Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children younger than one year are NOT supposed to ride in a forward-facing. In a crash, their weak neck muscles can stretch and cause serious injury.
Instead, switch to FF when your child is at the height or weight maximums of the seat they are currently in (or the minimums required for a new seat). Check the instructions for your car seat carefully.
Safety
In the event of a crash, infant car seats are designed to protect your child's head and neck. The forward-facing position can also prevent your child from hitting their head on the hard back of the car seat, which could cause serious injuries.
All infant car seats with a forward-facing view have five point harnesses that secure the child with one pull tightening, and the carrier shell is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam that provides better protection against impact. Some models have an umbrella that protects from the sun.
The best infant carseats will include an angle indicator as well as an adjustable angle adjuster that allows you to set the correct angle of your child's head to prevent them from flopping over in the event of a collision. The seat also has the top tether strap, which is attached to the top of the car seat. It then hooks onto the tether anchor in your vehicle. It's important to keep in mind that your child may not need to switch to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight and height allowed listed in the instruction manual for the seat you are using.
When your child reaches 20 pounds and one year old is the right time to change. Toddlers and babies under one year old have loose, soft neck muscles which can result in whiplash during an accident. In frontal collisions (the most severe and frequent kind), they are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries. Rear-facing car seats protect the necks of infants under one year old by cushioning their heads.
When children transition to a forward-facing car seat they should remain in a convertible or all-in-one seat that has a strong rear-facing weight and height limit. They shouldn't be moved to an adult car seat until they reach the high back or backless booster seat age and height requirements typically about age 4 or 5. These crash videos will demonstrate the differences between the carseats. But remember, the footage has been slowed. A child can be injured in the event that they move too fast.
Comfort
A forward-facing infant car seat will keep your baby safe and comfortable during an accident. The seat features a soft headrest, a body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing foam shell that will ensure your child's safety from a collision. The seat also has a five-point harness with easy one-pull tightening and an adjustable front center adjuster that ensures your child is correctly positioned. A retractable canopy shields your child from direct sunlight. To ensure 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 infant complains of discomfort during a trip or seems to lean forward when they sleep the seat's angle might be too low for the child. This can be fixed by placing a towel that is tightly folded on the front of your car seat. 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 are not ready to face forward until they weigh at minimum 20 pounds and one year old (their necks are not strong enough yet to withstand a force that would be applied to them in a crash in the event of falling forward on their own). Some experts recommend waiting even longer, as the muscles and bones of young children are more flexible than those of adults.
Many parents choose to buy convertible car seats that allows their children to travel rearward-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limits. This allows parents to enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing seat for a longer period of time. It also makes it easier for parents as they can easily switch their child's seat from rear-facing to forward-facing when their child is out of it.
The Graco 4Ever Convertible car seat is a four-in-one convertible car seat that allows your child to use the seat for 10 years. It converts from rear-facing infant car seat best (up to 40 pounds) to a forward-facing harness as well as a high-back seat (30-100 lb), to a backless belt-positioning seat (40-120 lbs). It's simple and easy to set up using the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the harness and headrest together, without re-threading.
Convenience
If you are traveling with a small baby, a forward-facing car seat can be an excellent choice. This lets you see your child's face while driving and the rest of your family can enter the car without disturbing your toddler or baby. This type of car seat can be used with strollers, making it easier to get your child into and out of the car for trips to the supermarket or other chores.
But remember that even if your child is old enough to move to an forward-facing car seat, it's safer to keep them rear-facing the longest time possible. If you view it from the standpoint of crash tests, children's head is more protected in a frontal collision when they are facing backwards. This is because the entire body -- head as well as neck and torso is supported by the seat's back when they are facing in this direction.
Check the instructions of the manufacturer to determine the time you can rotate the seat of your child. They usually have the weight and height limit that you shouldn't exceed and also specific rules regarding things like crotch buckles. These guidelines are designed to safeguard your child as they develop.
You should also think about whether your vehicle has tether anchors. If yes, you must make sure that the strap is properly fitted and tied to the anchor points of your vehicle as per the instructions in the seat's manual. Also, you should make sure that the shoulder straps of your harness are just above your child's shoulders and not too high or low in order to affect the way they are restrained in an accident.
A great option for parents with several children or are planning to have more children is convertible car seats. It is a one-stop car seat that can start by being an infant car seat that faces rearwards before moving your child to a forward-facing position when they are old enough and have reached the height or weight limit of the rear-facing position in the car seat.
Style
The car seat for your baby was a must for your baby and you've spent many hours deciding the best one. As they grow older and start outgrowing their infant car seat, you might be wondering if it's the right time to change them.
While the idea of letting your child face forward can be exciting, there are some important safety considerations that you should keep in mind. Children should be rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight of their car seat and height limits.
Be aware that children are different in size and age, so you should never base the decision to change to a forward-facing car seat on some specific date on the calendar or if they've reached their legroom limit. It might appear that a child is taller in a rear facing car seat, however this doesn't mean it is safe to turn your child around. Their spine and bones haven't yet fully developed.
Some infant car seats come with an alarm that reminds that your child to remain rear-facing 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 force of a collision with a car in front, which can cause serious spinal injuries.
Many infant car seats aren't just secure, but also simple to use. These include bases that remain attached to the car and snap in and out to let you carry your baby from stroller to car and back again and are often paired with a frame stroller to form part of a travel system.
If you are ready to switch your baby from a rear-facing convertible seat to a forward-facing one, ensure that you adhere to all the instructions given by the manufacturer and check the tightness of the Kinderkraft I-Grow 360° Car Seat - Safety & Comfort seat. The car seat shouldn't move more than an inch from side to side or front to rear, when installed correctly. The harness straps must also be 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 locality or the manufacturer of your car seat.