How The 10 Worst Forward Facing Infant Car Seat Errors Of All Time Could Have Been Prevented
Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children under one year are NOT supposed to ride in a forward-facing. In the event of a crash, their neck muscles that are weak can stretch and cause serious injury.
Instead, switch to FF at the time your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit of their current seat (or the minimums required for the new seat). Please review your instructions for the car seat.
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 also help prevent your baby from hitting their head on the back of the car seat which could result in serious injuries.
All infant seats that face forward have five-point harnesses, which can secure the child by pulling the straps. The shell of the carrier is lined with energy-absorbing EPS to provide better protection against impact. Some have a canopy that provides shade from the sun.
The best infant car seats have an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster which allows you to determine the ideal angle for your child's head to stop them from falling over in a crash. The top tether strap is attached to the vehicle's tether anchor and comes from the top. It is important to remember that you may not need to move your child from a forward facing car seat until he / attains the maximum weight and height as stated in the instruction manual for the seat.
When your child reaches 20 lbs and a year old is the right time to make the switch. Infants and toddlers younger that one year have soft, loose muscles in their necks, which can cause whiplash if they are involved in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most severe and common type), they are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries. Rear-facing car seats shield the necks of children less than one year old by cushioning their heads.
If children are moving to an forward-facing car seat they should use a convertible or an all-in-one car 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 requirement typically at around the age of 4 or 5. You can notice the differences in these car seats when you watch these crash videos, but keep in mind that the video is slow-motion. If a child is moving too quickly, they can be injured.

Comfort
A forward facing infant car seat allows your infant to enjoy a comfortable ride and be secure in a crash. The seat features a soft headrest, a cushion for body support and an EPS energy-absorbing foam to protect your child from any impact. The seat is equipped with five points of safety harness that can be tightened with a single pull and a front-center adjuster. This will ensure your child is properly positioned. A retractable sun canopy helps shield your baby from the sun. For your safety, the seat is designed to lock by the vehicle's seat belt and includes an locking clip that keeps the buckle securely fastened when not in use.
If your child complains of discomfort or appears to be slouching forward while sleeping it could be because the angle of the car seat is too low. This can be corrected by placing a towel that is tightly folded underneath the front of your car seat. If this isn't working, take your baby to Rockridge Kids and we will test the angle of the car seat.
Remember that children should not face forward until they weigh at 20 pounds and are one year old. Their necks are not strong enough to stand up to the force of a collision in the event that they fall forward on their own. Some experts recommend staying a bit longer, as the bones and muscles of young children are more malleable.
Many parents choose to purchase convertible car seats that allows their babies to be rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limits. This lets them benefit from the advantages of a rear-facing car seat for longer, and also makes it more convenient for parents because they can simply 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 4-in-1 convertible car seat that lets your child use the seat for 10 years. It can be converted from rear-facing infant (up to 40 lbs) to a forward-facing harness as well as a high-back seats (30-100 lb) as well as a backless belt-positioning seat (40-120 lb). It is simple and easy to set up using the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the harness and headrest in tandem, without having to re-thread.
Convenience
If you are traveling with a small baby, a forward-facing infant car seat can be an excellent choice. This lets you see your child's face while driving and the rest of your family members can get into the car without disturbing your toddler or baby. This type of car seats can be used in conjunction with strollers which makes it easier to get your child in and out of the vehicle when you go to the store or running other errands.
Even when your child is at the age where they can change to a car seat that faces forward, it is safer to keep them in a rear-facing position for the duration you can. From the perspective of crash tests, children's head is safer in a crash if they face backwards. This is because when facing backwards the entire body including the head, neck and torso, is cradled in the car seat's rear.
You should check the instructions of the manufacturer to determine the best time to change your child's car seat around. You will find that they have the maximum height and weight limit, as well as specific rules regarding things such as the crotch strap's position. These limits are meant to ensure your child's safety as they develop.
You should also consider whether your vehicle has tether anchors. If yes, you must ensure that the strap is properly fitted and secured to the vehicle's anchor points according to the instruction in the manual for your seat. Additionally, you'll need to ensure that the shoulder straps of your harness are placed at or just above the shoulders of your child and not too low or high because this can affect the way they are secured in a crash.
A convertible car seat is a great choice for parents with more than one child or who intend to have more. This is an all-in-one car seat that can start with an infant car seat facing rear and then transition your child to a forward-facing seat once they are old enough and have reached the height or weight limit for the rear-facing position of the car seat.
Style
The baby car seat was a must-have for your baby and you spent a lot of time choosing the best one. As your child grows and outgrows their infant car seat, you might be wondering if it's time to turn the seat around.
Although the idea of having your baby face forward could be exciting, there are important safety considerations that you should keep in mind. Kids should remain rear facing until they reach the maximum height and weight limit for their particular car seat.
It is important to remember that children are different in terms of size and age, therefore, you shouldn't decide when to switch to forward-facing on an exact date on the calendar or if they've reached their limit of legroom. A child might appear larger in a rear-facing car seat, but that doesn't mean that it's safe for turning them around, as their bones and spine haven't fully developed.
It's recommended that you keep your child rear facing until they are at least one year old, and some infant car seats have a built-in reminder to keep them there. infant car seats cheap 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 that could cause serious spinal injuries.
In addition to being secure and secure, many infant car seats are equipped with useful features that make them simple to use. Some include 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 ready to move your child to forward-facing convertible car seats make sure you do so correctly by following all the instructions of the manufacturer and examining the car seat for tightness. The car seat should not move more than an inch from side to side or front to rear when properly installed. The harness straps should also be at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have any concerns or questions, talk to a certified car seat safety technician in your area or call the car seat manufacturer.