Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing

Keep your child in a car seat that is rear-facing is the best option. Children should only be transferred to a car seat that faces forward when they reach the maximum weight and height of their current 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 are able to support and cradle their necks and heads. Purva Grover MD director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments, explains that since their spines aren't yet fully ossed, it is crucial to keep the force of an accident away from their necks and head. In a frontal crash a baby's head would hit the seat in front of them, creating whiplash effects that can be fatal or severe. In the rear-facing car seat the impact is absorbed by the seat, and dissipated through the rear of the vehicle. "It's like hugging," says Adele. In addition the child's legs are secured into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown forward against the back of the front seat or any other surface of the vehicle. "This prevents them from crashing into their own body, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.

Many parents are opposed to ERF because they fear that their child will be bored or uncomfortable. It's not the case with my son, Lukas. He prefers sitting in the rear, because the seat reclines and allows him to read a book, or watch TV while doing it.

However, if you have an older child who isn't keen on being in a rear-facing seat because of leg length or any other reason, try to convince them that it's the best option for them to travel. Explain that they can stay in their convertible or all-in one car seats provided they do not exceed the height or weight limits that are set by the seat's manufacturer.

Also, be certain to strap your child into the rear-facing car seat securely by using the vehicle's lower anchor system or seat belt. Avoid letting them wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats. They could compress during a crash, causing the harness straps to become loose. 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 facing rear as long as possible because they are a breeze to use and are more portable than convertible car seats. If you choose to keep your child rear-facing, they might require being placed in a crib or bassinet during nap time or bedtime. This could mean waking the baby who was sleeping which is not ideal. However, the security benefits of rear facing outweigh any discomfort.

Preemies and newborn babies are smaller than full-term infants, so the headrest of their car seat is lower. This reduces the impact of an accident. It also ensures that the chest clip of 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 aren't fully ossedified from pregnancy or birth.

The rear-facing position also lets you see your baby better than a forward-facing position. This lets you easily check their behavior and ensure that they are content and happy. Many infant car seats come with built-in baby mirrors that can be adjusted to see your child from almost any angle.

Once your baby outgrows their infant car seat, or attains the weight or height limit set by the seat manufacturer you can move to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach two years old. Some models even have higher rear-facing limits than rear-only seats that means they can be used for longer.

All-in-one or convertible car seats are known for their flexibility. They can be used rear facing, forward facing, and as belt-positioning boosters. They are also easier to install and remove due to their large base that is located at the rear of your car seat for newborn. They're more expensive than single-use infant car seats, but they last much longer than an infant car seat and can save you money in the long run.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing up to the maximum height and weight limit 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 the age of two However, don't be enticed to turn them around earlier. It's safer to wait.

Weight Limits

All infant car seats have weight and height limits that you need to keep in mind. The majority of infant car seats have a weight limit of 30 to 35 lbs and a height limit of about 30 inches, based on the model. When your child has reached these limits, it's time to move on to the next stage of safety: either a convertible car seat that can switch between rear facing and forward facing, or an all-in-one seat that allows your child to ride backwards until they reach the maximum height and weight suggested by the manufacturer.

Apart from the weight and height limit, there are also other indicators that show your child is ready for the next stage of car seats, such as their level of comfort while riding rear facing. You can identify these indicators by observing your child's behavior, and then comparing them to other children of similar age in their car seats. You can also seek assistance from certified child passenger safety experts at a car seat inspection station, which is typically operated by local governments or community organizations.

Remaining rear-facing for your infant for as long as you can is the best car seat for newborn option for them, and it's easy to understand why so many parents are reluctant to turn their children around until they're fully grown. You can avoid this temptation by making sure that your child's car seat is installed correctly and don't change them to a front-facing seat before they're ready, even when their weight or height is close to the limits of their existing seat.

If you're uncertain whether your child is ready to move on to the next car seat stage or you're concerned that you may not be installing their current car seat in a correct manner Contact an accredited child safety technician. These specialists are available through community groups and hospitals 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 home or office to ensure that you have the correct equipment and are using it correctly.

Installation

A car seat needs to be installed correctly in order to be efficient. Unfortunately, the NHTSA states that nearly half of car seats are incorrectly installed (and this includes rear facing). The best method to make sure that your child's car seats are correctly installed is to read through the manual, after that, have them assessed by a certified vehicle safety technician.

Checking the angle is the first step towards installing a rear-facing infant car seat. Check that the car seat base is in a safe position to support the weight of your child that is visible on the indicator on the base of the base or in its user's manual.

Also, make sure that your baby's head is placed at the correct angle in the seat. Babies have large heads and soft necks and a forward-facing posture could cause pressure on their neck and spine in a crash. In a rearward-facing collision, a car seat's back absorbs the majority of the collision force. This helps protect the baby seat's neck and spinal cord.

Once your child has reached the weight limit or height of their infant car seat, it is time to transition to a convertible or all-in-one car seat, which can be used in the rear position until your child has reached their front-facing limit. If you decide to move to a convertible or an 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 newborn seat that is able to be removed from the car, and then re-attached to the stroller, it is a great choice for parents who wish to transport their infants in and out of the car often. The only downside to this is that it can be a hassle and time-consuming to maneuver the stroller and car seat in and out of your car every time, particularly with a newborn. This could be a good option for a lot of families, if they are willing to spend the time to get it right each time. Plan ahead and choose the day you will have plenty of spare time.