Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing

The most secure method to ensure your child is in a rear-facing infant car seat is to keep them there. 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 safest option for infants and young babies. This is because they support and cradle their necks and heads. Purva Grover MD director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments, says that because their spines are not yet ossified, it's crucial to keep the force of the crash away from their heads and necks. In a frontal collision, the baby's head can hit the seat infront of them. This can cause a whiplash that is severe or even fatal. In a rear-facing seat however, the impact is absorbed and dissipated to the rear of the vehicle. Adele says, "It feels like a hug." In addition the child's legs are put into their car seat, which prevents them from being thrown against the rear of the seat or any other surfaces in the vehicle. "This prevents them from colliding with their own body, which could cause internal injuries," she explains.

Many parents are opposed to ERF because they are afraid that their child will become bored or uncomfortable. My son Lukas has never been uncomfortable or bored. In fact Lukas prefers to ride backwards because the recline feature allows him to stretch his legs while reading a book or watch TV.

If you do have a child that 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 way for them to travel. Explain that the child is able to remain in the convertible or all-in-one car seat so long as the weight or height limits aren't exceeded.

Also, make certain to strap your child in a rear-facing car seat tightly with the vehicle's lower anchor system or seat belt. Do not let 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. Always perform the Pinch Test to ensure a snug fit.

Convenience

Many parents prefer keeping infant car seat newborn car seats rear-facing for as long as they can because they are easier to use and more mobile than convertible car seats. However keeping your child in a rear-facing vehicle may mean they have to be taken out of a crib or bassinet at time of nap or time of bed. This could mean waking the sleeping baby which isn't optimal. The advantages of rear-facing far outweigh this inconvenience, however.

The headrest is lower for newborns and preemies than for full-term infants. This helps reduce the force of an impact and also ensures that the harness' chest clip is placed below their shoulders instead of at their necks. This is essential for premature infants with bones that aren't strong enough and have not been ossified since birth or pregnancy.

The rear-facing position also lets you see your baby much better than a forward-facing position. This allows you to easily monitor their behavior and make sure they are content and happy. The majority of infant car seats cheap car seats come with built-in mirrors that can be adjusted so you can see your child at any angle.

You can choose convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat to keep your child rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Some even have higher rear-facing limits than the rear-only seats that means they can be used longer.

Convertible car seats or all-in-ones are renowned for their flexibility. They can be used in forward-facing, rear-facing or as a belt-positioning booster. They typically also come with a large base at the back of your car making them easier to remove and install. They are more expensive than car seats for infants that can be used once, but they will last longer and save you money over the course of time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing until the maximum height and weight limit that are set by the car seat manufacturer or until they reach at minimum two years old. Many children outgrow their rear-facing infant car seat before the age of two, but don't be tempted to switch them around earlier. It's better to keep it in the rear for a while.

Weight Limits

You should be aware that all infant car seats have weight and height limits. Most have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds and an upper height limit of 30 inches or so, based on the model. When your child is at the limit, you are able to proceed to the next level of security. You can choose a convertible seat that allows your child to sit either forward or rear-facing or an all-in one car seat.

There are other factors, besides the weight and height limit that can tell you whether your child is ready to make the next step in a car seat. One of these is their level of comfort when riding rear-facing. You can look for these indicators in your child's behavior and compare it to other children of the same age in their car seats. You can also seek advice from certified child safety experts at a car seat inspection station, which is typically operated by local government or community groups.

It is ideal to keep your infant rear-facing for as long as you can. This is the reason why many parents wait until their children are completely grown before turning them around. However, you can avoid this temptation by making sure your child's seat is properly installed and that you do not rush to change them to a forward-facing seat too soon even if they're close to the limit of weight or height of their current car seat.

If you're unsure whether your child is ready to move on to the next stage of car seat or you're concerned that you may not have installed their current car seat correctly contact a certified child passenger safety technician. These specialists are available through community groups, local government offices, and child passenger safety programs. You can search online for a specialist near you, or contact your local public health or safety department. There are also mobile car seat check events that will visit your workplace or at 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. Unfortunately it is the case that the NHTSA estimates that more than 50% of car seats are installed incorrectly (and this includes rear-facing). The best way to make sure that your infant car seats are properly installed is to read the manual, then have them professionally examined by a certified car 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, which you can find on the the side of the car seat base or in the user manual.

You should also make sure that the baby's head is correctly positioned in the seat. Babies have heavy heads and soft necks, and a forward-facing position can cause pressure on their necks and spine during a crash. If a rear-facing collision occurs, the car seat's back absorbs most of the crash force, which protects the baby's delicate neck and spinal cord.

When your child has reached the weight or height limit of the infant car seat it is time to switch to a convertible seat or all-in-one seat. These can be used in a rear-facing configuration 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 higher rearward facing limit. Older models have lower limits.

Parents who frequently transport their infants by car will find it convenient to select an infant car seat that is able to be removed and attached to strollers. The only drawback is that it could be tricky and time consuming to get the stroller and car seat into and out of your car every time, particularly with infants. This is a great option for a lot of families when they are willing to spend the time to make it happen each time. Make a plan and pick the day when you have plenty of spare time.