Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children younger than one year should NOT ride facing in the direction of forward. In the event of a crash neck muscles that are weak can stretch and cause serious injuries.

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

Safety

In the case of a collision, infant car seats are designed to protect the neck and head of your child. The forward-facing position can also help prevent your baby from hitting their head on the hard back of the car seat, which could cause serious injuries.

All infant seats that face forward have five-point harnesses. They ensure the child's safety by simply pulling the straps. The shell of the car seat is lined with energy-absorbing EPS for better impact protection. Some have an umbrella to protect from the sun.

The best car seat for newborn infant car seats have an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster, which allows you to set the correct angle of your child's head to stop them from flopping over in a collision. The car seat also comes with the top tether strap, which comes from the top of the car seat and connects to the tether anchor within your vehicle. Be aware that you might not have to change your child's seat to an forward-facing car seat until he / attains the maximum weight and height as stated in the manual of the seat.

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 could cause whiplash if involved in an accident. They are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries when they travel in a frontal crash (the most frequent and serious type). Rear-facing car seats protect the necks of infants under one year old by cushioning their heads.

When kids move to an forward-facing car seat they should remain in a convertible or all-in-one seat that has a high 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 or a backless booster, which is usually between 4 and 5 years old. It is evident the difference in these car seats when you watch these crash videos but remember that the footage is reduced in speed. If a child is moving too fast, they may be injured.

Comfort

A forward facing infant car seat allows your child to ride comfortably and stay secure during a crash. The seat features a soft headrest, a body support cushion, and an EPS energy-absorbing foam shell that will ensure your child's safety from impact. The seat also comes with five-point harnesses that are easy to use with one-pull tightening and an adjustable front center adjuster that ensures your child is correctly positioned. A retractable sun canopy will shield your child from the sun. The seat can be locked to the seat belt of your vehicle for safety. It also has a locking clip which keeps the latch buckle fastened when the seat isn't being used.

If your infant complains of discomfort while traveling or appears to slouch forward during sleep, the seat's angle could be too low for your child. This can be fixed by placing tightly rolled towel underneath the front of your car seat. If this isn't working, take your baby to Rockridge Kids and we will check the angle of the car seat.

It is vital to keep in mind that children aren't yet ready to face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds AND one year old (their necks are not strong enough to withstand a force applied to them in a crash if they were to fall forward on their own). Some experts suggest staying a bit longer, because the muscles and bones of young children are more malleable.

Many parents choose to buy convertible car seats that lets their infants be rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limits. This lets them enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing car seat longer and is more convenient for parents since they can easily move their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position when their child has outgrown it.

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

Convenience

A forward facing infant car seat is an excellent option if you're traveling with a young child. It lets you view your child's view while driving, and allows everyone else in the family to ride in the car without disturbing your infant or toddler. This type of car seats can be used with strollers making it easier to get your child in and out of the newborn car seat when you go to the shop or running tasks.

Even when your child is at the age where they can switch to a car seat that faces forward, it is safer to keep them in a rear-facing seat for the duration you can. If you view it from the standpoint of crash tests, children's head is more protected in a frontal crash when they are facing backwards. This is because the entire body -- head as well as neck and torso is supported by the seat's back when they face in this direction.

Check the instructions of the manufacturer to determine when you can rotate the seat of your child. They usually have a maximum weight and height limit you should not go over, as well as specific rules for things like crotch buckles. These restrictions are designed to protect your child's safety as they grow.

You should also think about whether your vehicle comes with tether anchors. If yes, ensure that the tether is installed and tied to your vehicle's anchor points according to the instructions in the manual. The last thing to do is ensure that the shoulder straps of the harness of your child are at or just below their shoulders, but not too high or low. This can affect how they're secured in the event of an accident.

An excellent option for parents who have multiple children or are planning to have more, is a convertible car seat. It is a convertible car seat that can be used as a rear-facing infant car seat in front seat car seat and then converted to a forward-facing car seat when your child reaches the height or weight limits of the rear-facing position.

Style

The baby car seat was a must for your little one, and you spent a lot of time choosing the best one. But as they get older and begin to outgrow their infant car seat, you may be wondering when it's time to switch them around.

Although the idea of having your baby face forward could be exciting, there are important safety considerations that you should keep in mind. Children should be rear-facing until they reach the maximum height and weight limits for their specific car seat.

It is important to remember that children differ in size and age, so you should never base on when you should switch to forward-facing on an exact date on the calendar or if they've reached their legroom limit. It may seem 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 bones and spine aren't fully developed.

Some infant car seats come with an alarm built-in to remind you to keep your child rear-facing until they're one year old. This is due to the fact that children under one do not have strong enough neck muscles that can be able to withstand a collision with a frontal force which could result in serious spinal injuries.

Many infant car seat cheap car seats are not only secure, but also simple to use. Some of them have bases that snap into 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 an overall travel system.

If you're ready to switch your child's rear-facing convertible seat to a forward-facing one, be sure to adhere to all the instructions given by the manufacturer and verify the fit of the car seat. The car seat should not move more than one inch from side to side, or from front to back, 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 regarding the installation of your car seat, you can contact an accredited safety technician in your community or the manufacturer of your car seat.