Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children younger than one year shouldn't ride facing in the direction of forward. In the event of a crash weak neck muscles can stretch and cause serious injury.
Instead switch to FF when your child reaches the weight or height limits of the seat they are currently in (or the minimums required for a new seat). Please read your car seat instructions.
Safety
In the event of a crash infant car seats are designed to protect your child's head and neck. The forward-facing position could also help prevent your baby from crashing their head against the hard back of the car seat, which could cause serious injuries.
All infant seats with a forward-facing feature five-point harnesses, which can secure the child by pulling the straps. The carrier shell is lined in energy-absorbing foam EPS for better impact protection. Some have a canopy to provide shade from the sun.
The best infant carseats will feature an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster which allows you to determine the ideal angle for your child's head in order to prevent them from flopping over in a collision. The car seat also comes with the top tether strap, which is attached to the top of the car seat and connects onto the tether anchor in your vehicle. It's 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 are using.
It's time to switch when your child is 20 pounds and one year. Infants and toddlers younger than one year old have loose, soft muscles in their necks that can cause whiplash if involved in an accident. They are more prone to suffer serious neck injuries if they travel in a frontal crash (the most frequent and severe type). When kids under 1 year ride backwards their heads are protected by the car seat and shielded from sudden movements that can stress their necks.
If children are moving to a forward-facing car seat, they should remain in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that has a strong rear-facing weight and a height limit. The child should not be placed in a booster until they reach the height and age requirements for a high-back booster, which is typically around age 4 or 5 years old. These crash videos will demonstrate the differences between the two carseats. But keep in mind that the video is slowed down. A child could be injured in the event that they move too fast.
Comfort
A forward facing infant car seat allows your infant to ride in comfort and stay secure during the event of a crash. The seat has a comfortable headrest and body support cushion as well as an EPS energy-absorbing shell that helps ensure your child is safe from any impacts. The seat has a five-point safety harness which can be tightened with only one pull, and a center front adjuster. This will ensure your child is properly positioned. A retractable sun canopy helps shield your baby from the sun. The seat can be locked to the belts of the vehicle for safety. It also has a locking clip which keeps the latch buckle fastened even when the seat isn't being used.
If your baby complains about discomfort or appears to be slouching 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 help you can take your baby to Rockridge Kids to have us check the angle of their car seat.
It is vital to keep in mind that children aren't ready to face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds and one year old (their necks aren't sturdy enough to withstand the force that is applied to them in a crash should they fall forward on their own). Some experts recommend taking longer to wait as the bones and muscles of children are more flexible.
Many parents decide to buy a convertible car seat which allows their infants to be backwards until they reach the maximum weight or height limit of the seat. This allows them to enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing car seat for longer, and makes it more convenient for parents since they can simply move their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position once their child is no longer in the position.
The Graco 4Ever Convertible car seat is a convertible 4-in-1 car seat that allows your child to use the seat for a period of 10 years. It can be converted from rear-facing infant (up to 40lbs) to forward-facing harness and high-back seats (30-100 lb) and then to an unbelt-positioning seat that is backless (40-120 lbs). It's easy and simple to set up using 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 a great option when you're traveling with a toddler. It allows you to watch your child while driving and the other members of your family can enter the car without disrupting your baby or toddler. This type of car seat can be used with strollers, making it easier to get your toddler in and out of your car to go to the grocery store or other errands.
Even even if your child is the age at which they can change their car seat to one that faces forward, it is safer to keep them in a rear-facing position for the duration you can. If you view it from the perspective of crash tests, a child's head is more protected in a frontal crash if they are facing backwards. This is because when they are facing backwards the entire body including the neck, head and torso, is cradled in the car seat's rear.
Check the instructions of the manufacturer to see the time you can rotate your child's seat. You'll see that they have a maximum height and weight limit, as well as specific guidelines regarding things like the crotch strap position. These limits are designed to safeguard your child as they develop.
It is also important to consider whether your vehicle has anchors for tethers. If so, make sure that the tether is connected to the anchor points on your vehicle according to the directions in the manual. Lastly, you'll want to make sure that the harness shoulder straps are just above the shoulders of your child and not too low or high, as this will affect how well they are restrained in a crash.
A convertible car seat is a smart option for parents who have several children or who are planning to have more. It is a convertible car seat that can be used as a rear-facing infant car seat and then converted to a forward facing seat once your child has reached the weight limit or height of the rear-facing position.
Style
The infant car seat was a must-have item for your child, and you spent a lot of time choosing the best one. As your child gets older and outgrows their car seat for infants, you may wonder if it is time to flip the seat around.
While the idea of having your child face forward can be exciting, there are important safety considerations you must keep in mind. Children should be rear-facing until they reach their car seat's maximum weight and height limits.
Keep in mind that children vary in terms of size and age. It isn't a good idea to base your decision on a certain date on the calendar or if you think they have reached their maximum amount of legroom. Children may appear larger in a rear-facing car seat but that doesn't mean that it's safe for turning them around, as their spine and bones aren't fully developed yet.
Some infant car seats come with an alarm that reminds that your child to remain facing rear until they're at least one year old. This is because kids under one year old do not have the strength of their neck muscles to withstand the whiplash of a frontal collision which can result in serious spinal injuries.
In addition to being safe and secure, many infant car seats are equipped with useful features that make them simple to use. These include bases that stay attached to the car and snap in and out to let you carry your child from stroller to car and back, and they often pair with a frame stroller to form part of a travel system.
If you are ready to switch your baby from a rear-facing convertible seat to a forward-facing one, be sure to adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer and verify the tightness of the car seat. When installed properly infant car seat best should not move more than one inch side to side or from front to back, and the harness straps must be at or above your child's shoulders. If you have any questions or concerns ask a certified car seat safety technician in your area or contact the car seat manufacturer.