or 5. These crash videos will help you understand the differences between the two carseats. But keep in mind that the footage has been slowed down. A child could be injured if they move too quickly.

Comfort

A forward-facing infant car seat keeps your child safe and secure during an accident. The seat comes with a comfortable headrest, body support cushion, and an EPS energy-absorbing foam shell that will keep your child safe from a collision. The seat also comes with a five-point harness with easy one-pull tightening, and an adjustable front center adjuster that ensures your child is properly positioned. A retractable canopy shields your child from direct sunlight. The seat can be locked to the vehicle seat belt for safety. It also comes with a clip to lock the latch buckle fastened when the seat is not in use.

If your baby complains about discomfort or appears to slump forward when sleeping it could be because the angle of the car seat is too low. You can correct this by putting tightly rolled towels underneath the front of the car seat to lift it higher. If this doesn't work, you can bring your child to Rockridge Kids and we will test the angle of the car seat.

It is vital to keep in mind that children aren't yet ready to take on the world until they weigh at least 20 pounds and one year old (their necks aren't strong enough to withstand the force that is applied to them by a collision should they fall forward on their own). Some experts suggest waiting longer, because the muscles and bones of children are more flexible than those of adults.

Many parents choose to purchase a convertible seat which allows their infants to be rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of the seat. This lets parents enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing seat for a longer period of time. It also makes it easier for them because they can easily change their child's position from rear-facing to forward-facing when the child grows out of it.

The Graco 4Ever Convertible car seat is a convertible 4-in-1 car seat that allows your child to use the seat for 10 years. It converts from rear-facing infant (up to 40 pounds) to a forward-facing harness as well as a high-back seat (30-100 lbs), to a belt-positioning backless seat (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, with no re-threading.

Convenience

When traveling with a young infant, a forward-facing infant carrier seat car seat is the best car seat newborn option. It allows you to see your child's view while driving, and allows everyone else in the family to enter the car without disturbing your infant or toddler. The type of car seat can be used with strollers which makes it much easier to get your child into and out of the vehicle while you are at the grocery store or running other errands.

Even even if your child is the age that they are able to change their car seat to one that is forward-facing, it is safer to keep them in a rear-facing position the duration you can. From the perspective of crash tests, children's head is more secure in the event of a crash if they are facing backwards. This is due to the fact that the entire body -- head neck, torso, and head -- is cradled by the seat's back when they face in this direction.

Check the instructions of the manufacturer to determine when you can rotate your child's seat. You'll find that they have a maximum height and weight limit, and also specific guidelines regarding things like the crotch strap position. These rules are designed to protect your child as they grow.

Another thing to consider is whether you own a vehicle that has tether anchors for your car seat. If yes, you must make sure the strap is correctly 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 the harness of your child are at or below their shoulders, but not too low or high. This can affect how they're restrained during the event of a crash.

A convertible car seat is a great option for parents with more than one child or who intend to have more children. This is a complete car seat that starts off being used as an infant car seat that faces rearwards before moving your child to a forward-facing seat when they are old enough and have reached the weight or height limit for the rear-facing position of the car seat.

Style

You spent a lot time and effort deciding on the perfect baby car seat for your child. As your child grows and outgrows their car seat for infants, you may wonder if it is time to turn the seat around.

While the idea of having your child face forward is exciting, there are several important safety considerations to keep in mind. Children should be rear-facing until they reach their car seat's maximum weight and height limits.

Be aware that children differ in size and age. It isn't a good idea to base your decision solely on a particular date on the calendar, or if you think they have reached their maximum legroom. It may appear that a child is larger in a rear facing car seat, but this does not mean that it's safe to turn the child around. Their spine and bones haven't yet fully developed.

Some infant car seats have an alarm that reminds you to keep your child rear-facing until they're one year old. This is because children under one don't have strong enough neck muscles to withstand the whiplash of a frontal collision, which can cause serious spinal injuries.

Many infant car seats are not only 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 baby from stroller to car or back to the car, and they often pair with a frame stroller to form part of the travel system.

If you're ready to move your baby to a forward-facing convertible car seat make sure you do it correctly by following the manufacturer's guidelines and examining the car seat for tightness. The car seat should not move more than an inch from side to side, or front to rear when it is installed correctly. The harness straps should also be at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have questions or concerns regarding the installation of your car seat, call an approved safety technician in your locality or the manufacturer of your car seat.