Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children younger than one year are not allowed to ride forward-facing. In the event of a crash, their neck muscles that are weak could stretch and cause serious injuries.

Instead change to FF when your child is at the maximum height or weight limit of their current seat (or the minimums for a new seat). Please review your instructions for your car seat.

Safety

infant car seats cheap car seats are designed to safeguard the head and neck of your child in the event of an accident. The forward facing position also stops your child from hitting their head against the back of the seat which could result in serious injuries.

All infant seats with a forward-facing feature 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 for better impact protection. Some models also come with a canopy to provide shade from the sun.

The best infant carseats will feature an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster which lets you choose the right angle for your child's head to prevent them from flopping over in a collision. The top tether strap is connected to the tether anchor on the vehicle and extends from the top. Be aware that you may not need to move your child from a forward facing car seat until attains the maximum weight and height as stated in the manual for the seat.

When your child is 20 lbs and a year old is over, it's time to make the switch. Infants and toddlers younger than one year old have soft, loose neck muscles which can result in whiplash during the event of a crash. They are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries if they travel in a frontal collision (the most common and severe type). Rear-facing car seats protect the neck of children under one year old by cushioning their head.

When kids move to a forward-facing car seat they should remain in a convertible or all-in-one seat with a high rear-facing weight and a height limit. The child shouldn't be moved into a booster until they reach the height and age requirements for a high-back 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 keep in mind that the video is slowed down. A child can be injured in the event that they move too fast.

Comfort

A forward-facing infant car seat keeps your child safe and secure during an accident. The seat has a comfortable headrest and a body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing shell that helps shield your child from the impact. The seat also comes with a five-point harness with easy one-pull tightening, and an adjustable center front adjuster to ensure your child is properly positioned. A retractable canopy protects your child from direct sunlight. The seat can be locked to the vehicle seat belt for security. It also includes a locking clip which keeps the buckle in place when the seat is not in use.

If your infant complains of discomfort during a trip or appears to slouch forward when sleeping the angle of the seat could be too low for the child. This can be corrected by placing a towel that is tightly folded under the front of your car seat. If this doesn't work you can take your baby to Rockridge Kids to have us assess the angle of their carseat.

Remember that children should not face forward until they weigh at 20 pounds and are one year old. Their necks are still not strong enough to stand up to the force of a collision, if they were to be thrown to the side on their own. Some experts recommend taking longer to wait as the muscles and bones of young children are more flexible.

Many parents opt to purchase a convertible seat that allows their children to be 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 is also easier for them because they can easily change their child's position from forward-facing to rear-facing when their child is out of it.

The 4Ever Convertible Car Seat from Graco is a 4-in-1 convertible car seat inserts for newborns seat that allows your child to use the seat for a period of 10 years. It converts from rear-facing infant (up to 40 pounds) to a forward-facing harness as well as a high-back seats (30-100 lb), to a backless belt-positioning seat (40-120 lbs). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to set up. You can move the harness and headrest together without the need 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 see your child's view while driving, and allows the rest of the family to ride in the car without disturbing your infant or toddler. This type of car seat can be used with a stroller, making it easier to take your little one in and out of your car seats by age to go to the store for groceries or other chores.

Even if your child has reached the age that they are able to change their car seat to one that is facing forward it is better to keep them in a rear-facing seat for as long as you are able to. When you consider it from the perspective of crash test results, a child's head is safer in a frontal collision when they are facing backwards. This is because the entire body -- head, neck, and torso -- is cradled by the car seat's back when they are facing in this direction.

Read the instruction manual of the manufacturer to determine when you can rotate your child's seat. You'll see that they have a maximum height and weight limit, and also specific rules regarding things such as the crotch strap position. These rules are designed to protect your child as they develop.

Another thing to take into consideration is whether you own an automobile with tether anchors for your car seat. If yes, ensure that the tether is correctly fitted and connected to your vehicle's anchor points according to the instructions in the manual. The last thing to do is make sure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are on or below their shoulders, and are not too low or high. This can affect how they're secured in the event of the event of a crash.

A great option for parents who have several children or are planning to have more children is a convertible car seat. It is a convertible car seat that can be used as an infant rear-facing car seat, and then changed to a forward facing seat once your child reaches the weight or height limits of the rear-facing position.

Style

The infant car seat was a must for your little one and you spent much time deciding the right one. However, as they age and begin to outgrow their infant car seat, you may be wondering if it's time to switch them around.

While the idea of having your child face forward can be exciting, there are important safety considerations you should be aware of. Children should remain rear-facing until they reach their car seat's maximum weight and height limits.

You should also be aware that children are different in size and age, so you should never base on when you should switch to forward-facing on some specific date on the calendar or when they've reached their limit of legroom. A child might appear larger in a rear-facing car seat, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's safe to turn them around, as their spine and bones aren't fully developed.

It's recommended that you keep your child rear-facing until they reach one year old. some infant car seats come with an integrated reminder to keep them there. This is because kids under one don't have strong enough neck muscles to withstand the force of a collision with a car in front, which can result in serious spinal injuries.

Many infant car seats are not only safe, but also easy to use. They include bases that are in the car and snap in and out to allow you to carry your baby from stroller to car or back to the car, and they often pair with a frame stroller to form part of the travel system.

If you're ready to move your baby into forward-facing convertible car seats ensure that you follow all of the manufacturer's instructions and checking the car seat for tightness. The car seat should not move more than an inch from side to side, or from front to back, when installed correctly. The harness straps should be placed over the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns about the fitting of your car seat, you can contact a certified safety technician in your area or the manufacturer of your car seat.