Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
Keeping your child in an infant car seat facing rearwards is the most secure option. Children should only be moved to an forward-facing car seat when they reach the height and weight limits of their current seat.
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Safety Benefits
Using an infant car seat rear facing is the safest option for infants and newborns due to the way it cradles and supports their neck and head. Purva Grover MD director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments, says that because their spines aren't yet fully ossed, it is crucial to keep the force of a crash away from their necks and heads. In a frontal collision, a baby's head would strike the seat in front of them, creating whiplash that could be fatal 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. Adele says, "It feels like a hug." The legs of a child can be tucked in the car seat to protect them from being thrown against the rear of the seat or any other surface in the vehicle. "This helps to prevent collisions with the inside of their bodies, causing internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents are opposed to ERF because they fear that their child will become bored or uncomfortable. My son Lukas has never been uncomfortable or bored. He prefers sitting rear-facing, because the seat reclines, which allows him to read a book or watch a show while doing so.
If you do have a child that isn't keen on being in a rear-facing seat due to of leg length or other reasons try convincing them that it's the best way for them to travel. Explain that they are able to stay in their convertible or all-in-one seats provided they don't exceed the height and weight limits set by the seat manufacturer.
Also, make sure to secure your child in a rear-facing car seat tightly by using the vehicle's lower anchor system or seat belt. Avoid letting them wear bulky clothes such as winter coats. They can expand during a crash, causing the harness straps to become loose. This puts your child at risk of injury. Always perform the Pinch Test to ensure a snug fit.
Convenience
Many parents prefer to keep their infant car seats rear-facing for as long as they can because they are a breeze to use and are more portable than convertible car seats. If you keep your child rear-facing, he or she may have to be placed in a bassinet or crib during nap time or bedtime. This could wake the child who is sleeping which isn't ideal. The safety advantages of rear-facing far outweigh this inconvenience, however.
Newborn babies and preemies are smaller than full-term newborns which means that the headrest of their car seats is lower. This helps reduce the impact force and also ensures that the harness's chest clip is placed below their shoulders, not at their necks. This is important for premature infants, who have bones that are weak and have not ossified after birth or pregnancy.
The rear-facing position lets you see your baby better than a forward-facing position. This lets you easily check their behavior and make sure they are happy and comfortable. Most infant car seats come with built-in baby mirrors that can be adjusted to see your child from almost every 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 have rear-facing limits that are higher than rear-only seats which allows them to be used for a longer period of time.
Convertible or all-in-one car seats are known for their flexibility. They can be used rear facing or forward facing and as belt-positioning boosters. They usually also have a larger base in the back of your car, making them easier to remove and install. They are more expensive than the infant car seats that are used once, but they'll 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. 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 safer to wait.
Weight Limits
All infant car seats come with weight and height limits that you need to be aware of. The majority have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds, and a height limit of around 30 inches or so, based on the model. If your child is reaching the limits, it's time to move to the next stage of safety. This could be a convertible car seat that allows you to be switched between rear facing and forward facing, or an all-in one car seat that lets your child ride rear facing until they reach the maximum height and weight suggested by the manufacturer.
There are other aspects aside from the weight and height limit, that can indicate whether your child is ready to make the next step in a car seat. One of them is their level of comfort when riding in a rear-facing. best infant car seat can look for these signs by watching your child's behavior and looking at other children in their carseats. You can also seek advice from certified child passenger safety specialists at a car-seat inspection station, which is typically run by local government or community groups.
It is best to keep your infant rear-facing as long as you can. This is why many parents wait until their children are completely mature before allowing them to turn around. But you can ward off this temptation by making sure that your child's car seat is correctly installed and don't rush to switch to a forward-facing seat too quickly, even if they're close to the limits on weight or height of the car seat they're currently in.
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 concerned that you may not install the car seat correctly. They can be found through community groups, local government offices, and child safety programs. You can search for one near you, or contact your local public safety agency or health department. There are also mobile car seat check-in events that can visit your workplace or home to ensure that you have the correct equipment and are making use of it properly.
Installation
The correct installation of a car seat is essential for its effectiveness. The NHTSA has found that almost half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best method to make sure that your child's car seats are installed correctly is to read through the manual, after that, have them examined by a certified car safety technician.
The angle check is the first step in installing the rear-facing infant car seat. 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.
You should also be sure that your baby's head is at the correct angle in the seat. Babies have heavy heads and soft necks and a forward-facing posture could put pressure on their necks and spine during a crash. In a rear-facing crash, the car seat's back absorbs the majority of the collision force, which shields the baby's delicate neck and spinal cord.
When your child has reached the weight limit or height of the infant car seat it's time to move over to a convertible car seat or all-in one car seat. These can be used in a rear-facing position until the front-facing limit. If you decide to change 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 by car will find it convenient to pick an infant car seat that can be detached and connected to strollers. It can be challenging and time-consuming to move your car seat and stroller into and out of your vehicle every time, especially in the case of a newborn. This can be a good choice for many families when they are willing to spend the time to make it happen every time. Be sure to think ahead and pick a date when you have plenty of time spare.