Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children under one year should NOT ride facing towards the forward. In a crash, their neck muscles may be stretched and cause serious injury.
Switch to FF instead of FF once your child is at the weight limit of their current car seat or height (or the minimum requirement for the new car seat). Follow the directions for your car seat carefully.
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 can also prevent your child from hitting their head on the back of the car seat which could cause serious injuries.
All forward-facing infant car seats have five point harnesses that secure the child with one pull tightening. Additionally, the carrier shell is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for enhanced protection against impact. Some have a canopy that provides shade from the sun.
The best infant car seats will include an angle indicator as well as an adjustable angle adjuster, which lets you determine the ideal angle for your child's head in order to prevent them from falling over in a crash. The top tether strap is attached to the tether anchor of the vehicle and is positioned from the top. It's important to keep in mind that your child might not need to switch to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight and height allowed listed in the instruction manual for the seat you are using.
It's time to switch when your child is 20 pounds and a year. 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 prone to suffer serious neck injuries if they travel in a frontal collision (the most frequent and serious type). When kids under 1 year are backwards their heads are protected by the car seat and shielded from sudden movements that can stress their necks.
When children transition to a forward-facing car seat they should use a convertible seat or an all-in-one that has a high rear-facing weight and height limit. They should not be moved to a booster seat until they reach the high back or backless booster seat age and height requirements typically around age 4 or 5. You can see the difference in these car seats when you look at these crash videos, however, remember that the video is slow-motion. If a child moves too quickly, they can be injured.
Comfort
A forward-facing infant car seat allows your child to enjoy a comfortable ride and stay secure during a crash. The seat features a soft headrest and body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing shell that helps shield your child from the impact. The seat is equipped with a five-point safety harness that can be tightened with one pull and a center-front adjuster. This will ensure that your child is positioned correctly. A retractable canopy protects your child from direct sunlight. For your safety the seat is designed to lock to the seat belt of your vehicle and comes with an locking clip that keeps the buckle securely fastened when not in use.
If your infant complains of discomfort during a trip or appears to slouch forward when they sleep, the angle of the seat might be too low for them. This can be fixed by placing a towel that is tightly folded on the front of your car seat. If this isn't working, take your baby to Rockridge Kids and we will test the angle of the car seat.
Remember that children should not face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds and are one year old. Their necks are still not strong enough to take the force of a crash should they fall to their front on their own. Some experts recommend waiting longer, because the muscles and bones of children are more malleable than those of adults.
Many parents decide to buy a convertible car seat, which allows their babies 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 a rear-facing seat for a longer period of time. It is also easier for them because they can easily change their child's position from rear-facing to forward-facing as the child grows out of it.
The Graco 4Ever Convertible Car Seat provides your child 10 years of car seat use in only one seat, from rear-facing infant (4-40 lbs) to forward-facing 5-point harness and high back booster (30-100 lb) to a backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 lb). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to put in. You can move the harness and headrest together without having to re-thread.
Convenience
If you're traveling with a young baby, a forward-facing infant car seat can be a great choice. This allows you to see your child as you drive and the other members of your family can enter the car without disturbing your toddler or baby. This type of car seats can be used in conjunction with strollers, making it much easier to get your child into and out of the vehicle when you go to the store or running other tasks.
Even if www.pushchairsandprams.uk has reached 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 the duration you can. From the point of view of crash tests, a child’s head is more secure in the event of a crash if they face backwards. This is due to the fact that when facing backwards, the entire body, including the head, neck and torso is held in the rear of the car seat.
You'll want to check the instructions provided by the manufacturer on when you can change the car seat of your child around. You'll see that they have an upper and lower limit, as well specific guidelines regarding things like the crotch strap's location. These limits are intended to ensure the safety of your child as they develop.
Another thing to take into consideration is if you have a vehicle that has an anchor for tethering your car seat. If so, ensure that the tether is fitted and connected to the anchor points on your vehicle as per the instructions in the manual. Last but not least, ensure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are at or below their shoulders, and not too low or high. This will affect how they are restrained during an accident.
An excellent option for parents with several children or are planning to have more, is a convertible car seat. It is a one-stop car seat that starts by being an infant car seat that faces rearwards, then move your child to a forward-facing seat when they're old enough and have reached the weight or height limit for the rear-facing car seat.
Style
The baby car seat was a must-have item for your child and you've spent a lot of time choosing the right one. As your child gets older and outgrows their infant car seat you might wonder if it's time to turn the seat around.
While the idea of having your baby face forward could be exciting, there are some important safety considerations that you must keep in mind. Children should remain rear-facing until they reach the weight limit of their car seat and height limits.
Remember that children vary in terms of size and age. You shouldn't 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, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's safe to turn them around, as their bones and spine haven't fully developed.
Some infant car seats have a built-in alarm to remind you to keep your child facing rear until they're at least one year old. This is because children younger than one year old do not have enough neck muscles to take a direct hit, which could result in serious spinal injuries.
Many infant car seats are not just secure, but also simple to use. Some of them have bases that snap into and out of the car, allowing you to carry your child from the car to a stroller, and back. They are typically part of the 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 then examining the car seat for tightness. If it's installed correctly the car seat shouldn't move more than one inch from side to side or front to back and the harness straps must be placed at or above your child's shoulders. If you have any questions or concerns about the installation of your car seat, call an accredited safety technician in your community or the manufacturer of your car seat.