Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing

Keeping your child in a car seat for infants rear facing is the safest option. Children should only be moved to an infant car seat that faces forward when they reach the maximum weight and height of the seat they are currently in.

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Safety Benefits

Using an infant car seat rear facing is the safest option for newborns and babies because it supports and cradles their neck and head. "Since their spines aren't fully ossified yet, it's important to keep the impact of a crash away from their necks and heads," says Purva Grover, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments. In a frontal collision the baby's head is likely to hit the seat infront of them. This can cause whiplash that can be severe or pushchairsandprams.Uk even fatal. However, in a rear-facing car seat the impact is absorption by the seat, and dissipated by the back of the vehicle. "It's like a hug," says Adele. Additionally the child's legs are secured into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown forward against the back of the front seat or other vehicle surfaces. "This keeps them from colliding with the inside of their bodies, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.

Many parents are opposed to ERF because they are afraid that their child may become bored or uneasy. It's not the case with my son, Lukas. He prefers sitting in the rear, because the seat reclines and allows him to read, or watch TV while doing it.

If you do have an older child who is resistant to being in a rear-facing seat due to of leg length or any other reason Try to convince them that it's the best option for them to travel. Explain that the child is able to remain in the convertible or all-in-one car seat as long as the weight or height limit is not exceeded.

Be certain to strap your child in a rear-facing car seat with the vehicle's lower anchor system or seat belt. Do not let them wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats. These can compress in the event of a crash, making the straps of the harness to loosen. This puts your child at risk of injury. Make sure to use the Pinch Test when fitting your child's harness.

Convenience

Many parents prefer to keep infant car seats rear-facing for as long as they can because they are more user-friendly and more mobile than convertible seats. If you keep your child rear-facing, he or she may require being placed in a crib or bassinet during nap time or at bedtime. This could wake the sleeping child which isn't ideal. However, the security benefits of rear facing outweigh any discomfort.

Preemies and newborn babies are smaller than full-term newborns, so the headrest of their car seat is lower. This helps reduce the impact of an accident and ensures that the chest clip on the harness is below or at the shoulders, not at the neck. This is particularly important for premature babies who have weaker bones and haven't ossified from pregnancy or birth.

Additionally the rear-facing position offers the best view of your baby than the forward-facing position. This lets you monitor their behavior and ensure that they are happy and comfortable. Most infant car seats have a built-in mirror that can be adjusted so you can see your child at any angle.

Once your baby outgrows their infant car seat, or attains the weight or height limit set by the seat manufacturer You can then switch to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that allows them to remain rear facing until they are at least two years old. Some rear-facing car seats have limits that are higher than rear-only seats that allow them to be used for a longer period of time.

All-in-one or convertible car seats are well-known for their flexibility. They can be used rear facing, forward facing, and as a belt-positioning booster. They are also simpler to remove and install because they have a large base that is located at the rear of your car. They are more expensive than car seats for infants that are used once, but they will last longer and save you money over time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children remain rear-facing until they have reached the maximum weight and height limits established by the car seat manufacturer or at least 2 years old. Many children are outgrowing their rear-facing infant seat before the age of two however, don't be enticed to switch them around earlier. It's better to be patient.

Weight Limits

You should be aware that all car seats for infants have height and weight restrictions. The majority of infant car seats have a weight limit of 30 to 35 lbs and a height limit of about 30 inches, based on the model. When your child reaches these limits, it's the time to move to the next level of safety. This could be a convertible car seat that can be switched between rear facing and forward facing, or an all-in-one seat that lets your kiddo ride in a rear-facing position until they reach the maximum height and weight that is recommended by the manufacturer.

In addition to a height and weight limit, there are other factors that indicate your child is ready to move on to the next phase of a car seat, such as their comfort level while riding rear facing. You can look for these indicators in your child's behavior and compare it with other children of the same age in their car seats. You can also ask for assistance from a certified child passenger safety technicians at a car seat inspection station which are often operated by local government agencies or community organizations.

It is ideal to keep your infant facing rear for as long as you can. This is why a lot of parents wait until their children are fully mature before they switch them over. But you can ward off this temptation by ensuring your child's seat is properly installed and you don't rush to transition to a forward-facing seat too soon, even if they're close to the limit of weight or height of the car seat they're currently in.

If you have questions about whether your child is prepared for the next stage in their car seat or you're worried you might not have installed their current car seat in a correct manner contact a certified child passenger safety technician. These experts are available through community groups such as hospitals local government offices, and child passenger safety programs. You can locate one close to you by searching online or calling your local health department or public safety agency. There are also car seat check events that are mobile that can visit your workplace or home to make sure you have the correct equipment and are using it correctly.

Installation

The correct installation of a car seat is essential for its effectiveness. The NHTSA has found that more than half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best method to make sure that your infant car seats are correctly installed is to go through the manual, after that, have them checked by an accredited car safety technician.

The first step when installing a rear facing infant car seat is to check the angle. You can check the angle of the base on the side or in the manual to ensure it is safe for your child's weight.

It is also important to ensure that your baby's head is in the correct angle in the seat. Babies have big heads and soft necks and the forward-facing position could cause pressure on their neck and spine in a crash. In a rear-facing collision, the car seat's back absorbs the majority of the crash force, which shields the baby's delicate neck and spinal cord.

When your child is at the weight or height limit of the infant car seat, it's time to change to a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat. These seats can be used in a rear-facing configuration to the front-facing limit. If you decide to move to a convertible or all-in-one car seat, be sure that the new model has a greater rearward facing limit. Older models have lower limits.

Parents who frequently transport their children in cars will be able to pick an infant car seat that is removable and connected to strollers. The only drawback is that it can be tricky and time consuming to move the car seat and stroller in and out of your vehicle each time, especially with infants. This is a great option for a lot of families, if they are willing to take the time to make it happen every time. Plan ahead and pick the day you will have plenty of spare time.