How To Explain Forward Facing Infant Car Seat To A Five-Year-Old
Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat Children younger than one year should not ride forward-facing. In the event of a crash, their neck muscles that are weak could stretch and cause serious injuries. Switch to FF instead when your child is at the weight limit of their current car seat or height (or the minimum required for the new car seat). Please read your car seat instructions. Safety In the event of a crash infant car seats are designed to protect your child's head and neck. The forward facing position also stops your child from slamming their head against the back of the seat which could result in 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 models have a canopy to provide shade from the sun. The best infant carseats will have an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster which lets you set the correct angle of your child's head to stop the car seat from slipping over in a crash. The seat also comes with an upper tether strap that is attached to the top of the car seat. It then hooks onto the tether anchor in your vehicle. You should keep in mind that you may not need to switch your child to a forward-facing car seat until he / she reaches the maximum weight and height as stated in the instruction manual for the seat. It's time to switch when your child reaches 20 pounds and one year. Infants and toddlers younger than one year old have loose, soft muscles in their necks that could cause whiplash if they are involved in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most severe and common kind) they are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries. If children under the age of 1 are rear-facing their head is cushioned by the car seat and shielded from sudden movements that can stress their necks. If children are moving to a forward-facing car seat, they should use a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that has a high rear-facing weight and height limit. The child shouldn't be moved into a booster until they reach the height and age requirements for a high-back or a backless booster, which is typically around age 4 or 5 years old. It is evident the difference in these car seats when you look at these crash videos, but remember that the footage is slow-motion. If a kid moves too fast, they may be injured. Comfort A forward-facing infant car seat keeps your child safe and secure in the event of an accident. The seat comes with a soft headrest and body support cushion as well as an EPS energy-absorbing shell to ensure your child is safe from any impacts. The seat comes with a five-point safety harness which can be tightened with a single pull and a center-front adjuster. This will ensure that your child is positioned correctly. A retractable canopy protects your baby from the sunlight. To ensure safety, the seat is designed to lock by the vehicle's seat belt and includes an locking clip that keeps the buckle securely fastened when not in use. If your infant complains of discomfort during a trip or appears to slouch forward during sleep, the seat's angle may be too low for the child. You can fix this by placing tightly rolled towels underneath the front of the car seat to raise it up more. If this doesn't work, you can take your baby to Rockridge Kids and we will check the angle of the car seat. Be aware that children should not face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds and are a year old. Their necks are still not strong enough to take the force of a collision should they be thrown to the side on their own. Some experts suggest waiting longer, since the bones and muscles of children are more malleable than those of adults. Many parents opt to purchase convertible car seats that lets their infants travel rearward-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height limits. This lets parents enjoy the benefits 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 rear-facing to forward-facing as the child grows out of it. The Graco 4Ever Convertible Car seat is a convertible 4-in-1 car seat that allows your child to use the seat for up to 10 years. It can be converted from a rear-facing infant (up to 40 pounds) to forward-facing harness and high-back seats (30-100 lb) and then to an unbelt-positioning seat that is backless (40-120 lbs). The Smart Fit system makes it easy to install. You can move the harness and headrest together without having to re-thread. Convenience If you're traveling with a young baby, a forward-facing infant car seat is a great choice. It allows you to see your child's face while driving and allows all of your family members to get into the vehicle without disturbing your infant or toddler. The type of car seat can be used in conjunction with strollers, making it much easier to get your child into and out of the vehicle while you are at the grocery store or doing other errands. However that even if your child is old enough to transition to a forward-facing car seat it's safer to keep them rear-facing the longest time possible. If you view it from the standpoint of crash test results, a child's head is safer in a frontal crash if they are facing backwards. This is because when facing backwards the entire body including the neck, head and torso is held in the car seat's rear. Read the instruction manual of the manufacturer to determine how you can rotate the seat of your child. They will often have the weight and height limit that you shouldn't exceed as well as specific rules regarding things like the crotch buckle's position. These restrictions are designed to protect your child's safety as they develop. Another thing to think about is if you have an automobile with Tether anchors for your car seat. If so, ensure that the strap is properly fitted and connected to the anchor points of your vehicle as instructed in the manual for your seat. The last thing to do is make sure that the shoulder straps of the harness of your child are at or below their shoulders, and not too low or high. This can affect how they're secured in the event of the event of a crash. A convertible car seat is a smart option for parents with multiple children or who plan to have more. This is an all-in-one car seat that starts by being an infant car seat facing rear before moving your child to a forward-facing position when they are old enough and have reached the weight or height limit for the rear-facing position in the car seat. Style The car seat for your baby was a must-have for your little one and you've spent many hours deciding the right one. As your child gets older and outgrows their infant car seat you might wonder if it's time to turn the seat around. While the idea of having your child face forward can be thrilling, there are important safety considerations that you should keep in mind. Children should be rear-facing until they reach the weight limit of their car seat and height limitations. Keep in mind that children vary in both size and age. It isn't a good idea to base your decision on a specific date on the calendar, or if you think they have reached their maximum legroom. It might appear that a child is larger in a rear facing car seat, but that doesn't mean it is safe to turn the child around. Their spine and bones haven't yet fully developed. It is recommended that you keep your child rear-facing until they reach one year old, and certain infant car seats have a built-in reminder to keep them there. This is because children younger than one do not have strong enough neck muscles that can withstand a frontal impact, which could result in serious spinal injuries. Many infant car seats aren't just secure, but also simple to use. love it include bases that snap in and out of the car which allows you to take your baby from the car to a stroller and back. They are often part a travel system. If you're about to move your child from a rear-facing convertible seat to a forward-facing one, be sure to adhere to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer and check the tightness of your car seat. The car seat should not move more than an inch from side to side, or from front to back, when it is installed correctly. The harness straps should be placed over the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the installation of your car seat, call a certified safety technician in your area or the car seat manufacturer.