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 that are weak can stretch and cause serious injury.

Switch to FF instead when your child reaches the maximum weight of their current seat or height (or the minimum requirement for the new car seat). Check the instructions for your car seat carefully.

Safety

In the case of a collision, infant car seat that swivels car seats are designed to protect your child's neck and head. 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 hold the child in place with just one pull tightening. Additionally, the shell of the car seat is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam to provide enhanced protection from impact. Some also have a canopy to provide shade from the sun.

The best car seat infant car seats will have an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster which lets you choose the right angle for your child's head to stop them from falling over in a crash. The top tether strap is attached to the tether anchor of the vehicle and extends from the top. You should keep in mind that you may not need to change your child's seat to an forward-facing car seat until she reaches the maximum weight and height listed in the manual for the seat.

It's the time to switch to a different model when your child weighs 20 pounds and one year old. Children and toddlers younger than one year have soft, loose muscles in their necks, which can cause whiplash if involved in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most severe and frequent type) they are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries. Rear-facing car seats protect the neck of children under one year old by cushioning their head.

When children transition to a forward-facing car seat, they should use a convertible seat or an all-in-one with a high rear-facing weight and height limit. The child shouldn't be placed in an adult booster until they meet the height and age requirements for a high-back or a backless booster, which is typically around the age of 4 or 5 years old. You can notice the differences in these seats when you watch these crash videos, but remember that the video is slow-motion. Children can be injured if they move too quickly.

Comfort

A forward-facing infant car seat will keep your baby safe and comfortable during an accident. The seat comes with a soft headrest and a body support cushion as well as an EPS energy-absorbing cover to ensure your child is safe from any impacts. The seat has five points of safety harness that can be adjusted with a single pull and a front-center adjuster. This will ensure that your child is properly positioned. A retractable canopy shields your child from direct sunlight. The seat can be secured to the belts of the vehicle to ensure safety. It also has an locking clip that keeps the buckle secure when the seat isn't being used.

If your child complains of discomfort or seems to slump forward while sleeping, it may be because the angle of the car seat is too low. This can be fixed by placing tightly rolled towel underneath the front of your car seat. If this does not work, bring your child to Rockridge Kids and we will check the angle of the car seat.

Keep in mind that children shouldn't face forward until they weigh at 20 pounds and are one year old. Their necks are still not strong enough to withstand the force of a collision, if they were to be thrown to the side on their own. Some experts recommend staying a bit longer, since the muscles and bones of young children are more malleable.

Many parents decide to purchase a convertible car seat which allows their infants to be backwards 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 amount of time. It can also make it easier for them as they can easily switch their child's position from forward-facing to rear-facing when their child is out of it.

The Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat gives your child 10 years of car seat use with just one seat, ranging from rear-facing good infant car seats (4-40 lb) to forward-facing 5-point harness and high-back booster (30-100 lb) to backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 lbs). It's simple and easy to install using the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the harness and headrest together, with no re-threading.

Convenience

If you are traveling with a small baby, a forward-facing car seat can be the best car seat option. It allows you to watch your child while driving and the rest of your family can get into the car without disrupting your baby or toddler. This type of car seats can be used with strollers making it much easier to get your child into and out of the vehicle while you are at the grocery store or running other tasks.

Even even if your child is the age where they can switch to a car seat that is forward-facing it is better to keep them in a rear-facing position for as long as you are able to. From the point of view of crash tests, children's head is better protected in the event of a crash if they face backwards. This is because when they are facing backwards the entire body, including the head, neck and torso is held in the car seat's rear.

Review the directions of the manufacturer to determine when you can rotate the seat of your child. You will find that they have the maximum height and weight limit, as well as specific guidelines regarding things like the crotch strap position. These limits are meant to ensure the safety of your child as they develop.

You should also consider whether your vehicle has anchors for tethers. If yes, you must make sure that the strap is properly fitted and secured to the anchor points of your vehicle according to the instruction in the manual of the seat. Lastly, you'll want to 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 impact how well they're restrained in an accident.

A great option for parents who have several children or are planning to have more, is a convertible car seat. It is a one-stop car seat that starts with a rear-facing infant car seat and then transition your child to a forward-facing position when they are old enough and have reached the height or weight limit for the rear-facing position of the car seat.

Style

You spent a lot time and effort choosing the perfect baby car seat for your child. As your child grows and outgrows their car seat for infants, you might be wondering if it's time to flip the seat around.

While the idea of having your child face forward is thrilling, there are a few important safety considerations to keep in mind. Kids should remain 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 the decision to change to a forward-facing car seat on an exact date on the calendar or if they've reached their limit of legroom. A child might appear larger in the rear-facing car seat but that doesn't mean that it's safe for turning around, as their bones and spine haven't fully developed yet.

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 under one year old do not have the strength of their neck muscles to withstand the whiplash of a collision with a car in front, which can cause serious spinal injuries.

Many infant car seats aren't just safe, but also easy to use. Some of them have bases that snap in and out of the car, allowing you to carry your child from the car to a stroller, and back. They are often part the travel system.

If you are ready to switch your child's rear-facing convertible seat to a forward facing one, ensure that you adhere to all the instructions given by the manufacturer and check the tightness of the car seat. When installed properly the car seat should not move more than 1 inch side to side or from front to back, and the harness straps must be at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to a certified car seat safety technician in your area or contact the car seat manufacturer.