10 Tips For Infant Car Seat Rear Facing That Are Unexpected
Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
The most secure way to ensure your child is in a rear-facing infant car seat is to keep them there. Children should only be switched to a forward-facing car seat when they have reached the weight and height limits of their current car seat.
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Safety Benefits
Utilizing a car seat for infants rear facing is the most secure option for newborns and babies due to the way it cradles and supports their head and neck. "Since their spines haven't been ossified yet, it's vital to keep the impact of a crash away from their necks and heads" says Purva Grover, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments. In a frontal collision, the baby's head can hit the seat in front of them. This can result in a whiplash that is extremely painful or even fatal. In a rear-facing seat, however, the impact is absorbed and absorbed to the rear of the car. Adele says, "It feels like a hug." The child's legs can also be tucked in the car seat to prevent them from being thrown against the back of front seat or any other surface of the vehicle. "This keeps them from crashing into their own body, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents avoid ERF because they think their child will be uncomfortable or bored. Neither has been true for my son, Lukas. He prefers sitting in the rear as the seat reclines and allows him to read or watch TV while he does so.
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 best option for them to travel. Explain that your child can remain in the convertible or all-in-one car seat as long as the height or weight limits are not exceeded.
Also, make sure to buckle your child in a rear-facing car seat tightly using the lower anchor system or seat belt. Don't allow them to wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats as they could be swollen in a crash and cause the harness straps to loosen and put your child at risk for injuries. 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 a breeze to use and more mobile than convertible car seats. However, having your child in a rear-facing car seat may mean they have to be taken out of the bassinet or crib at time of nap or time of bed. This could wake the sleeping child, which is not ideal. The security advantages of rear-facing overshadow this inconvenience, however.
The headrest is lower for preemies and newborns than for full-term infants. This helps to reduce the impact of an accident and ensures that the chest clip of the harness is below or at the shoulders, not at the neck. This is essential for premature infants, with bones that aren't strong enough and are not fully ossedified following birth or pregnancy.
The position that faces the rear lets you observe your baby more clearly than a forward-facing position. This lets you monitor their behavior and make sure they are content and happy. The majority of infant car seats have built-in baby mirrors that can be adjusted to view your child from nearly every angle.
Once your baby outgrows their infant car seat or attains the weight or height limit suggested by the manufacturer of their seat 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 have rear-facing limits that are higher than rear-only car seats that allow them to be used for longer.
Convertible car seats or all-in one seats are known as multi-functional. They can be used rear-facing or forward facing and as belt-positioning boosters. They also usually have a large base in the back of your vehicle making them easier to install and remove. They're more expensive than single-use infant car seats, however, they last longer than an infant seat and will save you money in the long run.
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. It is normal for children to outgrow their rear-facing infant car seat when they reach age two. But, it's always better to wait.
Weight Limits
You should be aware that all infant car seats come with weight and height limits. Most have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds and an upper height limit of around 30 inches or so, depending on the model. When your child has reached the limit, you are able to proceed to the next level of safety. You can either choose an adjustable seat that allows your child to ride forward or rear-facing, or an all-in-one car seat.
Apart from a height and weight limit, there are also other indicators that indicate your child is prepared for the next step in a car seat, including their level of comfort while riding rear facing. You can find these signs in your child's behavior and compare it to other children similar to yours in their car seats. You can also ask for help from certified child safety technicians at a car seat inspection station that are usually run by local government agencies or community organizations.
Remaining rear-facing for your infant for as long as is possible is the best option for them, and it's easy to see why a lot of parents are hesitant to turn their children back until they're mature. But you can still avoid this temptation by ensuring your child's car seat is correctly installed and that you do not rush to change to a forward-facing one too quickly, even if they're close to the weight or height limits of the car seat they're currently in.
If you have questions about whether your child is ready to move on to the next stage in their car seat or you're worried you might not be installing the car seat correctly Contact an accredited child safety technician. These specialists are available through local community organizations, government offices and child passenger safety programs. You can search for one near you or contact your local public safety agency or health department. Mobile car seat check-in events can be held at your workplace or at home to ensure that you have the right equipment and are using it correctly.
Installation
Installing a car seat correctly is essential for its effectiveness. The NHTSA has found that more than half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best method to make sure that your child's car seats are installed correctly is to read through the manual, and then have them professionally examined by a certified car safety technician.
Verifying infant car seat for travel is the first step towards installing a rear-facing infant car seat. You can check 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 the baby's head is properly positioned in the seat. Forward-facing positions can cause pressure on the spine and neck of infants with their large heads and soft necks. If a rear-facing collision occurs, the car seat's back absorbs the majority of the collision force, which shields the baby's delicate neck and 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 all-in-one car seat that can be used in the rear position until your child has reached their 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 appreciate the ability to choose an infant car-seat that can be detached and attached to the stroller. It can be a challenge and time-consuming to maneuver your stroller and car seat into and out of the vehicle every time, especially if you have a newborn. If you're willing to take the extra time each time to get it done, this could be a great option for many families. Make sure you plan ahead and select the day that you have plenty of time to spare.