Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing

Keeping your child in a car seat for infants rear facing is the safest option. Children should only be transferred to an infant car seat that faces forward once they have reached the limit of their weight and height in their existing seat.

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Safety Benefits

Using an infant car seat rear facing is the safest option for infants and newborns due to the way it supports and cradles their head and neck. Purva Grover MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments, explains that since their spines aren't formed, it is vital to keep the force from the crash away from their necks and head. In a frontal crash a baby's head would strike the seat in front of them, creating a whiplash effect that can be fatal or even fatal. In a rear-facing car seat, the impact is absorption by the seat and dissipated by the back of the vehicle. "It's like a hug," says Adele. In addition the child's legs are put into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown against the back of the front seat or other vehicle surfaces. "This keeps them from hitting their own body, which could cause internal injuries," she explains.

Many parents resist ERF because they think their child will be bored or uncomfortable. My son Lukas has never been uncomfortable or bored. In fact Lukas prefers to ride rear-facing since the recline feature lets him stretch his legs while reading a book or watch tv.

If you have children who are reluctant to be rear-facing due to their leg length or other reasons you can convince them that this is the most secure option. Explain that they can remain in their convertible or all-in-one seats provided they don't exceed the height or weight limits that are set by the seat's manufacturer.

Be sure to secure your child into a rear-facing car seat tightly with the vehicle's lower anchor system or seat belt. Do not let them wear bulky clothes such as winter coats. They can expand during a crash, causing the harness straps loosen. This puts your child at risk of injury. Always use the Pinch Test to ensure a tight fit.

Convenience

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

The headrest is lower for preemies and newborns than for full-term babies. This reduces the impact force and also ensures that the harness' chest clip is placed below their shoulders rather than at their necks. This is important for premature infants, whose bones are still weak and are not fully ossedified following birth or pregnancy.

The position that faces the rear allows you to see your baby better than a forward-facing position. This lets you easily check their behavior and make sure they are content and happy. Most infant car seats have a built-in mirror that can be adjusted so you can observe your child from any angle.

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

Convertible or all-in-one car seats are well-known for their versatility. They can be used forward-facing or rear-facing positions or as a belt positioning booster. They also usually have a larger base in the back of your vehicle making them easier to install and remove. These seats are more expensive than car seats for infants that can be used only once, but they will last longer and save money over 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 and up to at minimum two years old. It's common for children to outgrow their rear facing infant car seat by the time they reach the age of two. However, it's better to hold off until they reach the age of two.

Weight Limits

You should be aware that all car seats for infants 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 can move to the next level of safety. You can opt for a convertible seat that allows your child to be forward or rear-facing, or an all-in-one car seat.

In addition to the weight and height limit, there are also other indicators that show your child is prepared for the next stage of a car seat, such as their level of comfort when riding rear-facing. You can look for these signs by observing your child's behavior, and then looking at other children their age in their carseats. You can also seek assistance from certified child safety specialists at a car-seat inspection station, which is typically operated by local governments or community-based organizations.

It's ideal to keep your infant facing rear for as long as you can. This is the reason why many parents wait until their children are fully mature before allowing them to turn around. You can avoid this temptation by making sure your child's car seat is installed correctly and doesn't change them to a front-facing seat before they're ready, even if their weight or height is near the limits of their existing seat.

If you're unsure whether your child is ready to move on to the next stage of car seat or you're worried you might not be installing the car seat correctly, reach out to an accredited child safety technician. They are available through community organizations such as hospitals, local government offices, and child safety programs. You can search online for one near you or contact your local public safety agency or health department. Mobile car seat check events can be held at your workplace or at home to ensure that you have the right equipment and are using it correctly.

Installation

The correct installation of a car seat is vital to ensure its safety. The NHTSA reports, sadly, that almost half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best car seat newborn way to make sure that your infant car seat is correctly installed is to read the instruction manual and have it professionally examined by a certified car safety technician.

Verifying the angle is the first step to installing the rear-facing infant car seat. Check that the base of the car seat is at a safe angle to support the weight of your child, which you can find on the the base of the car seat base or in its user manual.

It is also important to ensure that your baby's head is at the right angle when in the seat. Babies have heavy heads and soft necks and the forward-facing position could put pressure on their necks and spine during 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 child has reached the weight limit or height of the infant car seat in front seat car seat, it is time to switch to a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat. These seats can be used in a rear-facing configuration up until the front-facing limit. Make sure to purchase an infant car seats that swivel car seat with an increased rear-facing limit when you decide to switch to this type of 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 the stroller, it is a great choice for parents who wish to transport their infants in and out of the car frequently. The only downside to this is that it could be time-consuming and difficult to maneuver the stroller and car seat in and out of your vehicle every time, especially for a newborn. If you're willing to invest the extra time each time to do it right, this can be a great option for many families. Make a plan and pick a day that you have plenty of time.