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Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat Children under the age of one year should not ride facing towards the forward. In the event of a crash weak neck muscles can stretch and cause serious injury. Switch to FF instead when your child is at the weight limit of their current car seat or height (or the minimum requirement for a new car seat). Make sure you read the car seat instructions. Safety In the case of a collision, infant car seats are designed to protect your child's neck and head. The forward-facing position will also prevent your child from slamming their head against the hard back of the seat, which could result in serious injuries. All infant seats that face forward have five-point harnesses, which secure the child by simply pulling the straps. The shell of the carrier is lined in energy-absorbing foam EPS for better impact protection. Some also have a canopy to provide shade from the sun. The best infant carseats will feature an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster which allows you to set the correct angle of your child's head to stop them from flopping over in the event of a collision. The top tether strap connects to the tether anchor on the vehicle and comes from the top. Be aware that you might not have to switch your child to an forward-facing car seat until he or attains the maximum weight and height specified in the manual for the seat. When your child is 20 pounds and one year old is over, it's time to change. Infants and toddlers younger that one year have soft, loose muscles in their necks that could cause whiplash if involved in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most severe and common type), they are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries. When kids under 1 year ride backwards, their head is protected 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 should use a convertible or an all-in-one car seat with a high rear-facing weight and a 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 which is usually around age 4 or 5. These crash videos will demonstrate the differences between the carseats. But keep in mind that the video has been slowed. A child can be injured in the event that they move too fast. Comfort A forward-facing infant car seat will keep your baby safe and comfortable during an accident. The seat comes with a comfortable headrest, a body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing foam shell that will protect your child from a collision. The seat also comes with five-point harnesses that are easy to use with one-pull tightening and a movable front center adjuster that ensures your child is correctly positioned. A retractable sun canopy helps shield your child from the sun. To ensure safety, the seat is designed to lock with the vehicle's seat belt and has an adjustable clip that holds the latch buckle securely fastened when not in use. If your child complains of discomfort or seems to slump forward when sleeping It could be due to the angle of the car seat is too low. This can be corrected by placing a tightly rolled towel on the front of your car seat. If this doesn't work, you can take your baby to Rockridge Kids and we will examine the angle of the car seat. Remember that children should not face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds and are one year old. Their necks are still not strong enough to withstand the force of a collision in the event that they be thrown to the side 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 choose to buy a convertible car seat that allows their children to be rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limits. This allows them to enjoy the benefits of a rear-facing car seat for longer, and makes it more convenient for parents since they can simply shift their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position when their child has outgrown it. The Graco 4Ever 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat provides your child 10 years of car seat usage with just one seat, 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). It's simple and easy to set up using the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the headrest and harness together, without re-threading. Convenience A forward facing infant car seat is an excellent option if you're traveling with a young child. It lets you see your child while driving and allows everyone else in the family to ride in the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. The type of car seat can be used in conjunction with strollers making it easier to get your child into and out of the car when you go to the store or doing other chores. Even if your child has reached the age that they are able to change to a car seat that is facing forward it is better to keep them in a rear-facing seat for as long as you are able to. When you look at it from the perspective of crash tests, children's head is more protected in a frontal crash if they are facing backwards. This is due to the fact that when facing backwards the entire body, including the head, neck and torso, is cradled in the car seat's rear. It is important to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer on the best time to turn your child's car seat around. They usually have a maximum weight and height limit that you shouldn't exceed, as well as specific rules for things like the crotch buckle's position. These restrictions are designed to protect your child's safety as they grow. Another thing to take into consideration is whether you own a vehicle with tether anchors for your car seat. If so, make sure that the tether is fitted and connected to the anchor points on your vehicle according to the instructions in the manual. Last but not least, make sure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are at or below their shoulders, but not too high or low. This can affect how they're secured during an accident. A good choice for parents with multiple children or are planning to have more children is convertible car seats. This is an all-in-one car seat that can start by being an infant car seat that faces rearwards before moving your child to a forward-facing position when they are old enough and have reached the weight or height limit of the rear-facing position in the car seat. Style You've put in a lot of time and effort deciding on the perfect baby car seat for your child. As your child gets older and outgrows their infant car seat you might be wondering if it's time to turn the seat around. While the idea of having your child face forward is exciting, there are some important safety factors to consider. Children should remain rear-facing until they reach the weight limit of their car seat and height limits. Be aware that children differ in both size and age. Don't base your decision on a specific date on the calendar or if you think that they have reached their maximum legroom. Children may appear larger in a rear-facing car seat but that doesn't necessarily mean it's safe to turn them around, as their spine and bones aren't fully developed. Some infant car seats come with an alarm built-in to remind that your child to remain facing rear 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 force of a frontal collision which can cause serious spinal injuries. Many infant car seats are not just safe, but also easy to use. Some of them have bases that snap into and out of the car and allow you to transport your child from the car to a stroller, and back. They are often part an overall travel system. If you're ready to transition 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. Also, make sure you check the tightness of the car seat. When properly installed the car seat shouldn't move more than 1 inch side to side or from front to back, and the harness straps must be positioned at or over the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns about the fitting of your car seat, call an accredited safety technician in your locality or the manufacturer of the car seat.