Looking Into The Future What Will The Forward Facing Infant Car Seat Industry Look Like In 10 Years?
Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat
Children younger than one year should not ride in a forward-facing. In a crash their weak neck muscles could be stretched and cause serious injuries.
Instead, switch to FF when your child reaches the weight or height limits of the seat they are currently in (or the minimums required for a new seat). Follow the directions for your car seat carefully.
Safety
Infant car seats are made to safeguard the neck and head of your child in the event of an accident. The forward-facing position could assist in preventing your child from hitting their head on the back of the car seat which could cause serious injuries.
All infant car seats with a forward-facing view have five point harnesses that ensure the child's safety with just one pull, tightening the strap. the shell of the car seat is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam that provides better impact protection. Some models have an umbrella that protects from the sun.
The best infant car seats include an angle indicator as well as an adjustable angle adjuster, which lets you set the correct angle of your child's head in order 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 keep in mind that your child might not require a switch to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the top weight and height limit that is stated in the instruction manual of the seat you're using.
When your child reaches 20 lbs and one year, it's time to change. Children and toddlers younger than one year have soft, loose muscles in their necks that can cause whiplash if they are involved in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most severe and common kind) they are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries. When kids under 1 year are in a rear-facing car seat their head is cushioned by the car seat and protected from sudden movements that could cause neck strain.
When children transition to a forward-facing car seat, they should use a convertible seat or an all-in-one that has a high rear-facing weight and a height limit. The child should not be able to move into a booster until they reach the height and age requirements for a high-back booster, which is typically around the age of 4 or 5 years old. These crash videos will help you understand the differences between carseats. But keep in mind that the footage is slowed down. Children can be injured in the event that they move too fast.
Comfort
A forward facing infant car seat allows your baby to ride in comfort and remain safe during a crash. The seat features a soft headrest, a body support cushion, and an EPS energy-absorbing foam shell that will protect your child from a collision. The seat is equipped with a five-point safety harness which can be adjusted with one pull and a center-front adjuster. This will ensure your child is positioned correctly. A retractable sun canopy helps shield your child from the sun. For safety, the seat is designed to lock 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 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 tightly rolled towel underneath the front of your car seat. If this doesn't help then you can bring your child to Rockridge Kids to have us check the angle of their carseat.
It is important to remember that children aren't ready to take on the world until they weigh at least 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 suggest waiting longer since the bones and muscles of children are more malleable.
Many parents choose to purchase a convertible seat, which allows their babies to be in a rear-facing position until they reach the maximum weight or height limit of the seat. This lets them enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing car seat longer, and also makes it easier for parents as they can easily move their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position when their child is no longer in the position.
car seats by age 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 with 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 set up. You can move the headrest and harness together without having to re-thread.
Convenience
A forward-facing infant car seat is a great option if you're traveling with a toddler. This allows you to see your child while driving and the other members of your family can get into the car without disrupting your baby or toddler. This type of car seats can be used with strollers which makes it much easier to get your child into and out of the car when going to the store or doing other tasks.
Even even if your child is the age where they can switch to a car seat that is forward-facing it is best to keep them in a rear-facing position as long as you can. When you consider 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 the entire body -- including the head as well as neck and torso is held by the car seat's back when they face in this direction.
It is important to read the instructions of the manufacturer to determine the best time to turn your child's car seat around. They usually have an upper weight and height limit that you shouldn't exceed and also specific rules regarding things like crotch buckle position. These guidelines are designed to protect your child's health as they develop.
Another thing to take into consideration is if you have an automobile with tether anchors for your car seat. If so, make sure that the tether is connected to the anchor points of your vehicle according to the instructions in the manual. Lastly, you'll want to make sure that the shoulder straps of your harness are just above the shoulders of your child and not too high or low, as this will affect the way they are restrained in the event of a crash.
An excellent option for parents who have multiple children or are planning to have more, is convertible car seats. This is a complete car seat that can start off being used as an infant car seat that faces rearwards and then transition your child to a forward-facing position once they are old enough and have reached the height or weight limit for the rear-facing car seat.
Style
You've spent a lot of time and effort deciding on the right car seat for your child. As your child grows older and outgrows their car seat for infants, you might be wondering if it's time to flip the seat around.
While the idea of letting your baby face forward could be exciting, there are some important safety considerations that you must keep in mind. 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, therefore, you shouldn't decide the decision to change to a forward-facing car seat on a specific date on the calendar or if they've reached their legroom limit. It may appear that a child is larger in a rear-facing car seat, but that doesn't mean it is safe to turn your child around. Their bones and spine aren't fully developed.
It's recommended that you keep your child facing rearwards until they reach one year old, and certain infant car seats come with an integrated reminder to ensure they remain there. This is because children under one year old don't have enough neck muscles to withstand the force of a frontal collision, which can result in serious spinal injuries.
Many infant car seats aren't just safe, but they are also simple to use. These include bases that remain connected to the car and snap out and in to allow you to carry your child from stroller to car or back, and they often pair with a frame stroller as part of a travel system.
If you are ready to move your child from a rear-facing convertible seat to a forward facing one, be sure to adhere to all the instructions given by the manufacturer and verify the tightness of your car seat. The car seat should not move more than an inch from side to side or front to rear, when it is installed correctly. The harness straps should be placed at or above the shoulders of your child. If you have questions or concerns about the fitting of your car seat, contact an accredited safety technician in your community or the car seat manufacturer.