Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children under one year should NOT ride facing in the direction of forward. In the event of a crash, their neck muscles that are weak could stretch and cause serious injuries.
Instead, switch to FF when your child reaches the height or weight maximums of the seat they are currently in (or the minimums required for the new seat). Make sure you read the 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 will also prevent your child from hitting their head against the hard back of the seat, which can cause serious injuries.
All infant seats that face forward have five-point harnesses, which can secure the child by pulling the straps. The shell of the car seat is lined in energy-absorbing foam EPS to provide better protection against impact. Some come with an umbrella that protects from the sun.
The best infant carseats will feature 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 the event of a collision. The car seat also comes with the top tether strap, which is attached to the top of the car seat. It then hooks onto the tether anchor in your vehicle. You should keep in mind that you may not need to move your child from a forward-facing car seat until he or attains the maximum weight and height as stated in the instruction manual for the seat.
When your child is 20 pounds and one year old is the right time to make the switch. Children and toddlers younger than one year old have loose, soft muscles in their necks that 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). Rear-facing car seats protect the necks of children less than one year old by cushioning their head.
When kids move to an forward-facing car seat they should remain in a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that has a strong rear-facing weight and a height limit. The child should not be placed in an adult booster until they meet the height and age requirements for a high-back booster, which is usually around the age of 4 or 5 years old. You can see the difference in these seats when you watch these crash videos, but remember that the footage is slowed down. A child can be injured if they move too quickly.
Comfort
A forward-facing infant car seat allows your child to enjoy a comfortable ride and be secure in the event of a crash. The seat comes with a soft headrest and body support cushion as well as an EPS energy-absorbing cover to shield your child from the impact. The seat also has five-point harnesses with simple one-pull tightening and an adjustable center front adjuster to ensure your child is properly positioned. A retractable sun canopy can shield your child from the sun. The seat can be secured to the belts of the vehicle to ensure safety. It also comes with an locking clip that keeps the buckle in place when the seat isn't in use.
If your child complains of discomfort during a journey or seems to lean forward when they sleep or sleeping, the angle of the seat might be too low for them. This can be fixed by placing a tightly rolled towel underneath the front of your car seat. If this isn't working, 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 take the force of a collision in the event that they fall to their front on their own. Some experts recommend staying a bit longer, as the bones and muscles of children are more flexible.
Many parents choose to purchase a convertible car seat that allows their children to travel rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of the seat. This allows parents to benefit from the advantages of a rear-facing seat for a longer amount of time. It is also easier for them because they can easily change their child's position from rear-facing to forward-facing when their child is out of it.
The Graco 4Ever Convertible Car seat is a convertible 4-in-1 car seat that allows your child to use the seat for 10 years. It can be converted from a rear-facing infant (up to 40 pounds) to a forward-facing harness as well as a high-back seats (30-100 lb), to a belt-positioning backless seat (40-120 lb). It's simple and easy to set up using the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the harness and headrest together, with no re-threading.
Convenience
When traveling with a young baby, a forward-facing infant car seat is a great choice. It lets you view your child while driving and allows all of your family members to enter the car without disturbing your infant or toddler. The car seat can be used in conjunction with strollers which makes it easier to get your child in and out of the vehicle while you are at the grocery store or doing other chores.
Even even if your child is the age that they are able to change to a car seat that faces forward it is better to keep them in a rear-facing seat for as long as you are able to. If you view it from the standpoint of crash tests, a child's head is safer in a frontal crash when they are facing backwards. This is because the whole body -- head, neck, and torso is supported by the seat's back when they're facing in this direction.
You should check the manufacturer's instructions for how to change your child's car seat around. You'll find that they have the maximum height and weight limit, and also specific guidelines regarding things like the crotch strap's position. These guidelines are designed to protect your child as they develop.
Another thing to consider is if you have a vehicle that has Tether anchors for your car seat. If so, ensure that the tether is correctly connected to your vehicle's anchor points according to the directions in the manual. 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 restrained in a crash.
A convertible car seat is a smart option for parents with several children or who are planning to have more children. It is a convertible car seat that can be used as a rear-facing infant car seat and then converted to a forward-facing car seat once your child has reached the weight limit or height of the rear-facing position.
best car seats for newborns uk was a must for your baby and you spent a lot of time choosing the right one. As your child grows older and outgrows their infant car seat you might be wondering if it's time to turn the seat around.
While the idea of letting your child face forward can be exciting, there are important safety considerations that you should keep in mind. Children should be rear-facing until they reach the weight limit of their car seat and height limitations.
Be aware that children differ in both size and age. It isn't a good idea to base your decision solely on a particular date on the calendar or if you believe they have reached their maximum length. A child might appear larger in the 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.
Some infant car seats come with an alarm built-in to remind that your child to remain rear-facing until they're 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.
Many infant car seats are not only secure, but also simple to use. These include bases that stay connected to the car and snap out and in to let you carry your baby from stroller to car and back to the car and often with a frame stroller as part of an overall travel system.
If you're ready to move your child to forward-facing convertible car seats make sure you follow all of the manufacturer's instructions and examining the car seat for tightness. When properly installed, the car seat shouldn't move more than 1 inch from side to side or front to back, and the harness straps should be positioned at or over your child's shoulders. If you have any concerns or questions you should talk to a certified safety technician in your area or call the manufacturer of the car seat.