Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
The most secure way to keep your child in a rear-facing infant car seat is to keep them there. Children should only be switched to an forward-facing car seat when they have reached the weight and height limits of their current car seat.
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Safety Benefits
Rear-facing infant car seats are the most secure option for infants and young babies. This is because they support and cradle their neck and head. "Since their spines haven't been ossified yet, it's vital 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 crash, a baby's head would strike the seat in front of them, creating whiplash effects that can be fatal or even fatal. However, with a rear-facing car seat, the impact is absorbed by the seat and dissipated through the rear of the vehicle. Adele says, "It feels like a hug." In addition the child's legs are put into their car seat, which prevents them from being thrown forward by the rear of the seat or any other surface of the vehicle. "This keeps them from colliding with their bodies, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents are against ERF because they fear that their child will be bored or uncomfortable. Neither has been true for my son, Lukas. In fact Lukas prefers riding backwards because the recline feature allows him to stretch his legs while reading an article or watch TV.
However, if you have a child that isn't keen on being in a rear-facing seat due to of leg length or any other reason Try to convince them that it's the safest way for them to travel. Explain that your child can remain in the convertible or all-in one car seat so long as the weight or height limits aren't exceeded.
Be sure to lock your child in a rear-facing car seat by using the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Do not let them wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats. They can expand during a crash, causing the harness straps 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 keeping their infant car seats rear facing for as long as is possible, as they are a breeze to use and more mobile than convertible car seats. However, having your child in a rear-facing vehicle might mean they have to be moved into a crib or bassinet at times of nap or at times of bedtime. This may require waking up the sleeping baby, which is never ideal. However, the advantages of rear facing far outweigh any inconvenience.
The headrest is lower for preemies and newborns than for full-term babies. This helps reduce the impact force and also ensures that the harness's chest clip is at or below their shoulders rather than at their necks. This is particularly important for premature babies who have weaker bones and haven't ossified from pregnancy or birth.
Additionally the rear-facing position gives a much better view of your baby than forward-facing. This lets you monitor their behavior, and ensure they are content and happy. The majority of baby car seats have built-in baby mirrors that can be adjusted to see your child from almost every angle.
When your baby is outgrowing their car seat for infants, or is at the weight or height limit recommended by their seat manufacturer you can move to a convertible or all-in-1 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 rear-only seats, meaning they can be used for longer.
Convertible car seats or all-in one seats are known as versatile. top rated infant car seats can be used rear-facing, forward facing, and as belt-positioning boosters. They are also simpler to install and remove due to their large base in the back of your vehicle. They are more expensive than single-use infant car seats, however they last longer than an infant car seat and will 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 the manufacturer of their car seat or at least 2 years older. It's common for children to outgrow their rear-facing infant car seat by the time they reach the age of two. However, it's better to hold off until they reach the age of two.
Weight Limits
It is important to know that all infant car seats have weight and height restrictions. The majority of them have a weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds, and an upper height limit of 30 inches or so, depending on the model. Once your child reaches the limit, you can proceed to the next level of safety. You can either choose a convertible seat that permits your child to ride either forward or rear-facing or an all-in one car seat.
There are other factors, besides the weight and height limits, which can help you determine if your child is ready to make the next step in a car seat. One of them is their level of comfort when riding rear-facing. You can look for these indicators in your child's behavior and compare it to other children similar to them in their car seats. You can also ask for assistance from certified child safety specialists at an inspection station for car seats that are usually run by local government agencies or community groups.
It's recommended to keep your child rear-facing for as long as you can. This is why many parents wait until their children are fully mature before allowing them to turn around. But you can ward off this temptation by ensuring your child's seat is properly installed and don't rush to switch them to a forward-facing seat too soon even if they're close to the limit of weight or height of their current car seat.
You can reach a certified child passenger technician if you have concerns regarding your child's ability to be ready for the next stage of car seats or if you are worried that you might not be installing the car seat correctly. They are available through community organizations, local government offices, and child passenger safety programs. You can find one near you by looking online or by contacting your local health department or public safety agency. Mobile car seat check-in events can be held at your workplace or at home to ensure that you have the correct equipment and are using them correctly.
Installation
The correct installation of a car seat is vital to ensure its safety. The NHTSA has found that nearly half of car seats are installed incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to ensure that your child's car seat is installed correctly is to read the manual and have it verified by a certified vehicle safety technician.
The first step when installing an infant rear facing car seat is to check the angle. You can check 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 at the right angle in the seat. Babies have heavy heads and soft necks, and a forward-facing position can put pressure on their necks and spine during a crash. In a rear-facing collision the back of a car seat absorbs most of the crash force. This protects the baby’s neck and the spinal cord.
Once your baby has reached the weight limit or height of the car seat they were in as infants, it is time to switch to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat, which can be used in the rear position until your child reaches their front-facing limit. Make sure you purchase an infant car seat that has an increased rear-facing limit when you choose to change to this type of seat because older models have lower limits.
If you choose an infant car seat that is able to be detached from the car and re-attached to the stroller, it is an ideal option for parents who need to transport their infants in and out of the car regularly. It can be difficult and time-consuming to get your car seat and stroller into and out of the vehicle each time, particularly in the case of a newborn. However, if you are willing to invest the extra time each time to get it right, this could be a viable option for a lot of families. Make sure to plan ahead, and choose the day that you have plenty of time spare.