Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children younger than one year old are NOT supposed to ride forward-facing. In a crash their neck muscles may weaken and stretch and cause serious injuries.

Instead, switch to FF when your child is at the maximum height or weight limit of their current seat (or the minimums for a new seat). Make sure you read the instructions for your car seat.

Safety

Car seats for infants are designed to safeguard the head and neck of your child in the event of an accident. The forward-facing position could also help prevent your baby from crashing their head against the back of the car seat which could cause serious injuries.

All forward-facing infant car seats come with five-point harnesses that hold the child in place with just one pull tightening. Additionally, the carrier shell is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for better protection from impact. Some come with an umbrella that protects from the sun.

The most suitable infant car seats uk car seats come with an adjustable angle adjustment and an angle indicator. This lets you choose the ideal angle for your child's neck in order to stop it from slipping over during a collision. The seat also has an upper tether strap that is attached to the top of the car seat and connects onto the tether anchor inside your vehicle. It's important to keep in mind that your child may not require a switch to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the top weight and height limit that is stated in the instruction manual for the seat you are using.

It's time to change when your child weighs 20 pounds and one year. Infants and toddlers younger that one year have soft, loose muscles in their necks, which can cause whiplash if they are involved in an accident. They are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries if they travel in a frontal collision (the most frequent and serious type). When children younger than 1 year are backwards their head is protected by the car seat, and protected from sudden movements that could cause neck strain.

When children transition to a forward-facing car seat, they should use a convertible or an all-in-one car seat with a high rear-facing weight and a height limit. They shouldn't be moved to an adult car seat until they have met the high back or backless booster age and height requirements for the seat which is usually around age 4 or 5. These crash videos will show you the differences between carseats. However, keep in mind that the video has been slowed down. If a child is moving too quickly, they can be injured.

Comfort

A forward-facing infant car seats keeps your child safe and comfortable during an accident. The seat comes with a comfortable headrest, body support cushion, and an EPS energy-absorbing foam shell to ensure your child's safety from impact. The seat also has five-point harnesses with simple one-pull tightening and an adjustable front center adjuster to ensure your child is in the right position. A retractable sun canopy helps shield your child from the sun. The seat can be locked to the belts of the vehicle for safety. It also includes an locking clip that keeps the buckle in place when the seat isn't being used.

If your child complains of discomfort while traveling or appears to slouch forward during sleep the angle of the seat may be too low for the child. You can correct this by placing tightly folded towels on the front of the car seat to lift it up more. If this isn't working, take your baby to Rockridge Kids and we will test the angle of the car seat.

It is crucial to remember that children aren't yet ready to face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds and one year old (their necks aren't sturdy enough to withstand a force that would be applied to them in a crash should they fall forward on their own). Some experts recommend staying a bit longer, since the muscles and bones of young children are more flexible.

Many parents decide to purchase a convertible car seat, which allows their babies to travel rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit of the seat. This allows parents to enjoy the benefits a rear-facing seat for a longer period of time. It also makes it easier for parents as they can easily change their child's seat from rear-facing to forward-facing as the child grows out of 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 40lbs) to a forward-facing harness as well as a high-back seats (30-100 lb) as well as an unbelt-positioning seat that is backless (40-120 lbs). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to put in. You can move the harness and headrest together without having to re-thread.

Convenience

When traveling with a young baby, a forward-facing car seat is an excellent choice. It lets you see your child while driving and allows the rest of the family to ride in the car without disturbing your infant or toddler. The car seat can be used in conjunction with strollers making it easier for you to get your child into and out of the vehicle when going to the store or running other chores.

Even when your child is at the age that they are able to switch to a car seat that is facing forward, it is safer to keep them in a rear-facing seat for the duration you can. From the standpoint of crash tests, a child's head is better protected in a crash when they face backwards. This is because the whole body -- including the head, neck, and torso is held by the seat's back when they are facing in this direction.

Read the instruction manual of the manufacturer to determine how you can rotate the seat of your child. There will be a maximum weight and height limit you should not go over as well as specific rules for things like the crotch buckle's position. These guidelines are designed to protect your child as they develop.

Another thing to take into consideration is whether you have an automobile with an anchor for tethering your car seat. If yes, you must make sure the strap is properly fitted and connected to the anchor points of your vehicle according to the instruction in the seat's manual. Also, you should make sure that the shoulder straps of your harness are at or just above your child's shoulders 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 smart option for parents who have multiple children or who plan to have more. This is a convertible car seat that can be used as a rear-facing infant car seat, and then changed to a forward facing seat once your child has reached the weight or height limits of the rear-facing position.

Style

You spent a lot time and effort deciding on the best car seats newborn baby car seat for your child. However, as they age and start outgrowing their car seat for infants you might be wondering when it's time to flip them around.

While the idea of letting your child face forward can be exciting, there are some important safety considerations you must keep in mind. Children should be rear-facing until they reach the maximum height and weight limit for their specific car seat.

Be aware that children are different in terms of size and age therefore, you shouldn't decide when to switch to forward-facing on some specific date on the calendar or when they've reached their legroom limit. It might appear that a child is bigger in a rear-facing car seat, but that does not mean that it's safe to turn the child around. Their spine and bones haven't yet fully developed.

It's recommended that you keep your child rear-facing until they reach one year old. some infant car seats have an inbuilt reminder to keep them there. This is because children under one year old do not have the strength of their neck muscles to withstand the force of a collision with a car in front, which can result in serious spinal injuries.

In addition to being safe, many infant car seats are equipped with practical features that make them simple to use. Some include bases that snap into and out of the car which allows you to take your baby seat from the car to a stroller, and back. They are often part a travel system.

If you're ready to move your baby to a forward-facing convertible car seat ensure that you follow all the instructions of the manufacturer and examining 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 also be 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 your car seat.