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 old should not ride forward-facing. In the event of a crash, their weak neck muscles can stretch and cause serious injuries. Switch to FF instead when your child reaches the maximum weight of their current seat or height (or the minimum requirement for the new car seat). Please read your instructions for the car seat. Safety Infant car seats are made to protect the head and neck of your child in the event of an accident. The forward-facing position will also prevent your child from hitting 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. They ensure the child's safety by simply pulling the straps. The shell of the car seat is lined with energy-absorbing foam EPS to provide better protection against impact. Some come with an umbrella that protects from the sun. The best infant car seats feature an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster that allows you to determine the ideal angle for your child's head to stop them from flopping over in a crash. The top tether strap is connected to the tether anchor of the vehicle and extends from the top. It's important to keep in mind that your child might not need to switch to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the top weight and height that is listed in the instruction manual for the seat you are using. When your child is 20 lbs and one year, it's time to make the switch. Infants and toddlers younger that one year have soft, loose muscles in their necks, which can cause whiplash when they are involved in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most severe and common kind), they are more likely to suffer serious neck injuries. If children under the age of 1 are riding in a rear-facing car seat, their head is cushioned by the car seat and protected from sudden movements that can strain their necks. When children move to a forward-facing car seat, they need a convertible or an all-in-one that has a high rearward weight limit and a high. The child shouldn't be moved into an adult booster until they meet the height and age requirements for a high-back booster, which is typically between 4 and 5 years old. It is evident the difference in these seats when you watch these crash videos, but remember that the video is slow-motion. If a child is moving too fast, they could be injured. Comfort A forward-facing infant car seats keeps your baby safe and comfortable in the event of an accident. The seat comes with a comfortable headrest, a cushion for body support and an EPS energy-absorbing foam to ensure your child's safety from a collision. The seat also features a five-point harness with easy one-pull tightening, and an adjustable front center adjuster that ensures your child is correctly positioned. A retractable sun canopy helps shield your baby from the sun. For safety the seat is designed to be locked by the vehicle's seat belt and has an adjustable clip that holds the latch buckle securely fastened when not in use. If your infant complains of discomfort during a trip or seems to slump forward when they sleep, the angle of the seat might be too low for your child. You can correct this by placing tightly folded towels on the front of the car seat to lift it higher. If this doesn't help then you can bring your child to Rockridge Kids to have us examine the angle of their carseat. It is vital to keep in mind that children aren't ready to stand up and face forward until they weigh at minimum 20 pounds AND one year old (their necks are not strong enough to withstand the force applied to them in a crash in the event of falling forward on their own). Some experts recommend waiting longer, since the muscles and bones of young children are more flexible than those of adults. Many parents choose to purchase convertible car seats that lets their infants move rearwards until they reach their maximum weight or height limits. This lets parents benefit from the advantages of a rear-facing seat for a longer amount of time. It can also make it easier for them because they can easily switch their child's position from forward-facing to rear-facing when their child is out of it. The Graco 4Ever Convertible Car Seat provides your child 10 years of car seat use in just one seat, ranging from rear-facing infant (4-40 lb) to forward-facing 5-point harness with high-back booster (30-100 lb) to a backless belt-positioning booster (40-120 lb). It's simple and easy to install using the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the harness and headrest together, without re-threading. Convenience A forward-facing infant car seat is a fantastic option when you're traveling with a young child. It allows you to see your child's face while driving and allows the rest of the family to ride in the car without disturbing your baby or toddler. This type of car seat can also be used with strollers, making it easier to carry your child in and out of the car for trips to the supermarket or other chores. Even when your child is at the age at which they can switch to a car seat that is forward-facing, it is safer to keep them in a rear-facing seat for as long as you are able to. When you consider it from the perspective of crash test results, a child's head is safer in a frontal crash when they are facing backwards. newborn car seat is because the whole body — head neck, torso, and head is held by the car seat's back when they face in this direction. Review the directions of the manufacturer to see when you can rotate the seat of your child. You will find that they have an upper and lower limit, and also specific rules about things like the crotch strap's location. These limits are meant to ensure your child's safety as they develop. Another thing to take into consideration is whether you own a vehicle with Tether anchors for your car seat. If yes, ensure that the tether is correctly installed and tied to the anchor points on your vehicle as per the instructions in the manual. The last thing to do is make sure that the shoulder straps of your child's harness are on or just below their shoulders, and are not too high or low. This will affect how they are secured in the event of an accident. A convertible car seat is a good option for parents who have several children or who are planning to have more children. It is a one-stop car seat that starts off being used as an infant car seat facing rear, then move your child to a forward-facing seat once they are old enough and have reached the height or weight limit for the rear-facing position of the car seat. Style The infant car seat was a must for your child, and you spent much time deciding the right one. As your child grows older and outgrows their car seat for infants, you may wonder if it is time to turn the seat around. While the idea of having your child face forward is thrilling, there are a few important safety considerations to keep in mind. Children should be rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight of their car seat and height limitations. Be aware that children differ in size and age. It isn't a good idea to base your decision solely on a particular date on the calendar, or if you think that they have reached their maximum legroom. A child may appear bigger in the rear-facing car seat but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's safe to turn them around, as their bones and spine haven't fully developed yet. Some infant car seats have a built-in alarm to remind you to keep your child 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 whiplash of a frontal collision which could cause serious spinal injuries. In addition to being secure and secure, many infant car seats come with useful features that make them simple to use. Some include bases that snap in and out of the car and allow you to transport your baby from the car to a stroller and then back. They are typically part of the travel system. If you're about to transition your child's rear-facing convertible seat to a forward facing one, make sure you adhere to all the instructions given by the manufacturer and verify the tightness of your car seat. When installed properly, the car seat shouldn't move more than one inch from side to side or front to back and the harness straps should be positioned at or over the shoulders of your child. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to an accredited car seat safety technician in your area or call the manufacturer of the car seat.