Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing

Keeping your child in a car seat that is rear facing is the safest option. Children should only be moved to a forward-facing car seat when they have reached the weight and height limitations of their current seat.

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Safety Benefits

Using an infant car seat rear facing is safest for infants and newborns because of the way it cradles and supports their neck and head. Purva Grover MD director of the Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments, explains that as their spines are not yet ossified, it's crucial to keep the force from a crash away from their necks and head. In a frontal collision, the baby's head can hit the seat in front of them. This can result in a whiplash that can be severe or even fatal. In a rear-facing seat the impact is absorbed by the seat and then dissipated to the rear of the car. "It's like a hug," says Adele. The child's legs can also be placed in the car seat to prevent 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 own bodies, which causes internal injuries," she explains.

Many parents resist ERF because they believe their child is bored or uncomfortable. My son Lukas has never been uncomfortable or bored. He prefers to sit rear-facing since the seat reclines and allows him to read or watch a show while doing so.

If you have a child who is reluctant to be rear-facing because of their leg length or for other reasons, convince them that this is the best car seats infant option. Explain that the child can remain in the convertible or all-in-one car seat as long as the height or weight limits are not over.

Make sure you secure your child in a rear-facing seat by using the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Don't let them wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats as they can be compressed during a crash, causing the straps of the harness to become loose and place your child at risk of injuries. Make sure to use the Pinch Test when fitting your child's harness.

Convenience

Many parents prefer keeping infant car seats rear-facing for as long as they can, because they are less cumbersome and more mobile than convertible car seats. However, having your child in a rear-facing car seat might mean they have to be put in an infant car seat cheap crib or bassinet during time of nap or time of bed. This could mean waking the sleeping child and this isn't a good idea. However, the advantages of rear facing far outweigh any discomfort.

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

The position that faces the rear allows you to see your baby better than the forward-facing position. This lets you easily observe their behavior and ensure that they are happy and comfortable. Most infant car seats come with a built-in baby mirror that can be adjusted to view your child from nearly every angle.

When your child is no longer in their car seat for infants or attains the weight or height limit recommended by their seat manufacturer you can move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they are at least two years old. Some models even have higher rear-facing limits than the rear-only seats, meaning they can be used for longer.

Convertible car seats or all-in one seats are renowned for being versatile. They can be used in rear-facing, forward-facing, or as a belt positioning booster. They are also easier to set up and take down due to their large base in the back of your vehicle. They're 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 recommends that children ride rear-facing until the maximum height and weight limits allowed by their car seat manufacturer, or until they are at least two years old. Many children are outgrowing their rear-facing infant seat before age two However, don't be enticed to change them earlier -- it's safer to be patient.

Weight Limits

It is important to know that all infant car seats come with weight and height limits. The majority of infant car seats have a weight limit of 30 to 35 lbs and a height limit of about 30 inches, depending on the model. When your child has reached these limits, it's time to move on 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 allows your child to ride in a rear-facing position until they reach the maximum height and weight recommended by the manufacturer.

Aside from a height and weight limit, there are other indicators that show your child is ready for the next phase of a car seat, including their comfort level while riding rear-facing. You can observe these signs in your child's behaviour, and compare it to other children of the same age in their car seats. You can also seek help from certified child passenger safety experts at a car seat inspection station, which are often run by local government agencies or community-based organizations.

It's recommended to keep your child rear-facing for as long as you can. This is the reason why many parents wait until their children are completely mature before they switch them over. But you can still avoid this temptation by making sure your child's car seat is correctly installed and that you do not rush to change them to a forward-facing seat too soon even if they're close to the limits on weight or height of their current car seat.

If you're unsure whether your child is ready for the next car seat stage or you're worried you might not be installing the car seat correctly Contact a certified child passenger safety technician. These specialists can be found through community groups, local government offices, and child passenger safety programs. You can search for one near you, or contact your local public health department or safety agency. Mobile car seat check events can be held at your workplace or at home to make sure you have the right equipment and that you are using them correctly.

Installation

A car seat must be properly installed to be efficient. The NHTSA has found that more than half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to make sure that your rotating infant car seat car seat is properly installed is to read the instruction manual and have it professionally checked by a certified car safety technician.

The first step in installing a rear facing infant car seat is to test the angle. You can examine 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 at the right angle in the seat. Babies have heavy heads and soft necks, and the forward-facing position could put pressure on their neck and spine in a crash. In a rear-facing collision the back of the car seat absorbs the majority of the crash force, which shields the baby's delicate neck as well as spinal cord.

When your baby is at the weight or height limit of the car seat they were in as infants, it is time to move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat, which can be used in a rear-facing position until your child has reached their front-facing limit. Make sure to purchase a new infant car seat with an increased rear-facing limit when you choose to change to this type of car seat, since older models have lower limits.

If you select an infant car seat that is able to be removed from the car and re-attached to strollers, this is a great choice for parents who need to take their infants into and out of the car frequently. The only downside to this is that it can be a hassle and time-consuming to move the stroller and car seat into and out of your vehicle each time, especially with a newborn. This can be a good option for a lot of families when they are willing to invest the time to make it happen every time. Make sure you think ahead and pick a date when you have plenty of time to spare.