Blog entry by Ned Finckh
Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children younger than one year old should not ride in a forward-facing. In a crash their neck muscles that are weak could be stretched and cause serious injuries.
Instead, switch to FF at the time your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit of the seat they are currently in (or the minimums for the new seat). Please review your car seat instructions.
Safety
In the event of a crash, infant car seats are designed to protect the neck and head of your child. The forward-facing position also stops your child from slamming their head against the back of the seat which could cause serious injuries.
All infant car seats that face forward have five point harnesses that ensure the child's safety with just one pull, tightening the strap. the shell of the car is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam that provides better impact protection. Some have a canopy that provides shade from the sun.
The best infant car seats will feature an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster that allows you to determine the ideal 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 attached to the tether anchor on the vehicle and is positioned from the top. You should keep in mind that you might not have to change your child's seat to a forward facing car seat until he / attains the maximum weight and height as stated in the manual of the seat.
It's time to switch when your child weighs 20 pounds and one year. Children and toddlers younger than one year have soft, loose muscles in their necks that could cause whiplash if they are involved in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most severe and common kind) they are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries. When kids under 1 year ride rear-facing their head is protected by the car seat and protected from sudden movements that can strain their necks.
If children are moving to an forward-facing car seat they should use a convertible or all-in-one seat that has a high rear-facing weight and a height limit. They should not be moved to a booster seat until they have met the high back or backless booster seat age and height requirements, which usually means around age 4 or 5. These crash videos will help you understand the differences between carseats. But keep in mind that the video has been slowed down. If a kid moves too quickly, they can be injured.
Comfort
A forward-facing infant car seats keeps your baby safe and comfortable in the event of an accident. The seat features a soft headrest and a body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing cover to ensure your child is safe from any impacts. The seat also comes with five-point harnesses that are easy to use with one-pull tightening, and an adjustable front center adjuster that ensures your child is correctly positioned. A retractable sun canopy can shield your child from the sun. For safety the seat is designed to be secured with the vehicle's seat belt and comes with an locking clip that keeps the latch buckle securely fastened when not in use.
If your infant complains of discomfort while traveling or seems to slump forward when they sleep or sleeping, the angle of the seat could be too low for them. This can be fixed by placing tightly rolled towel underneath the front of your car seat. If this still doesn't help, you can bring your baby to Rockridge Kids to have us assess the angle of their car seat.
It is important to remember that children are not ready to stand up and face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds and one year old (their necks aren't sturdy enough to withstand a force applied to them in a crash in the event of falling forward on their own). Some experts suggest waiting longer because the bones and muscles of young children are more flexible.
Many parents choose to buy a convertible car seat that allows their babies to travel rearward-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limits. This allows them to enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing car seat longer and is more convenient for parents because they can simply shift their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position once their child has outgrown it.
The Graco 4Ever Convertible Car seat is a four-in-one convertible car seat that allows your child to use the seat for a period of 10 years. It converts from rear-facing good infant car seats (up to 40 lbs) to a forward-facing harness and high-back seat (30-100 lbs) as well as a belt-positioning backless seat (40-120 lb). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to put in. You can move the headrest and harness together without re-threading.
Convenience
A forward facing infant car seat (full report) is a great option for traveling with a child who is young. It allows you to watch your child while driving and the rest of your family members can get into the car without disturbing your toddler or baby. The car seat 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 shop or running chores.
Even even if your child is the age where they can change to a car seat that is forward-facing it is best car seats for newborns to keep them in a rear-facing position for 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 are facing backwards. This is due to the fact that when facing backwards the entire body including the neck, head and torso is held in the rear of the car seat.
You'll want to check the instructions of the manufacturer to determine when you can change the car seat of your child around. You'll see that they have a maximum height and weight limit, and also specific rules about things like the crotch strap's position. These limits are designed to protect your child as they grow.
Another thing to take into consideration is whether you own an automobile with Tether anchors for your car seat. If yes, you must make sure that the strap is correctly installed and connected to the anchor points of your vehicle according to the instruction in the seat's manual. Also, you should ensure that the shoulder straps of your harness are placed at or just above the shoulders of your child and not too high or low in order to affect how well they are secured in a crash.
A convertible car seat is a smart option for parents with more than one child or who intend to have more. It is a convertible car seat that can be used as an infant rear-facing car seat and then moved to a forward-facing seat once your child reaches the height or weight limits of the rear-facing position.
Style
You've put in a lot of time and effort in choosing the perfect baby car seat for your child. As your child gets older and outgrows their infant car seat, you might wonder if it's time to flip the seat around.
While the idea of facing your child 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.
Keep in mind that children vary in both size and age. You shouldn't base your decision on a certain date on the calendar, or if you believe they have reached their maximum length. A child might appear larger in a rear-facing car seat, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's safe to turn around, as their bones and spine haven't fully developed.
It is recommended that you keep your child facing rearwards until they are at least one year old, and certain infant car seats come with an integrated reminder to ensure they remain there. This is because children under one year old do not have enough neck muscles that can be able to withstand a collision with a frontal force, which could result in serious spinal injuries.
Many infant car seats aren't just safe, but they are also simple to use. They include bases that are attached to the car and snap in and out to allow you to transport your child from car to stroller or back and often with a frame stroller to form part of an overall travel system.
If you're about to transition your baby into forward-facing convertible car seats make sure you do so correctly by following all of the manufacturer's instructions and examining the car seat for tightness. The car seat shouldn't move more than one inch from side to side or front to rear when it is installed correctly. The harness straps should also be at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns ask a certified car seat safety technician in your area or contact the manufacturer of the car seat.