Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children younger than one year old are not allowed to ride in a forward-facing. In a crash their neck muscles may weaken and be stretched and cause serious injuries.

Switch to FF instead of FF when your child reaches the maximum weight of their current seat or height (or the minimum required for a new car seat). Please read your car seat instructions.

Safety

Infant car seats are made to protect 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 hard back of the seat which can cause serious injuries.

All forward-facing infant car seats come with five-point harnesses that hold the child in place with just one pull tightening, and the shell of the car is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for better protection against impact. Some models have a canopy to provide shade from the sun.

The best infant car seats feature an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster which allows you to choose the right angle for your child's head to stop the car seat from slipping over in a crash. The top rated baby car seats tether strap is connected to the tether anchor of the vehicle and is positioned from the top. It's important to keep in the mind that your child may not need to switch to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight and height limit that is stated in the instruction manual for the seat you're using.

It's time to change when your child reaches 20 pounds and a year. Toddlers and babies under one year old have soft, loose neck muscles which can result in whiplash during the event of a crash. They are more prone to suffer serious neck injuries when they travel in a frontal collision (the most frequent and serious type). If children under the age of 1 are in a rear-facing car seat their heads are protected by the car seat and shielded from sudden movements that can cause neck strain.

When kids move to an forward-facing car seat they should still use a convertible or an all-in-one car seat with a high rear-facing weight and a height limit. The child shouldn't be moved into an adult booster until they meet the height and age requirements for a high-back or a backless booster, which is typically between 4 and 5 years old. These crash videos will demonstrate the differences between the two carseats. But keep in mind that the footage has been slowed. If a kid moves too fast, they may be injured.

Comfort

A forward facing infant car seat allows your baby to ride comfortably and stay secure during a crash. The seat comes with a soft headrest and body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing shell to ensure your child is safe from any impacts. The seat is equipped with a five-point safety harness that can be adjusted with a single pull and a center-front adjuster. This will ensure that your child is positioned correctly. A retractable canopy shields your child from direct sunlight. The seat can be secured to the belts of the vehicle to ensure security. It also includes a locking clip which keeps the buckle in place even when the seat isn't being used.

If your child is complaining of discomfort during a journey or appears to slouch forward when sleeping the angle of the seat may be too low for them. You can fix this by putting tightly rolled towels under the front of the car seat to lift it up more. If this isn't working, take your baby to Rockridge Kids and we will examine the angle of the car seat.

Be aware that children should not face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds and are a year old. Their necks are not strong enough to take the force of a collision should they be thrown to the side on their own. Some experts recommend staying a bit longer, as the bones and muscles of young children are more malleable.

Many parents opt to purchase convertible car seats that allows their children to be rear-facing until they reach maximum weight or height limits. This lets them enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing car seat for much longer, and makes it more convenient for parents because they can simply shift their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position when their child is no longer in the position.

The Graco 4Ever Convertible Car Seat provides your child 10 years of car seat use with just one seat, from rear-facing infant (4-40 lbs) to forward-facing 5-point harness with high-back booster (30-100 lb) to backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 lb). It is simple and easy to install with the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the headrest and harness together, without re-threading.

Convenience

A forward facing infant car seat is a fantastic option when you're traveling with a young child. It lets you see your child's face while driving and allows everyone else in the family to ride in the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. This type of car seat can also be used with a stroller, making it easier to get your child into and out of the car for trips to the grocery store or other chores.

Even if your child has reached the age that they are able to switch to a car seat that is facing forward, it is safer to keep them in a rear-facing position as long as you are able to. From the perspective of crash tests, a child's head is better protected in a crash if they face backwards. This is because the entire body -- including the head, neck, and torso is supported by the back of the car seat when they're facing in this direction.

You'll want to check the instructions of the manufacturer to determine the best time to turn your child's car seat around. They will often have an upper weight and height limit that you should not go over and also specific rules for things like the crotch buckle's position. These limits are designed to protect your child's health as they develop.

Another thing to take into consideration is whether you own a vehicle that has Tether anchors for your car seat. If you do, make sure that the tether strap is properly installed and tied to the vehicle's anchor points as per the instructions in the seat's manual. Last but not least, ensure that the shoulder straps of the harness of your child are at or just below their shoulders, and not too low or high. This can affect how they're restrained during the event of 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 one-stop car seat that can start with an infant car seat facing rear and then transition your child to a forward-facing position when they're old enough and have reached the height or weight limit of the rear-facing car seat.

Style

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

While the idea of having your child face forward is exciting, there are several important safety considerations to keep in mind. Kids should remain rear facing until they reach the maximum height and weight limits for their particular car seat.

You should also be aware that children are different in terms of size and age therefore you shouldn't base the decision to change to a forward-facing car seat on some specific date on the calendar, or if they've reached their limit of legroom. It might appear that a child is bigger in a rear facing car seat, however this doesn't mean it's safe to turn your child around. Their spine and bones haven't yet fully developed.

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

In addition to being safe and secure, many infant car seats have useful features that make them easy to use. Some of these include bases that snap in and out of the car, allowing you to carry your baby from the car to a stroller and back. They are usually part of an overall travel infant car seat system.

If you're ready to move your baby into forward-facing convertible car seats ensure that you do so correctly by following the manufacturer's guidelines and examining the car seat for tightness. When installed properly the car seat should not move more than one inch side to side or front to back and the harness straps should be placed at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have 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.