Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
Insuring that your child is in a car seat that is rear-facing is the best option. Children should only be switched to a forward-facing car seat once they outgrow the weight and height limitations of their current seat.
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Safety Benefits
Rear-facing infant car seats are the best choice for newborns and small babies. This is because they support and cradle their necks and heads. "Since their spines aren't fully been ossified yet, it's vital to keep the impact of a collision off their necks and heads," explains Purva Grover, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments. 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, with the rear-facing car seat the impact is absorption by the seat, and dissipated through the rear of the vehicle. "It's like a hug," says Adele. Additionally, the child's legs are tucked into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown forward against the rear of the seat or any other surfaces in the vehicle. "This keeps them from colliding with their own bodies, which causes internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents avoid ERF because they fear their child is bored or uncomfortable. My son Lukas has never been bored or uncomfortable. He prefers sitting rear-facing since the seat reclines and allows him to read a book or watch TV while he does so.
If you have children who are reluctant to face the rear due to their leg length or for other reasons, convince them that this is the most secure option. Explain that your child can remain in the convertible or all-in-one car seat as long as the weight or height limits are not exceeded.
Be sure to secure your child in a rear-facing seat by using the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Avoid letting them wear bulky clothing such as winter coats. They can expand 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 their infant car seats rear-facing for as long as they can because they are easy to use and are more portable than convertible car seats. If you choose to keep your child rear-facing, they might need to be put in a bassinet or crib during nap time or bedtime. This could mean waking the child who is sleeping, which is not ideal. However, the advantages of rear facing far outweigh any inconvenience.
Preemies and newborns are smaller than full-term newborns which means that the headrest of their car seats 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 especially crucial for premature babies who have weaker bones and still haven't ossified from pregnancy or birth.
In addition the rear-facing position gives the best view of your baby than forward-facing. This lets you monitor 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 view your child from nearly any angle.
You can utilize convertible car seats or an all-in one seat to keep your child rear-facing until they reach their recommended weight or height limit. Some have rear-facing limits that are higher than rear-only car seats which allows them to be used for a longer period of time.
All-in-one or convertible car seats are renowned for their versatility. They can be used backward facing or forward facing, as well as belt-positioning boosters. They typically also have a large base in the back of your car, making them easier to remove and install. They're more expensive than single-use infant car seats however, they last longer than an infant seat and will save you money in the long run.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children remain rear-facing until they have reached the maximum weight and height limits set by their car seat manufacturer or at least 2 years old. older. It is normal for children to outgrow their rear facing infant car seat by the time they reach the age of two. However, it's best to wait.
Weight Limits
You must be aware that all car seats for infants have height and weight restrictions. Most have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds, and a height limit of about 30 inches or so, depending on the model. Once your child reaches the limits, you can proceed to the next level of security. You can either choose a convertible seat that allows your child to be forward or rear-facing, or an all-in-one car seat.
There are other factors apart from the weight and height limits, that can tell you whether your child is able to make the next step in the car seat. One of them is their level of comfort when riding in a rear-facing. You can identify these indicators by observing your kiddo's behavior and looking at other children of similar age in their carseats. You can also seek help from certified child passenger safety experts at a car seat inspection station which are often operated by local government agencies or community organizations.
Keep your infant rear-facing for as long as you can is safest for them, and it's easy to understand why so many parents are hesitant to turn their children around until they're mature. But you can still avoid this temptation by making sure your child's seat is properly installed and that you don't rush to switch to a forward-facing seat too quickly even if they're not close to the limit of weight or height of their current car seat.
If you're uncertain whether your child is ready for the next car seat stage or you're concerned that you may not be installing their current car seat correctly Contact a certified child safety technician. These specialists are available through community groups such as hospitals and local government offices and child safety programs. You can search online for one near you or call your local public health department or safety agency. Mobile car seat check events can be held at your home or office to make sure you have the right equipment and are using them correctly.
Installation
Installing a car seat correctly is crucial to its effectiveness. Sadly the NHTSA states that nearly half of car seats are incorrectly installed (and this includes rear-facing). The best way to make sure that your child's car seat is correctly installed is to study the manual and have it professionally examined by a certified car safety technician.
The first step in 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.
It is also important to ensure that the head of your baby is positioned correctly in the seat. The forward-facing position can cause pressure on the spine and neck of babies with their heavy heads and soft necks. In a rear-facing collision the back of the car seat absorbs the majority of the collision force, which protects the baby's delicate neck and spinal cord.
Once your baby has reached the weight limit or height of the car seat they were in as infants and is now weighing more than a pound, it's time to transition to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that can be used in the rear-facing position until your child has reached their front-facing limit. If you decide to move to a convertible or all-in-one car seat, ensure that the new model has a greater rearward facing limit. Older models have lower limits.
If you select an infant car seat that can be removed from the car and re-attached to the stroller, it is a great option for parents who need to get their infants in and out of the car often. It can be challenging and time-consuming to move your car seat and stroller into and out of the vehicle each time, particularly if you have a newborn. best car seats for newborns could be a good option for a lot of families, when they are willing to take the time to make it happen every time. Make sure to think ahead and pick a date when you have plenty of time to spare.