Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing

The most secure method to ensure your child is in an infant car seat that faces rearwards is to keep them there. Children should only be switched to a forward-facing car seat once they reach the weight and height limits of their current seat.

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Safety Benefits

Utilizing a car seat for infants rear facing is the most secure option for infants and newborns because of the way it supports and cradles their head and neck. Purva Grover MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments, explains that as their spines are not yet ossified, it's crucial to keep the force from the crash away from their necks and head. In a frontal collision the baby's head will hit the seat infront of them. This can cause whiplash that is extremely painful or even fatal. However, in the rear-facing car seat the impact is absorbed by the seat, and dissipated by the back of the vehicle. "It's like a hug," says Adele. The legs of the child can be placed into the car seat to protect them from being thrown against the back of the front seat or any other surface of the vehicle. "This keeps them from colliding with the inside of their own bodies, causing internal injuries," she explains.

Many parents are against ERF because they think their child will be uncomfortable or bored. Neither has been true for my son, Lukas. He prefers sitting in the rear as the seat reclines and allows him to read, or watch TV while doing it.

However, if you have a child that isn't keen on being in a rear-facing seat because of leg length or other factors try convincing them that it's the most secure way for them to travel. Explain that they are able to stay in their convertible or all-in-one car seats as long as they don't exceed the height and weight limits set by the seat manufacturer.

Be sure to secure your child in a rear-facing seat with the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Don't allow them to wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats, as these could be swollen in a crash and cause the harness straps to loosen and place your child at risk of injuries. Always make use of the Pinch Test to ensure a secure fit.

Convenience

Many parents prefer to keep infant car seats rear-facing as long as possible because they are more user-friendly and more mobile than convertible car seats. However, placing your child in a rear-facing seat may mean they have to be put in a crib or bassinet at times of nap or at bedtimes. This could mean waking the child who is sleeping, which is not ideal. However, the safety benefits of rear facing outweigh any inconvenience.

The headrest is lower for newborns and preemies than for full-term babies. This helps reduce the impact of an accident. It also ensures that the chest clip of the harness is at the shoulders, and not at the neck. This is particularly crucial for premature babies who have weaker bones and still aren't ossified due to pregnancy or birth.

The rear-facing position lets you see your baby much better than the forward-facing position. This allows you to monitor their behavior and make sure they are content and happy. Many infant car seats come with built-in baby mirrors that can be adjusted to see your child from virtually any angle.

When your baby is outgrowing their car seat for infants, or is at the weight or height limit recommended by the manufacturer of their seat, you can switch to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that will allow them to remain rear-facing until they are at least two years old. Some even have higher rear-facing limits than the rear-only seats which means they are able to be used for longer.

Convertible car seats or all-in-ones are well-known for their versatility. They can be used in forward-facing, rear-facing, or as a belt positioning booster. They are also easier to set up and take down because they have a large base in the back of your car. They are more expensive than single-use infant car seats, however, they last longer than an infant seat and can save you money in the long run.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight and height limits established by their car seat manufacturer or are at least 2 years older. It's common for children to outgrow their rear facing infant car seat when they reach the age of two. However, it's better to hold off until they reach the age of two.

Weight Limits

All best infant carrier car seat car seats have weight and height limits that you have to be aware of. The majority of them have a weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds and an upper height limit of 30 inches or so, based on the model. If your child is reaching these limits, it's the time to move to the next stage of safety. You can choose a convertible car seat that allows you to be switched between forward and rear facing, or an all-in one car 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.

There are other aspects apart from the weight and height limit which can help you determine whether your child is ready to go up a level in a car seat. One of them is their comfort level riding backwards. You can find these signs in your child's behavior and compare it to other children of the same age in their car seats. You can also seek help from certified child passenger safety specialists at a car seat inspection station that are usually run by local government agencies or community groups.

It's recommended to keep your child rear-facing as long as you can. This is the reason why many parents wait until their children are mature before allowing them to turn around. You can ward off this temptation if you make sure your child's car seat is installed correctly and doesn't switch to a front-facing seat before they are ready, even if their weight or height is within the limits of their existing seat.

You can contact a certified child passenger technician if there are any questions about your child's readiness to move on to the next level of car seats or if you're worried that you might not installing the car seat correctly. These specialists can be found through local community organizations, government offices and child passenger safety programs. You can search for one near you or call your local public health or safety department. There are also car seat check events that are mobile which can come to your workplace or at home to help ensure you have the right equipment and are using it correctly.

Installation

A car seat must be properly installed to be efficient. The NHTSA has found that more than half of car seats are installed incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best car seats newborn way to make sure that your infant car seats are installed correctly is to read through the manual, and then have them professionally assessed by a certified vehicle safety technician.

Verifying the angle is the first step to installing the rear-facing infant car seat. You can examine the angle of the base on the side or in the manual to make sure it is safe for your child's weight.

Also, make sure that your baby's head is in the right angle when in the seat. Babies have large heads and soft necks, and a forward-facing position can put pressure on their neck and spine during a crash. In a rear-facing collision, a car seat's back absorbs the majority of the crash force. This helps protect the baby's neck and the spinal cord.

When your baby is at the weight limit or height of their infant car seat It is the time to transition to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that can be used in a rear-facing position until your child has reached their front-facing limit. Make sure to purchase an infant car seat that has more rear-facing capacity if you decide to switch to this type of seat, as older models have lower limits.

If you opt for an infant car seats that swivel car seat that is able to be removed from the car and re-attached to strollers, this is a great option for parents who need to take their infants into and out of the car often. The only drawback is that it could be tricky and time consuming to move the car seat and stroller in and out of your car every time, particularly with a newborn. If you're willing to invest the extra time each time to get it done, this could be a great option for a lot of families. Make sure to think ahead and pick a date when you have plenty of time spare.