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Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat Children younger than one year shouldn't ride facing towards the forward. In the event of a crash, their weak neck muscles could be stretched and cause serious injuries. Switch to FF instead when your child reaches the maximum weight of their current seat or height (or the minimum requirement for a new car seat). Follow the directions for your car seat carefully. Safety Infant car seats are made to safeguard the head and neck of your child in the event of an accident. The forward facing position also stops your child from slamming their head against the back of the seat, which can cause serious injuries. All forward-facing infant car seats have five-point harnesses to ensure the child's safety with just one pull tightening. Additionally, the carrier shell is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam that provides better protection against impact. Some have a canopy to provide shade from the sun. The best infant car seats will have an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster which lets you set the correct angle of your child's head to prevent the car seat from slipping 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 and hooks to the tether anchor within your vehicle. It is important to remember that you may not need to switch your child to a forward facing car seat until he / attains the maximum weight and height specified in the instruction manual for the seat. When your child reaches 20 pounds and one year old, it's time to change. 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. They are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries when they travel in a frontal collision (the most frequent and severe type). If children under the age of 1 are riding backwards their head is protected by the car seat and protected from sudden movements that can strain their necks. If children are moving to a forward-facing car seat, they still need a convertible or an all in-one that has a heavy rearward weight and height limit. They shouldn't be moved to a booster seat until they meet the high back or backless booster seat age and height requirements typically around age 4 or 5. These crash videos will show you the differences between the carseats. However, keep in mind that the footage has been slowed down. A child could be injured if they move too quickly. Comfort A forward facing infant car seat allows your infant to ride comfortably and remain safe during an accident. The seat has a soft headrest, a cushion for body support, and an EPS energy-absorbing foam shell that will keep your child safe from a collision. The seat comes with five points of safety harness that can be adjusted with one pull and a center front adjuster. This will ensure your child is positioned correctly. A retractable canopy shields your child from sun. For safety the seat is designed to be secured by the vehicle's seat belt and comes with an locking clip that keeps the buckle securely fastened when not in use. If your child complains of discomfort or seems to slump forward during sleep, it may be because the angle of the car seat is too low. You can correct this by placing tightly rolled towels on the front of the car seat to lift it higher. If this still doesn't help then you can bring your child to Rockridge Kids to have us assess the angle of their carseat. infant car seats best is vital to keep in mind that children are not ready to stand up and face forward until they weigh at minimum 20 pounds AND one year old (their necks aren't sturdy enough to withstand a force that is applied to them in a crash should they fall forward on their own). Some experts recommend waiting even longer, as the bones and muscles of young children are more flexible than those of adults. Many parents opt to purchase a convertible car seat which allows their infants to travel backwards until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of the seat. This allows them to benefit from the advantages of a rear-facing car seat for much longer, and also makes it easier for parents as they can simply move their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position once their child has outgrown 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 10 years. It can be converted from 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 an unbelt-positioning seat that is backless (40-120 lb). It's simple and easy to install with the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the harness and headrest in tandem, without having to re-thread. Convenience When traveling with a young baby, a forward-facing car seat is a great choice. This lets you see your child while driving and the rest of your family can get into the car without disturbing your toddler or baby. The car seat can be used in conjunction with strollers, making it much easier to get your child in and out of the car when going to the store or doing other errands. Even if your child has reached the age at which they can switch to a car seat that is forward-facing it is better to keep them in a rear-facing seat for the duration you can. If you view it from the standpoint of crash test results, a child's head is more secure in a frontal crash when they are facing backwards. This is because when they are facing backwards the entire body, including the head, neck and torso, is cradled in the rear of the car seat. Check the instructions of the manufacturer to determine when you can rotate the seat of your child. They will often have the weight and height limit you shouldn't exceed and also specific rules for things like crotch buckles. These limits are intended to ensure your child's safety as they grow. It is also important to consider whether your vehicle is equipped with anchors for tethers. If yes, ensure that the tether is fitted and connected to your vehicle's anchor points according to the directions in the manual. The last thing to do is make sure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are on or below their shoulders, and not too high or low. This can affect how they're secured during an accident. A convertible car seat is a good option for parents with several children or who are planning to have more. It is a one-stop car seat that starts off being used as an infant car seat that faces rearwards and then transition your child to a forward-facing seat once they are old enough and have reached the weight or height limit for the rear-facing car seat. Style You've spent a lot of time and effort deciding on the perfect baby car seat for your child. However, as they age and begin to outgrow their car seat for infants you might be wondering if it's the right time to flip them around. While the idea of having your child face forward is exciting, there are several important safety factors to consider. Kids should remain in the rear until they reach the maximum height and weight limit for their particular car seat. Be aware that children differ in both size and age. You shouldn't base your decision solely on a particular date on the calendar or if you think that they have reached their maximum length. It may appear that a child is bigger in a rear facing car seat, but this does not mean that it is safe to turn the child around. Their spine and bones haven't yet fully developed. It's recommended that you keep your child rear facing until they reach one year old. some infant car seats have an integrated reminder to keep them 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 that could cause serious spinal injuries. In addition to being safe in addition to being safe, many infant car seats are equipped with convenient features that make them simple to use. These include bases that stay attached to the car and snap out and in to let you carry your child from stroller to car or back again, and they often pair with a frame stroller to form part of the travel system. If you're about to transition your baby into a forward-facing convertible car seat ensure that you follow all of the manufacturer's instructions and checking the car seat for tightness. If it's installed correctly the car seat shouldn't move more than one inch side to side or front to back, and the harness straps should be positioned at or over the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to a certified car seat safety technician in your area or call the manufacturer of the car seat.