Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children under one year should not ride forward-facing. In the event of a crash neck muscles that are weak can stretch and cause serious injury.

Instead change to FF when your child reaches the height or weight maximums of their current seat (or the minimums for a new seat). Please review your instructions for your car seat.

Safety

In the event of a crash, infant car seat travel car seats are designed to protect your child's neck and head. The forward-facing position could also prevent your child from crashing their head against the back of the car seat which could result in serious injuries.

All forward-facing infant seats feature five-point harnesses, which secure the child by simply pulling the straps. The shell of the car seat is lined with energy-absorbing foam EPS for better impact protection. Some have a canopy that provides shade from the sun.

The most effective infant car seats come with an adjustable angle adjustment and an angle indicator. This allows you to set the correct angle for your child's neck in order to avoid it falling over in the event of an accident. The car seat also comes with a top tether strap that connects to the top of the car seat and hooks onto the tether anchor in your vehicle. It is important to keep in mind that your child may not need to switch to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the top weight and height allowed listed in the instruction manual of the seat you're using.

It's time to switch when your child reaches 20 pounds and one year. Children and toddlers younger than one year old have loose, soft muscles in their necks that could cause whiplash if they are involved in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most serious and frequent kind), they are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries. Rear-facing car seats shield the neck of children under one year old by cushioning their head.

When kids move to an forward-facing car seat they should remain in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that has a strong rear-facing weight and height limit. The child should not be able to move 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. It is evident the difference in these car seats when you watch these crash videos, but keep in mind that the video is slow-motion. A child could 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 comes with a comfortable headrest, body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing foam shell that will ensure your child's safety from impact. The seat also has five-point harnesses with simple one-pull tightening and a movable front center adjuster that ensures your child is in the right position. A retractable sun canopy helps protect your child from the sun. For your safety the seat is designed to be locked by the vehicle's seat belt and includes an locking clip that keeps the buckle securely fastened when not in use.

If your child complains of discomfort or seems to slump forward during sleep It could be due to 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 work, you can bring your child to Rockridge Kids and we will examine 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 collision should they be thrown to the side on their own. Some experts suggest waiting longer as the muscles and bones of young children are more flexible.

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

The 4Ever Convertible Car Seat from Graco is a 4-in-1 convertible car seat that lets your child use the seat for a period of 10 years. It can be converted from a rear-facing infant (up to 40 pounds) to forward-facing harness and high-back seats (30-100 lb), to an unbelt-positioning seat 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 re-threading.

Convenience

When traveling with a young baby, a forward-facing car seat is an excellent choice. This lets you see your child as you drive and the rest of your family members can enter the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. The type of car seat can be used with strollers, making it much easier to get your child in and out of the car when you go to the store or doing other chores.

Even if your child has reached the age where they can switch to a car seat that is facing forward it is best to keep them in a rear-facing seat for the duration you can. From the point of view of crash tests, a child’s head is safer in a crash when they are facing backwards. This is because the whole body -- head neck, torso, and head -- is cradled by the car seat's back when they face in this direction.

It is important to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer on the best infant carrier car seat time to change your child's car seat around. You will find that they have a maximum height and weight limit, as well specific rules regarding things such as the crotch strap position. These limits are intended to ensure your child's safety as they develop.

You should also consider whether your vehicle is equipped with anchors for tethers. If you do, make sure that the tether strap is properly installed and connected to the anchor points of your vehicle according to the instruction in the manual of the seat. Also, you should make sure that the harness shoulder straps are placed at or just above the shoulders of your child and not too high or low, as this will affect how well they are secured in the event of a crash.

A convertible car seat is a good option for parents with more than one child or who intend to have more. This is a convertible car seat that can be used as an infant rear-facing 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

You've spent a lot of time and effort in choosing the right car seat for your child. But as they get older and begin to outgrow their car seat for infants, you may be wondering if it's time to switch them around.

While the idea of having your child face forward can be thrilling, there are important safety considerations that you must keep in mind. Kids should remain rear facing until they reach the maximum height and weight limit for their specific car seat.

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

It's recommended that you keep your child rear facing until they are at least one year old, and certain infant car seats come with a built-in reminder to ensure they remain there. This is because children under one don't have enough neck muscles that can withstand a frontal impact that could cause serious spinal injuries.

Many infant car seats are not only safe, but they are also simple to use. These include bases that stay attached to the car and snap out and in to let you carry your child from car to stroller or back and often 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 do so correctly by following all of the manufacturer's instructions and checking the car seat for tightness. The car seat shouldn't move more than an inch from side to side, or front to rear when it is installed correctly. The harness straps 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 call the car seat manufacturer.