5 Laws That Can Help The Forward Facing Infant Car Seat Industry Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children under one year are not allowed to ride forward-facing. In a crash, their neck muscles that are weak can stretch and cause serious injury.

Switch to FF instead of FF when your child is at their current seat's maximum weight or height (or the minimum 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 also stops your child from slamming their head against the back of the seat which could cause serious injuries.

All forward-facing infant car seats have five-point harnesses to hold the child in place with just one pull tightening, and the shell of the car seat is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam that provides improved protection from impact. Some also have an umbrella to protect 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 falling over in a collision. The seat also has the top tether strap, which is attached to the top of the car seat. It then hooks to the tether anchor within your vehicle. It's important to keep it in mind that your child may not require switching to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the top weight and height allowed listed in the instruction manual for the seat you are using.

When your child reaches 20 lbs and a year old is over, it's time to change. Toddlers and babies under one year old have loose, soft neck muscles that can cause whiplash when they are in the event of a crash. They are more likely to suffer 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 heads.

When children transition to a forward-facing car seat, they still require a convertible or an all-in-one seat that has a heavy rearward weight and height limit. They should not be moved to a booster seat until they meet the high back or backless booster seat age and height requirements, which usually means about age 4 or 5. These crash videos will show you the differences between carseats. But keep in mind that the video has been slowed. Children can be injured when they move too fast.

Comfort

A forward-facing infant car seat keeps your child safe and comfortable in the event of an accident. The seat comes with a soft headrest and body support cushion as well as an EPS energy-absorbing shell that helps shield your child from the impact. The seat also features a five-point harness with easy one-pull tightening, and an adjustable front center adjuster that ensures your child is in the right position. A retractable sun canopy will shield your child from the sun. For your safety, the seat is designed to be locked by the vehicle's seat belt and includes an adjustable clip that holds the latch buckle secure when not in use.

If your baby complains of discomfort or seems to slump forward while sleeping it could be because the angle of the car seat is too low. This can be fixed by placing a tightly rolled towel on the front of your car seat. If this doesn't help then 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 aren't yet ready to face forward until they are at least 20 pounds AND one year old (their necks aren't strong enough 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 taking longer to wait because the bones and muscles of children are more malleable.

Many parents opt to purchase a convertible seat which allows their infants to travel rear-facing until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of the seat. This lets them enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing car seat for much longer and is easier for parents as they can easily move their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position once their child is no longer in the position.

The Graco 4Ever Convertible Car seat is a convertible 4-in-1 car seat that allows your child to use the seat for a period of 10 years. It can be converted from a rear-facing infant (up to 40 pounds) to a forward-facing harness as well as a high-back seat (30-100 lbs) as well as a backless belt-positioning seat (40-120 lbs). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to set up. You can move the headrest and harness together without the need to re-thread.

Convenience

If you are traveling with a small baby, a forward-facing infant car seat is an excellent choice. It lets you view your child's face while driving and allows all of your family members to enter the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. The type of car seat can be used with strollers which makes it easier to get your child in and out of the car when you go to the shop or running chores.

Even if your child has reached the age where they can change to a car seat that faces forward, it is safer to keep them in a rear-facing seat for as long as you are able to. From the perspective of crash tests, children's head is more secure in a crash if they are facing backwards. This is due to the fact that the entire body -- including the head as well as neck and torso is held by the back of the car seat when they face in this direction.

It is important to read the manufacturer's instructions for when you can turn your child's car seat around. You will find that they have a maximum height and weight limit, as well as specific rules regarding things such as the crotch strap's location. These limits are meant to ensure your child's safety as they grow.

car seats newborn should also consider whether your vehicle is equipped with tether anchors. If so, make sure that the tether is correctly connected to the anchor points of your vehicle according to the directions in the manual. Also, you should make sure that the harness shoulder straps are placed at or just above your child's shoulders and not too high or low because this can affect the way they are restrained in an accident.

A convertible car seat is a good option for parents with multiple children or who plan to have more children. This is a complete car seat that can start by being a rear-facing infant car seat, then move your child to a forward-facing seat when they are old enough and have reached the weight or height limit for the rear-facing position in the car seat.

Style

You've put in a lot of time and effort deciding on the best baby car seat for your child. As they grow older and start outgrowing their infant car seat, you might be wondering if it's time to change them.

While the idea of having your child face forward can be thrilling, there are important safety considerations you must keep in mind. Children should remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight of their car seat and height limits.

Be aware that children differ in size and age. You shouldn't base your decision on a certain date on the calendar, or if you think they have reached their maximum legroom. It might appear that a child is taller in a rear facing car seat, but this doesn't mean it's safe to turn them around. Their bones and spine aren't fully developed.


Some infant car seats come with an alarm that reminds that your child to remain rear-facing until they're one year old. This is due to the fact that children under one year old do not have enough neck muscles to take a direct hit which could result in serious spinal injuries.

In addition to being safe, many infant car seats come with practical features that make them easy to use. Some of them have bases that snap in and out of the car, allowing you to carry your baby from the car to a stroller and back. They are often part an overall travel system.

If you're about to transition your child's rear-facing convertible seat to a forward facing one, make sure you adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer and verify the fit of the car seat. The car seat should not move more than one inch from side to side or front to rear, when installed correctly. The harness straps should also be at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to an accredited car seat safety technician in your area or contact the manufacturer of your car seat.