5 Laws That'll Help The Forward Facing Infant Car Seat Industry
Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat Children under the age of one year should NOT ride facing forward. In the event of a crash neck muscles that are weak can stretch and cause serious injuries. Switch to FF instead of FF when your child is at the maximum weight of their current seat or height (or the minimum for the new car seat). Check the instructions for your car seat carefully. Safety Car seats for infants are designed to protect the neck and head of your child in the event of an accident. The forward-facing position also stops your child from hitting their head against the back of the seat which could cause serious injuries. All forward-facing infant car seats come with five-point harnesses that ensure the child's safety with just one pull tightening. Additionally, the shell of the car is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam to provide better protection against impact. Some come with an umbrella that protects from the sun. The best infant car seats will come with an adjustable angle adjustment and an angle indicator. This allows you to choose the ideal angle for your child's neck in order to stop it from slipping over in the event of an accident. The seat also comes with an upper tether strap that is attached to the top of the car seat and connects to the tether anchor within 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 top weight and height allowed listed in the instruction manual of the seat you're using. When your child is 20 pounds and one year old, it's time to change. Babies and toddlers under one year old have soft, loose neck muscles which can result in whiplash during an accident. In frontal collisions (the most serious and frequent kind) they are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries. When kids under 1 year are in a rear-facing car seat their heads are cushioned by the car seat and shielded from sudden movements that could cause neck strain. If children are moving to a forward-facing car seat, they still need a convertible or an all-in-one that has a large 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 requirement typically at around the age of 4 or 5. These crash videos will show you the differences between carseats. However, keep in mind that the footage has been slowed down. If a kid moves too fast, they could be injured. Comfort A forward facing infant car seat allows your infant to ride comfortably and be secure in an accident. The seat comes with a comfortable headrest, a cushion for body support, and an EPS energy-absorbing foam shell that will keep your child safe from any 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 baby from the sun. The seat can be locked to the seat belt of your vehicle for safety. It also has a clip to lock the buckle in place even when the seat isn't in use. If your child is complaining of discomfort during a trip or seems to lean forward when sleeping or sleeping, the seat's angle could be too low for them. This can be corrected by placing tightly rolled towel on the front of your car seat. If this does not work, take your baby to Rockridge Kids and we will examine the angle of the car seat. It is crucial to remember that children aren't ready to take on the world until they are at least 20 pounds AND one year old (their necks aren't strong enough yet to withstand a force 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 babies to travel backwards until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of the seat. This lets parents benefit from the advantages of a rear-facing seat for a longer amount of time. It also makes it easier for them as they can easily change their child's position from forward-facing to rear-facing when their child is out of it. The Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat gives your child 10 years of car seat use with just one seat, ranging from rear-facing infant (4-40 lbs) to forward-facing 5-point harness and high-back booster (30-100 lb) to a belt-positioning booster that is backless (40-120 lbs). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to put in. You can move the headrest and harness together without re-threading. Convenience If you're traveling with a young infant, a forward-facing infant car seat can be the best option. It allows you to watch your child's face while driving and the rest of your family members can get into the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. 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 car when you go to the shop or running chores. Even when your child is at the age at which they can change to a car seat that faces forward it is better to keep them in a rear-facing seat for as long as you are able to. If you view it from the perspective of crash test results, a child's head is safer in a frontal crash if they are facing backwards. This is because the entire body — head, neck, and torso — is cradled by the car seat's back when they face in this direction. Check the instructions of the manufacturer to determine how you can rotate the seat of your child. They will often have the weight and height limit you should not go over and also specific rules for things like crotch buckle position. These rules are designed to protect your child's health as they grow. Another thing to consider is whether you have an automobile with tether anchors for your car seat. If yes, you must make sure the strap is properly fitted and tied to the vehicle's anchor points according to the instruction in the seat's manual. Last but not least, make sure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are at or just below their shoulders, but not too high or low. This will affect how they are secured in the event of an accident. An excellent option for parents who have more than one child or plan to have more, is a convertible car seat. This is a complete car seat that starts with an infant car seat facing rear before moving your child to a forward-facing seat when they're old enough and have reached the height or weight limit of the rear-facing position in the car seat. Style The infant car seat was a must-have for your child and you've spent much time deciding the right one. As your child gets older and outgrows their infant car seat you may wonder if it is time to turn the seat around. While the idea of having your child face forward is exciting, there are several important safety considerations to keep in mind. Children should remain rear-facing until they reach their car seat's maximum weight and height limits. Be aware that children differ in terms of size and age. It isn't a good idea to base your decision on a certain date on the calendar, or if you think that they have reached their maximum amount of legroom. It might appear that a child is taller in a rear facing car seat, but that doesn't mean it's safe to turn the child around. Their bones and spine aren't fully developed. It is recommended that you keep your child rear-facing until they reach one year old, and certain infant car seat s come with a built-in reminder to ensure they remain there. This is because kids under one year old do not have the strength of their neck muscles to withstand the force of a frontal collision which can cause serious spinal injuries. In addition to being safe and secure, many infant car seats come with practical features that make them simple to use. Some of these include bases that snap in and out of the car and allow you to transport your child from the car to a stroller and then back. They are usually part of a travel system. If you're ready to move your baby to forward-facing convertible car seats ensure that you follow the manufacturer's guidelines and checking the car seat for tightness. The car seat should not move more than one 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 any questions or concerns regarding the installation of your car seat, call an accredited safety technician in your locality or the manufacturer of the car seat.