The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Forward Facing Infant Car S…

Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing infant car seat that swivels Car Seat

Children younger than one year should not ride forward-facing. In a crash their neck muscles may weaken and be stretched and cause serious injuries.

Instead switch to FF when your child reaches the weight or height limits of the seat they are currently in (or the minimums for the new seat). Please review your instructions for your car seat.

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 hitting 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 secure the child with one pull tightening, and the shell of the car seat is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for improved impact protection. Some come with a canopy that provides shade from the sun.

The best infant carseats will have an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster, that allows you to set the correct angle of your child's head in order to prevent the car seat from slipping over in a crash. The seat also comes with the top tether strap, which connects to the top of the car seat and connects to the tether anchor within your vehicle. It is important to keep in mind that your child may not require switching to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight and height that is listed in the instruction manual for the seat you're using.

When your child is 20 pounds and one year old is over, it's time to make the switch. Toddlers and babies under one year old have loose, soft neck muscles that can cause whiplash in the event of a crash. They are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries when they travel in a frontal collision (the most frequent and severe type). Rear-facing car seats shield the neck of children under one year old by cushioning their heads.

If children are moving to a forward facing car seat, they still require a convertible or an all in-one that has a large rearward weight and height limit. They shouldn't be moved to an adult car seat until they reach the high back or backless booster seat age and height requirement which is usually about age 4 or 5. These crash videos will show you the differences between the carseats. But keep in mind that the footage has been slowed down. If a child moves too fast, they may be injured.

Comfort

A forward facing infant car seat allows your baby seat to enjoy a comfortable ride and remain safe during the event of a crash. The seat features a soft cushion for the headrest and body as well as an EPS energy-absorbing cover to protect your child from impacts. The seat also comes with a five-point harness with easy one-pull tightening and an adjustable front center adjuster to ensure your child is in the right position. A retractable canopy shields your child from direct sunlight. The seat can be locked to the belts of the vehicle for security. It also has a clip to lock the buckle secure when the seat isn't being used.

If your baby complains about discomfort or appears to slump forward while sleeping, it may be because the angle of the car seat is too low. This can be corrected by placing tightly rolled towel underneath the front of your car seat. If this doesn't help then you can bring your baby to Rockridge Kids to have us examine the angle of their carseat.

It is crucial to remember that children are not ready to stand up and face forward until they weigh at minimum 20 pounds AND one year old (their necks are not strong enough to withstand the force that would be applied to them by a collision should they fall forward on their own). Some experts recommend waiting even longer, as the muscles and bones of young children are more malleable than those of adults.

Many parents choose to purchase a convertible seat, which allows their babies to travel rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit of the seat. This lets parents benefit from the advantages of a rear-facing seat for a longer amount of time. It can also make it easier for them because they can easily switch their child's position from forward-facing to rear-facing when the child grows out of it.

The Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat offers your child 10 years of car seat use with only one seat, from rear-facing infant (4-40 lbs) to forward-facing 5-point harness with high-back booster (30-100 lb) to a belt-positioning booster that is backless (40-120 lbs). It's easy and simple to install with the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the harness and headrest in tandem, without having to re-thread.

Convenience

A forward facing infant car seat is an excellent option when you're traveling with a child who is young. This lets you see your child's face while driving and the rest of your family can enter the car without disrupting your baby or toddler. This type of car seat can also be used with strollers which makes it easier to take your little one into and out of the car for trips to the store for groceries or other errands.

Even even if your child is the age where they can switch to a car seat that faces forward it is best car seats for newborns to keep them in a rear-facing position as long as you are able to. If you view it from the perspective of crash test results, a child's head is safer in a frontal crash if they are facing backwards. This is because when facing backwards the entire body, including the neck, head and torso, is cradled in the car seat's rear.

It is important to read the manufacturer's instructions for when you can change your child's car seat around. They usually have the weight and height limit that you should not go over, as well as specific rules for things like crotch buckle position. These limits are intended to protect your child's safety as they develop.

It is also important to consider whether your vehicle comes with Tether anchors. If yes, you must ensure that the strap is properly fitted and connected to the anchor points of your vehicle as per the instructions in the manual for your seat. Additionally, you'll need to make sure that the shoulder straps of your harness are placed at or just above the shoulders of your child and not too high or low because this can affect how well they are secured in an accident.

A good choice for parents with several children or are planning to have more, is convertible car seats. It 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 once your child has reached the weight or height limits of the rear-facing position.

Style

You've spent a lot of time and effort choosing the perfect baby car seat for your child. As your child grows older and outgrows their infant car seat you may wonder if it is time to flip the seat around.

While the idea of having your child face forward is thrilling, there are a few important safety aspects to be aware of. Children should be rear-facing until they reach the maximum height and weight limit for their particular car seat.

Keep in mind that children vary in both size and age. It isn't a good idea to base your decision on a specific date on the calendar or if you believe they have reached their maximum legroom. A child may appear bigger in a rear-facing car seat, however, that doesn't mean that it's safe to turn them around, as their spine and bones aren't fully developed yet.

It is recommended that you keep your child rear-facing until they are at least one year old, and certain infant car seats have an integrated reminder to keep them there. This is because children under one year old don't have enough neck muscles to withstand the whiplash of a frontal collision which can cause serious spinal injuries.

Many infant car seats aren't just safe, but they are also simple to use. Some of them have bases that snap in 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 transition your baby into a forward-facing convertible car seat ensure that you do it correctly by following all the instructions of the manufacturer and examining the car seat for tightness. The car seat shouldn't move more than one inch from side to side, or from front to back, when installed correctly. The harness straps should be placed at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns ask a certified car seat safety technician in your area or call the manufacturer of the car seat.