Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

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

Instead, switch to FF at the time your child reaches the weight or height limits of their current seat (or the minimums for a new seat). Please read your car seat instructions.

Safety

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

All forward-facing portable infant car seat car seats (find out here) 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 enhanced protection from impact. Some have a canopy that provides shade from the sun.

The best infant car seats will have an adjustable angle adjuster and an angle indicator. This allows you to determine the right angle for your child's neck in order to avoid it falling over in a collision. The top tether strap is attached to the tether anchor on the vehicle and comes 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 he or attains the maximum weight and height as stated in the manual for the seat.

When your child reaches 20 lbs and a year old is the right time to switch. Infants and toddlers younger than one year old have soft, loose neck muscles which can result in whiplash during a crash. They are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries when they are in a frontal crash (the most common and severe type). When kids under 1 year are backwards their heads are cushioned 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 use a convertible or all-in-one seat that has a high rear-facing weight and height limit. They shouldn't be moved to a booster seat until they reach the high back or backless booster age and height requirements for the seat which is usually about age 4 or 5. You can see the difference in these seats when you look at these crash videos, but keep in mind that the video is reduced in speed. A child could be injured in the event that they move too fast.

Comfort

A forward-facing infant car seat allows your child to enjoy a comfortable ride and remain safe during a crash. The seat has a soft headrest, a cushion for body support and an EPS energy-absorbing foam shell that will keep your child safe from impact. The seat also has five-point harnesses with simple one-pull tightening, and an adjustable front center adjuster to ensure your child is correctly positioned. A retractable sun canopy will protect your child from the sun. The seat can be secured to the vehicle seat belt for security. 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 seems to lean forward during sleep or sleeping, the seat's angle could be too low for your child. You can fix this by putting tightly rolled towels underneath 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 check the angle of the car seat.

It is vital to keep in mind that children aren't yet ready to take on the world until they are at least 20 pounds AND one year old (their necks are not strong enough to withstand a force that is applied to them by a collision should they fall forward on their own). Some experts suggest staying a bit longer, since the muscles and bones of children are more flexible.

Many parents choose to purchase a convertible car seat that lets their infants travel rearward-facing until they reach maximum weight or height limits. This allows parents to benefit from the advantages of a rear-facing seat for a longer amount of time. It also makes 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 4Ever Convertible Car Seat from Graco is a 4-in-1 convertible car seat that lets your child use the seat for up to 10 years. It converts from rear-facing infant (up to 40 lbs) to a forward-facing harness as well as a high-back seats (30-100 lbs) as well as an unbelt-positioning seat that is backless (40-120 lbs). It is simple and easy to install with the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the harness and headrest together, with no re-threading.

Convenience

A forward-facing infant car seats that swivel car seat is an excellent option if you're traveling with a toddler. It lets you see your child's face while driving and allows everyone else in the family to enter the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. This type of car seat can also be used with strollers which makes it easier to carry your little one in and out of the car to go to the store for groceries or other tasks.

Even when your child is at the age at which they can 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. From the point of view of crash tests, a child's head is safer in the event of a crash if they are facing backwards. This is because the whole body -- head, neck, and torso -- is cradled by the car seat's back when they're facing in this direction.

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

Another thing to consider is if you have a vehicle that has Tether anchors for your car seat. If you do, make sure the strap is properly fitted and connected to the anchor points of your vehicle as instructed in the manual of the seat. Also, you should make sure that the harness shoulder straps are placed at or just above your child's shoulders and not too low or high in order to affect how well they are secured in the event of a crash.

A great 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 with an infant car seats that swivel car seat for newborn seat facing rear, then move your child to a forward-facing position when they are old enough and have reached the weight or height limit for the rear-facing position of the car seat.

Style

You've spent a lot of time and effort choosing the best car seat for newborn baby car seat for your child. As your child grows and outgrows their infant car seat, you might wonder if it's time to turn the seat around.

While the idea of having your baby face forward could be exciting, there are some important safety considerations you must keep in mind. Kids should remain in the rear until they reach the maximum height and weight limits for their specific car seat.

You should also be aware that children are very different in size and age, therefore, you shouldn't decide the decision to change to a forward-facing car seat on an exact date on the calendar or if they've reached their legroom limit. A child may appear bigger in a rear-facing car seat but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's safe for turning around, as their spine and bones aren't fully developed.

It's recommended that you keep your child facing rearwards until they are at least one year old. certain infant car seats come with an inbuilt reminder to ensure they remain there. This is because children younger than one don't have enough neck muscles to withstand a frontal impact that could cause serious spinal injuries.

In addition to being secure, many infant car seats are equipped with convenient features that make them easy to use. These include bases that remain in the car and snap out and in to let you carry your baby from stroller to car or back again and are often paired 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 make sure you do it correctly by following all the instructions of the manufacturer and checking the car seat for tightness. When installed properly the car seat shouldn't move more than one inch from side to side or from front to back and the harness straps must be placed at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns about the installation of your car seat, you can contact an approved safety technician in your community or the car seat manufacturer.