Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing

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

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Safety Benefits

The use of a car seat for infants rear facing is safest for newborns and babies because of the way it supports and cradles their head and neck. Purva Grover MD director of the Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments, explains that as their spines aren't ossified, it's crucial to keep the force of the crash away from their necks and heads. In a frontal crash a baby's head would hit the seat in front of them, causing whiplash that could be fatal or even fatal. However, with a rear-facing car seat the impact is absorption by the seat and then dissipated through the rear of the vehicle. "It's like a hug," says Adele. The legs of the child can be tucked into the car seat to keep them from being thrown against the back of front seat or any other surface in the vehicle. "This prevents them from colliding with their own body, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.

Many parents are against ERF because they fear that their child will become bored or uncomfortable. It's not the case with my son, Lukas. In fact, he prefers to ride rear-facing because the seat's recline feature lets him sit on his legs and read a book or watch TV.

However, if you have a child that isn't keen on being in a rear-facing car seat because of leg length or other reasons, try to convince them that it's the safest method of travel for them. Explain that the child is able to remain in the convertible or all-in one car seat as long as the height or weight limits aren't exceeded.

Be sure to secure your child in the rear-facing car seat securely with the vehicle's lower anchor system or seat belt. Don't allow them to wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats, since they could be swollen during a crash, causing the harness straps to loosen and put your child at risk for injury. Always use the Pinch Test to ensure a tight fit.

Convenience

Many parents prefer keeping their infant car seats rear-facing for as long as is possible, as they are simple to use and are more portable than convertible car seats. If you choose to keep your child rear-facing, they may have to be placed in a bassinet or crib during nap time or time to sleep. This could mean waking the baby who is sleeping which is not optimal. However, the security advantages of rear facing far outweigh any inconvenience.

newborn car seat babies and preemies are smaller than full-term infants and therefore the headrest of their car seat is lower. 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 haven't ossified from pregnancy or birth.

The rear-facing position lets you see your baby better than a forward-facing position. This allows you to observe their behavior and make sure they are happy and comfortable. The majority of infant car seats come with built-in mirrors that can be adjusted to ensure that you can view your child from any angle.

You can use a convertible car seat or an all-in one seat to keep your child rear-facing until they reach their recommended weight or height limit. Some rear-facing car seats have limits that are higher than rear-only car seats which allows them to be used for longer.

Convertible car seats or all-in-ones are well-known for their flexibility. They can be used backward facing or forward facing, as well as a belt-positioning booster. They are also easier to remove and install 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 a standard 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 that are set by the manufacturer of their car seat and up to at least two years old. Many children grow out of their rear-facing rotating infant car seat car seat before the age of two, but don't be tempted to switch them around earlier -- it's safer to keep it in the rear for a while.

Weight Limits

All infant car seat in front seat 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 an upper height limit of about 30 inches or so, based on the model. Once your child reaches the limits, you can move to the next level of safety. You can choose a convertible seat that permits your child to ride forward or rear-facing, or an all-in-one car seat.

There are other factors apart from the weight and height limit, that can tell you if your child is ready to make the next step in a car seat. One of them is their comfort level when riding rear-facing. You can identify these signs by watching your kiddo's behavior and comparing them to other children their age in their car seats. You can also seek assistance from certified child passenger safety technicians at a car seat inspection station, which are often run by local government agencies or community-based organizations.

Keep your infant rear-facing for as long as is possible is the best option for them, and it's easy to see why so many parents are hesitant to move their children back until they're fully grown. However, you can avoid this temptation by making sure that your child's car seat is correctly installed and don't rush to transition to a forward-facing one too quickly, even if they're close to the limit of weight or height of the car seat they're currently in.

If you're uncertain whether your child is ready for the next stage of car seat or you're worried that you may not be installing the car seat correctly contact a certified child passenger safety technician. These experts are available through community groups, hospitals local government offices, and child safety programs. You can search online for a specialist near you, or contact your local public health department or safety agency. There are also mobile car seat check events that will visit your workplace or at home to ensure that you have the proper equipment and are making use of it properly.

Installation

Installing a car seat correctly is crucial to its effectiveness. Unfortunately the NHTSA states that nearly half of car seats are not installed correctly (and this includes rear-facing). The best way to ensure that your child's car seat is installed correctly is to read the manual and have it professionally examined by a certified car safety technician.

The angle check is the first step towards installing the rear-facing infant car seat. Make sure the base of the car seat is at a safe angle for your baby's weight and height. You can check this on the the back of the base or in the user's manual.

Also, make sure that your baby's head is placed at the right angle when in the seat. Babies have heavy heads and soft necks, and a forward-facing posture could put pressure on their necks and spine in the event of a collision. If a rear-facing collision occurs, a car seat's back absorbs the majority of the crash force. This protects the baby's neck and spinal cord.

Once your baby has reached the weight or height limit of the car seat they were in as infants, it is time to move to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that can be used in the rear-facing position until your child reaches their front-facing limit. If you decide to change to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat, make sure that the new model has a higher rearward facing limit. Older models have lower limits.

Parents who frequently transport their children by car will find it convenient to select an infant car seat that is able to be removed and attached to a stroller. It can be a challenge and time-consuming to maneuver your stroller and car seat into and out of your vehicle each time, particularly when you have a baby. However, if you are willing to take the extra time each time to do it done, this could be a great option for a lot of families. Plan ahead and pick the day when you have plenty of spare time.