Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children younger than one year should not ride in a forward-facing. In the event of a crash, their neck muscles that are weak could stretch and cause serious injuries.

Instead switch to FF at the time your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit of their current seat (or the minimums required for a new seat). Read your car seat instructions 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 will also 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, and the shell of the car seat inserts for newborns seat is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for improved protection from impact. Some also have a canopy that provides shade from the sun.

The best car seats infant car seats have an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster, that allows you to determine the ideal angle for your child's head in order to prevent the car seat from slipping over in a crash. The seat also comes with an upper tether strap that is attached to the top of the car seat. It then hooks onto the tether anchor inside your vehicle. It's important to keep in mind that your child might not require switching to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight and height that is listed in the instruction manual of the seat you are using.

When your child is 20 lbs and a year old is the right time to make the switch. Infants and toddlers younger than one year have soft, loose muscles in their necks that could cause whiplash if they are involved in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most severe and common type), they are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries. Rear-facing car seats safeguard the necks of infants under one year old by cushioning their head.

When children transition to a forward-facing car seat, they should remain in a convertible seat or an all-in-one with a high rear-facing weight and a height limit. The child should not be moved into the booster seat until they have reached the height and age requirements for a high-back or a backless booster, which is usually around age 4 or 5 years old. These crash videos will demonstrate the differences between carseats. However, keep in mind that the video has been slowed. If a child is moving too quickly, they can be injured.

Comfort

A forward facing infant car seat allows your infant to enjoy a comfortable ride and stay secure during an accident. The seat has a soft headrest, a body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing foam to protect your child from impact. The seat also features a five-point harness with easy one-pull tightening and a movable front center adjuster to ensure your child is properly positioned. A retractable sun canopy can protect your child from the sun. For safety, the seat is designed to lock to the seat belt of your vehicle and includes an locking clip that keeps the latch buckle secure when not in use.

If your child complains of discomfort during a trip or seems to lean forward during sleep, the seat's angle could be too low for them. This can be fixed by placing a tightly rolled towel underneath the front of your car seat. If this still doesn't help then you can bring your baby to Rockridge Kids to have us check the angle of their carseat.

It is vital to keep in mind that children are not ready to take on the world until they weigh at least 20 pounds AND one year old (their necks aren't sturdy enough yet to withstand a force that would be applied to them in a crash in the event of falling forward on their own). Some experts suggest taking longer to wait because the muscles and bones of young children are more malleable.

Many parents opt to purchase convertible car seats that allows their children to move rearwards 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 is more convenient for parents because they can simply shift their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position once their child outgrows it.

The 4Ever Convertible Car Seat from Graco is a four-in-one convertible car seat that lets your child use the seat for 10 years. It converts from rear-facing infant (up to 40 lbs) to forward-facing harness and high-back seats (30-100 lbs) as well as a backless belt-positioning seat (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

A forward facing infant car seat is a great option when you're traveling with a toddler. It lets you see your child's view while driving, and allows the rest of the family to enter the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. This type of car seats can be used in conjunction with strollers which makes it easier to get your child in and out of the vehicle when you go to the store or running other chores.

Even if your child has reached the age where they can change their car seat to one that is facing forward, it is safer to keep them in a rear-facing seat for the duration you can. When you consider it from the perspective of crash test results, a child's head is more secure in a frontal crash if they are facing backwards. This is due to the fact that the entire body -- head, neck, and torso is supported by the back of the car seat when they're facing in this direction.

Read the instruction manual of the manufacturer to determine how you can rotate your child's seat. You will find that they have the maximum height and weight limit, as well specific guidelines regarding things like the crotch strap's position. These guidelines are designed to safeguard your child as they develop.

Another thing to take into consideration is whether you have a vehicle with an anchor for tethering your car seat. If yes, ensure that the tether is correctly fitted and connected to the anchor points of your vehicle according to the directions in the manual. Also, ensure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are at or below their shoulders, but not too high or low. This will affect how they are secured in the event of a crash.

A convertible car seat is a great choice 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 a rear-facing infant car seat before moving your child to a forward-facing position once they are old enough and have reached the weight or height limit of the rear-facing position in the car seat.

Style

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

While the idea of facing your child forward is exciting, there are several important safety considerations to keep in mind. Kids should remain in the rear until they reach the maximum height and weight limits for their specific car seat.

Remember that children vary in both size and age. Don't base your decision on a specific date on the calendar or if you believe they have reached their maximum length. It may appear that a child is taller in a rear-facing car seat, but that doesn't mean it is safe to turn your child around. Their bones and spine aren't fully developed.

It is recommended that you keep your child facing rearwards until they reach one year old, and some infant car seat best car seats have a built-in reminder to ensure they remain there. This is due to the fact that children under one year old do not have enough neck muscles to take a direct hit that could cause serious spinal injuries.

In addition to being secure, many infant car seats have useful features that make them easy to use. They include bases that are attached to the car and snap out and in to allow you to transport your baby from stroller to car or back again and often with a frame stroller to form part of an overall travel infant car seat system.

If you are ready 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 and check the tightness of the car seat. The car seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or front to rear when installed correctly. The harness straps should also be at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have any concerns or questions you should talk to an accredited car seat safety technician in your area or contact the car seat manufacturer.