Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children under one year are not allowed to ride in a forward-facing. In the event of a crash neck muscles that are weak can stretch and cause serious injury.
Switch to FF instead of FF when your child reaches the maximum weight of their current seat or height (or the minimum for the new car seat). Read your car seat instructions carefully.
Safety
Infant car seats are made to safeguard the head and neck of your child in the event of an accident. The forward-facing position can also help prevent your baby from crashing their head against the back of the car seat, which could cause serious injuries.
All infant car seats that face forward have five-point harnesses to secure the child with one pull tightening. Additionally, the shell of the car is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam that provides better protection against impact. Some have a canopy to provide shade from the sun.
The best infant car seats will feature an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster which allows you to choose the right angle for your child's head in order to prevent the car seat from slipping over in a collision. The top tether strap is attached to the tether anchor on the vehicle and is positioned from the top. It is important to keep in mind that your child might not require a switch to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight and height limit that is stated 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 switch. Infants and toddlers younger than one year old have loose, soft neck muscles that can cause whiplash in the event of a crash. They are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries when they travel in a frontal crash (the most frequent and severe type). When children younger than 1 year are riding backwards their heads are cushioned by the car seat, and protected from sudden movements that can cause neck strain.
If children are moving to a forward-facing car seat they should still use a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that has a high rear-facing weight and a height limit. The child should not be able to move into an adult booster until they meet the height and age requirements for a high-back or backless booster, which is usually around age 4 or 5 years old. These crash videos will demonstrate the differences between carseats. But remember, the footage has been slowed. Children can be injured when they move too fast.
Comfort
A forward-facing infant car seats keeps your child safe and 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 comes with a five-point harness with easy one-pull tightening, and an adjustable center front adjuster to ensure your child is correctly positioned. A retractable sun canopy will protect your child from the sun. For safety, the seat is designed to lock with the vehicle's seat belt and includes an adjustable clip that holds the latch buckle securely fastened when not in use.
If your infant complains of discomfort while traveling or seems to slump forward when sleeping, the seat's angle could be too low for the child. This can be fixed by placing a tightly rolled towel on the front of your car seat. If this doesn't help then you can bring your child to Rockridge Kids to have us assess the angle of their carseat.
Be aware that children should not face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds and are a year old. Their necks are still not strong enough to take the force of a collision in the event that they fall forward on their own. Some experts recommend waiting even longer, because the bones and muscles of children are more flexible than those of adults.
Many parents choose to purchase a convertible car seat that lets their infants move rearwards until they reach their maximum weight or height limits. This lets them benefit from the advantages of a rear-facing car seat for much longer, and makes it more convenient for parents because they can easily move their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position once their child has outgrown it.
The Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat offers your child 10 years of car seat use with just one seat, from rear-facing infant (4-40 lb) to forward-facing 5-point harness and high-back booster (30-100 lb) to backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 lb). It is simple and easy to set up using the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the headrest and harness together, with no re-threading.
Convenience
If you are traveling with a small infant, a forward-facing infant car seat is a great choice. This allows you to see your child while driving and the other members of your family can get into the car without disrupting your baby or toddler. This type of car seats can be used with strollers making it easier to get your child in and out of the car while you are at the grocery store or doing other chores.
But that even the time your child is old enough to transition to an forward-facing car seat, it's better to keep them rear-facing as long as is possible. From the standpoint of crash tests, a child’s head is safer in the event of a crash if they face backwards. This is due to the fact that the entire body -- head as well as neck and torso is held by the seat's back when they are facing in this direction.
You'll want to check the instructions provided by the manufacturer on the best time to change your child's car seat around. They usually have the weight and height limit you shouldn't go over as well as specific rules for things like crotch buckles. These limits are meant to protect your child's safety 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 installed and tied to the anchor points of your vehicle according to the directions in the manual. Last but not least, make sure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are on or just below their shoulders, and not too low or high. This can affect how they're restrained during an accident.
A convertible car seat is a smart choice for parents with more than one child or who intend to have more. It is a convertible car seat that can be used as a rear-facing infant car seat and then moved to a forward facing seat once your child has reached the height or weight limits of the rear-facing position.
Style
The baby car seat was a must-have item for your little one, and you spent much time deciding the best one. As your child grows older and outgrows their car seat for infants, you might wonder if it's time to turn the seat around.
While the idea of facing your child forward is exciting, there are some important safety aspects to be aware of. Children should remain rear-facing until they reach the weight limit of their car seat and height limits.
Be aware that children are different in terms of size and age, therefore, you shouldn't decide on when you should switch to forward-facing on an exact date on the calendar or if they've reached their maximum legroom. Children may appear larger in the rear-facing car seat but that doesn't necessarily mean it's safe to turn them around, as their spine and bones aren't fully developed yet.
It is recommended to keep your child facing rearwards until they reach one year old, and some infant car seats have a built-in reminder to ensure they remain there. This is due to the fact that children younger than one year old don't have enough neck muscles to withstand the whiplash of a collision with a car in front, which can cause serious spinal injuries.
Many infant car seats aren't just safe, but they are also simple to use. These include bases that remain connected to the car and snap out and in to allow you to carry your child from stroller to car and back and often with a frame stroller to form part of the travel system.
If you're ready to move your child to a forward-facing convertible car seat, be sure to do it correctly by following all the instructions of the manufacturer and checking the car seat for tightness. The car seat should not move more than an inch from side to side or front to rear when properly installed. pushchairsandprams.uk should be placed at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have any concerns or questions, talk to a certified car seat safety technician in your area or contact the car seat manufacturer.