Do Not Believe In These “Trends” About Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat Children under one year should not ride in a forward-facing. In the event of a crash, their weak neck muscles can stretch and cause serious injuries. Switch to FF instead of FF once your child is at their current seat's maximum weight or height (or the minimum requirement for a new car seat). Follow the directions for your car seat carefully. Safety In the event of a crash, infant car seats are designed to protect your child's neck and head. 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 forward-facing infant seats feature five-point harnesses that ensure the child's safety by simply pulling the straps. The shell of the carrier is lined with energy-absorbing EPS to provide better protection against impact. Some also have an umbrella to protect from the sun. The best infant car seats will have an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster which lets you set the correct angle of your child's head in order to prevent the car seat from slipping over in a collision. The top tether strap is connected to the vehicle's tether anchor and is positioned from the top. It is important to keep in the mind that your child may not require switching to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight and height allowed listed in the instruction manual of the seat you're using. When your child reaches 20 lbs and one year, it's time to make the switch. Toddlers and babies under one year old have loose, soft neck muscles which can result in whiplash during the event of a crash. best car seat infant are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries when they are in a frontal crash (the most common and severe type). Rear-facing car seats shield the neck of children under one year old by cushioning their head. If children are moving to a forward-facing car seat they should remain in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that has a strong rear-facing weight and a height limit. They shouldn't be pushed to a booster seat until they have met the high back or backless booster seat age and height requirements which is usually around age 4 or 5. It is evident the difference in these car seats when you look at these crash videos, however, remember that the footage is reduced in speed. Children can be injured when they move too fast. Comfort A forward facing infant car seat allows your infant to ride comfortably and stay secure during a crash. The seat features a soft cushion for the headrest and body and an EPS energy-absorbing shell to shield your child from the collision. The seat also features five-point harnesses that are easy to use with one-pull tightening, and an adjustable front center adjuster that ensures your child is in the right position. A retractable sun canopy can shield your child from the sun. To ensure safety, the seat is designed to be locked with the vehicle's seat belt and has an adjustable clip that holds the latch buckle securely fastened when not in use. If your baby complains about discomfort or appears to be slouching forward while sleeping It could be due to the angle of the car seat is too low. This can be corrected by placing a towel that is tightly folded on the front of your car seat. If this doesn't work you can take your child to Rockridge Kids to have us assess the angle of their carseat. Keep in mind that children shouldn't face forward until they weigh at minimum 20 pounds and are a year old. Their necks are still not strong enough to withstand the force of a crash in the event that they fall forward on their own. Some experts recommend waiting even longer, as the muscles and bones of young children are more malleable than those of adults. Many parents opt to purchase a convertible car seat that allows their babies to move rearwards until they reach maximum weight or height limits. This lets parents benefit from the advantages of a rear-facing seat for a longer amount of time. It is also easier for parents as they can easily switch their child's position from forward-facing to rear-facing when the child grows out of it. The 4Ever Convertible Car Seat from Graco is a convertible 4-in-1 car seat that lets your child use the seat for up to 10 years. It can be converted from rear-facing infant (up to 40 pounds) to a forward-facing harness as well as a high-back seats (30-100 lbs) and then to a backless belt-positioning seat (40-120 lb). It is simple and easy to set up using 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 an excellent option for traveling with a young child. This lets you see your child as you drive and the rest of your family can enter the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. The type of car seat can be used in conjunction with strollers, making it easier to get your child into and out of the car when you go to the store or running other tasks. However that even if your child is old enough to transition to an forward-facing car seat, it's better to keep them rear-facing for as long as is possible. When you consider it from the standpoint of crash test results, a child's head is more protected in a frontal collision when they are facing backwards. This is because when facing backwards the entire body, including the head, neck and torso, is cradled in the rear of the car seat. You'll want to check the manufacturer's instructions for how to turn your child's car seat around. You will find that they have a maximum height and weight limit, and also specific guidelines regarding things like the crotch strap's position. These rules are designed to protect your child's health as they grow. You should also consider whether your vehicle is equipped with tether anchors. If yes, you must make sure the tether strap is properly installed and connected to the vehicle's anchor points according to the instruction in the seat's manual. Last but not least, make sure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are at or just below their shoulders, and not too high or low. This can affect how they're restrained during an accident. An excellent option for parents with multiple children or are planning to have more, is a convertible car seat. This is a complete car seat that can start off being used as a rear-facing infant car seat, 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 position of the car seat. Style The car seat for your baby was a must-have item for your child, and you spent many hours deciding the right one. As your child grows older and outgrows their infant car seat, you may wonder if it is time to flip the seat around. While the idea of facing your child forward is thrilling, there are a few important safety factors to consider. Children should remain rear-facing until they reach their car seat's maximum weight and height limitations. Be aware that children differ in terms of size and age therefore, you shouldn't decide when to switch to forward-facing on some specific date on the calendar or when they've reached their legroom limit. It may appear that a child is larger in a rear facing car seat, but this does not mean that it's safe to turn your child around. Their spine and bones haven't yet fully developed. Some infant car seats have an alarm that reminds that your child to remain facing rear until they're at least one year old. This is because children under one don't have strong enough neck muscles to withstand the whiplash of a frontal collision, which can cause serious spinal injuries. Many infant car seats aren't just safe, but they are also simple to use. Some of these include bases that snap into and out of the car and allow you to transport your baby from the car to a stroller and back. They are typically part of the travel system. If you're ready to move your baby into forward-facing convertible car seats make sure you do it correctly by following all the instructions of the manufacturer and examining the car seat for tightness. If it's installed correctly the car seat shouldn't move more than 1 inch from side to side or from front to back, and the harness straps must be placed at or above your child's shoulders. If you have any concerns or questions you should talk to a certified safety technician in your area or call the manufacturer of the car seat.