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Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat Children under one year shouldn't ride facing towards the forward. In the event of a crash neck muscles may 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 for a new car seat). Please read your car seat instructions. Safety In the case of a collision, infant car seats are designed to protect the neck and head of your child. The forward-facing position could also help prevent your baby from crashing their head against the back of the car seat which could cause serious injuries. All infant seats with a forward-facing feature five-point harnesses that secure the child by simply pulling the straps. The shell of the car seat is lined in energy-absorbing foam EPS to offer better protection from impact. Some also have an umbrella to protect from the sun. The most effective infant car seats include an adjustable angle adjuster and an angle indicator. This allows you to set the correct angle for your child's neck in order to avoid it falling over during an accident. The car seat also comes with an upper tether strap that comes from the top of the car seat. It then hooks to the tether anchor within your vehicle. It's important to keep in mind that your child might not require switching to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum weight and height limit that is stated in the instruction manual of the seat you are using. It's time to change when your child is 20 pounds and one year old. Infants and toddlers younger than one year old have soft, loose neck muscles that can cause whiplash when they are 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 neck of children under one year old by cushioning their heads. When children transition to an forward-facing car seat they should remain in a convertible seat or an all-in-one that has a strong rear-facing weight and height limit. The child shouldn't be able to move into an adult booster until they meet the height and age requirements for a high-back or backless booster, which is typically between 4 and 5 years old. You can see the difference in these carseats when you watch these crash videos but remember that the video is slow-motion. If a kid moves too fast, they may be injured. Comfort A forward-facing infant car seats keeps your baby safe and comfortable in the event of an accident. The seat has a comfortable cushion for the headrest and body and an EPS energy-absorbing shell to ensure your child is safe from any impact. The seat also features five-point harnesses that are easy to use with one-pull tightening and an adjustable front center adjuster that ensures your child is correctly positioned. A retractable sun canopy will shield your child from the sun. For your safety the seat is designed to lock to the seat belt of your vehicle and comes with a locking clip that keeps the latch buckle secure when not in use. If your child complains of discomfort or appears to be slouching forward when sleeping, it may 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 isn't working, bring your child to Rockridge Kids and we will test the angle of the car seat. It is important to remember that children aren't ready to stand up and face forward until they weigh at minimum 20 pounds and one year old (their necks aren't strong enough to withstand the force applied to them in a crash should they fall forward on their own). Some experts recommend waiting longer, because the bones and muscles of young children are more flexible than those of adults. Many parents choose to buy a convertible car seat that lets their infants travel rearward-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limits. This lets parents enjoy the benefits a rear-facing seat for a longer period of time. It also makes it easier for parents as they can easily change their child's position from forward-facing to rear-facing as the child grows out of it. The 4Ever Convertible Car Seat from Graco is a four-in-one convertible car seat that lets your child use the seat for a period of 10 years. It can be converted from rear-facing infant (up to 40 pounds) to forward-facing harness and high-back seat (30-100 lb) and then to an unbelt-positioning seat that is backless (40-120 lbs). It is simple and easy to install using the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the headrest and harness together, with no re-threading. Convenience A forward facing infant car seat is a fantastic option for traveling with a toddler. This allows you to see your child's face while driving and the other members of your family can get into the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. This type of car seats can be used with strollers making it easier to get your child in and out of the car when you go to the store or doing other tasks. However that even the time your child is old enough to transition to an forward-facing car seat, it's best to keep them rear-facing as long as is possible. When you look at it from the standpoint of crash tests, children's head is more protected in a frontal collision when they are facing backwards. This is due to the fact that when facing backwards the entire body including the head, neck and torso is held in the car seat's rear. It is important to read the manufacturer's instructions for the best time to change the car seat of your child around. You will find that they have the maximum height and weight limit, as well as specific guidelines regarding things like the crotch strap position. These limits are designed to protect your child as they develop. Another thing to consider is whether you own a vehicle that has tether anchors for your car seat. If yes, you must make sure the tether strap is properly installed and tied to the vehicle's anchor points as instructed in the seat's manual. Last but not least, ensure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are at or just below their shoulders, and not too high or low. This can affect how they're secured during an accident. A great option for parents with several children or are planning to have more, is convertible car seats. It is a convertible car seat that can be used as a rear-facing infant car seat and then converted to a forward facing seat once your child reaches the weight or height limits of the rear-facing position. Style The car seat for your baby was a must-have for your baby, and you spent many hours deciding the best one. However, as they age and begin to outgrow their infant car seat, you might be wondering if it's time to change them. While the idea of having your child face forward is thrilling, there are a few important safety aspects to be aware of. Children should be rear-facing until they reach the maximum height and weight limits for their particular car seat. It is important to remember that children are very different in terms of size and age so you should never base on when you should switch to forward-facing on a specific date on the calendar or when they've reached their maximum legroom. A child might appear larger in a rear-facing car seat but that doesn't mean that it's safe for turning around, as their bones and spine haven't fully developed yet. Some infant car seats come with an alarm that reminds you to keep your child rear-facing until they're at least one year old. This is due to the fact that children younger than one year old do not have the strength of their neck muscles to withstand the whiplash of a frontal collision, which can result in serious spinal injuries. In addition to being safe, 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 which allows you to take your baby from the car to a stroller and then back. They are usually part of the travel system. If car seat inserts for newborns are ready to move your child's rear-facing convertible seat to a forward-facing one, be sure to adhere to all the instructions given by the manufacturer and check the tightness of the car seat. The car seat should not move more than an inch from side to side or front to rear when installed correctly. The harness straps must be placed at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have questions or concerns about the fitting of your car seat, call a certified safety technician in your area or the manufacturer of your car seat.