10 Things You Learned From Kindergarden That Will Help You With Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children under one year shouldn't ride facing in the direction of forward. In a crash, their neck muscles that are weak can stretch and cause serious injury.
Instead, switch to FF when your child is at the weight or height limits of the seat they are currently in (or the minimums for the new seat). Check the instructions for your car seat carefully.
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 hard back of the seat which can cause serious injuries.
All infant car seats with a forward-facing view have five-point harnesses to ensure the child's safety with just one pull tightening. Additionally, the shell of the car seat is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for enhanced impact protection. Some come with an umbrella that protects from the sun.
The best infant car seats include an angle indicator as well as an adjustable angle adjuster which allows you to set the correct angle of your child's head to prevent them from flopping over in a collision. The top tether strap is attached to the tether anchor of the vehicle and extends from the top. It is important to keep in the mind that your child may not require a switch to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the top weight and height limit that is stated in the instruction manual for the seat you're using.
When your child reaches 20 pounds and one year old is the right time to switch. Babies and toddlers under one year old have loose, soft neck muscles which can result in whiplash during a crash. They are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries when they travel in a frontal crash (the most common and severe type). If children under the age of 1 are rear-facing their head is protected by the car seat and shielded from sudden movements that can strain their necks.
When children transition to an forward-facing car seat they should still use a convertible seat or an all-in-one that has a high rear-facing weight and a height limit. They shouldn't be pushed to a booster seat until they reach the high back or backless booster seat age and height requirement, which usually means around age 4 or 5. You can notice the differences in these car seats when you watch these crash videos however, remember that the video is reduced in speed. If a child moves too fast, they could be injured.
Comfort
A forward facing infant car seat allows your baby to ride comfortably and remain safe during an accident. The seat features a soft headrest and body support cushion as well as an EPS energy-absorbing shell that helps ensure your child is safe from any collision. The seat also comes with five-point harnesses with simple one-pull tightening and an adjustable front center adjuster to ensure your child is correctly positioned. A retractable canopy protects your baby from the sunlight. For safety the seat is designed to be locked to the seat belt of your vehicle and includes an locking clip that keeps the latch buckle secure when not in use.
If your child complains of discomfort or appears to slump forward while sleeping, it may be because the angle of the car seat is too low. You can correct this by placing tightly folded towels on the front of the car seat to lift it up more. If this doesn't help then you can bring your baby to Rockridge Kids to have us examine the angle of their carseat.
Remember 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 stand up to the force of a crash in the event that they fall forward on their own. Some experts suggest staying a bit longer, since the muscles and bones of young children are more malleable.
Many parents opt to purchase a convertible car seat that allows their children to travel in a rear-facing position until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of the seat. This allows parents to enjoy the benefits a rear-facing seat for a longer period 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 4-in-1 convertible car seat that allows your child to use the seat for a period of 10 years. It converts from rear-facing infant (up to 40lbs) to a forward-facing harness as well as a high-back seat (30-100 lb), to a backless belt-positioning seat (40-120 lb). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to put in. You can move the harness and headrest together without re-threading.
Convenience
A forward-facing infant car seat is a fantastic option when you're traveling with a young child. It allows you to watch your child while driving and the rest of your family members can enter the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. This type of car seat can be used with a stroller, making it easier to get your toddler in and out of your car for trips to the supermarket or other tasks.
Even even if your child is the age that they are able to change their car seat to one that faces forward it is best to keep them in a rear-facing position for the duration you can. From the perspective of crash tests, a child’s head is more secure in a crash if they face backwards. This is because when facing backwards the entire body, including the neck, head and torso, are cradled in the car seat's rear.
Check the instructions of the manufacturer to determine how you can rotate the seat of your child. They will often have an upper weight and height limit you should not go over as well as specific rules for things like crotch buckles. These restrictions are designed to protect your child's safety as they grow.
It is also important to consider whether your vehicle comes with Tether anchors. If yes, ensure that the tether is connected to your vehicle's anchor points as per the instructions in the manual. The last thing to do is make sure that the shoulder straps of the harness of your child are at or below their shoulders, and not too high or low. This can affect how they're restrained during an accident.
A good choice for parents who have more than one child or plan to have more is convertible car seats. It is a convertible car seat that can be used as a rear-facing infant car seat and then converted to a forward-facing seat once your child has reached the weight limit or height of the rear-facing position.
Style
The car seat for your baby was a must-have for your baby, and you spent a lot of time choosing the right one. But as they get older and begin to outgrow their car seat for infants you might be wondering if it's the right time to switch them around.
While the idea of letting your baby face forward may be thrilling, there are important safety considerations you should keep in mind. Children should be rear-facing until they reach the maximum height and weight limit for their particular car seat.
You should also be aware that children differ in terms of size and age therefore you shouldn't base on when you should switch to forward-facing on some specific date on the calendar or if they've reached their maximum legroom. It may seem that a child is bigger in a rear facing car seat, but that does not mean that it's safe to turn the child around. Their bones and spine aren't fully developed.
car seat newborn insert have an alarm built-in to remind you to keep your child facing rear until they're at least one year old. This is due to the fact that children younger than one don't have strong enough neck muscles to withstand the whiplash of a frontal collision which can result in serious spinal injuries.
Many infant car seats aren't just safe, but also easy to use. These include bases that stay connected to the car and snap out and in to allow you to carry your child from car to stroller or back again and often with a frame stroller to form part of the travel system.
If you are ready to switch your child from a rear-facing convertible seat to a forward facing one, ensure that you adhere to all the instructions given by the manufacturer. Also, make sure you check the fit of the car seat. When installed properly, the car seat shouldn't move more than one inch from side to side or 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 regarding the installation of your car seat, call a certified safety technician in your locality or the car seat manufacturer.