How Infant Car Seat Rear Facing Changed My Life For The Better
Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
Insuring that your child is in a car seat that is rear facing is the safest option. Children should only be switched to an forward-facing car seat when they reach the weight and height 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 cradles and supports their neck and head. "Since their spines aren't fully 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 could strike the seat in front of them, creating whiplash effects that can be severe or fatal. In a rear-facing car seat, the impact is absorbed and absorbed in the back of the vehicle. "It's like hugging," says Adele. Additionally, the child's legs are put into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown against the back of the front seat or any other surfaces in the vehicle. "This prevents a collision with their own bodies, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents are against ERF because they fear 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 allows him to stretch his legs while reading a book or watch TV.
If you have children who are hesitant to face the rear due to their length of legs or other reasons, convince them that this is the most secure option. Explain that they can remain in their convertible or all-in one car seats provided they don't exceed the height and weight limits set by the manufacturer of the seat.
Be sure to secure your child in a rear-facing car seat by using the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Do not let them wear bulky clothing such as winter coats. They can expand when a collision occurs, which can cause the harness straps loosen. This puts your child at risk of injury. Use the Pinch Test when fitting your child's harness.
Convenience
Many parents prefer keeping infant car seats facing rear as long as they can because they are easier to use and more mobile than convertible car seats. If you choose to keep your child rear-facing, they may have to be placed in a crib or a bassinet during nap time or bedtime. This could wake the sleeping child and this isn't a good idea. The advantages of rear-facing far outweigh this inconvenience, however.
Preemies and newborn babies are smaller than full-term infants which means that the headrest of their car seat is lower. This helps reduce the impact force and also ensures that the harness's chest clip is placed below their shoulders instead of at their necks. This is important for premature infants whose bones are still weak and have not been ossified since birth or pregnancy.
In addition, the rear-facing position provides the best view of your child than facing forward. This lets you easily observe their behavior and ensure they are comfortable and happy. Many infant car seats come with built-in baby mirrors that can be adjusted to see your child from almost every angle.
When your baby is outgrowing their car seat for infants, or is at the weight or height limit set by the seat manufacturer you can move to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that will allow them to remain rear facing until they are at least two years old. Some even have higher rear-facing limits than rear-only cars that means they can be used longer.
Convertible or all-in-one car seats are renowned for their versatility. They can be used forward-facing or rear-facing positions, or as a belt positioning booster. They usually also have a large base in the back of your car making them easier to remove and install. They are more expensive than the infant car seats that can be used only once, but they'll last longer and will save you money over time.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing to the maximum height and weight limits allowed by the car seat manufacturer and up to at least two years old. It's common for children to outgrow their rear facing infant car seat by the time they turn two years old. However, it's best to wait.
Weight Limits
All baby car seats have weight and height limits that you need to keep in mind. The majority of infant car seats have a maximum weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds and the height limit is around 30 inches, based on the model. Once your child reaches the limit, you can move up to the next level of safety. You can either choose a convertible seat that allows your child to sit rear-facing or forward-facing or an all-in-one car seat.
In addition to the weight and height limit, there are other indicators that show your child is ready to move on to the next step in a car seat, including their level of comfort when riding rear facing. You can look for these indicators by observing your child's behavior and comparing them to other children in their car seats. You can also seek help from certified child passenger safety experts at a car seat inspection station which are often operated by local government agencies or community groups.
It is best to keep your infant rear-facing as long as you can. This is the reason why many parents wait until their children are fully grown before turning them around. But you can still avoid this temptation by making sure your child's car seat is correctly installed and that you do not rush to change to a forward-facing seat too soon even if they're close to the weight or height limits of their current car seat.
If you have questions about whether your child is prepared for the next car seat stage or you're worried you might not have installed their current car seat correctly contact an accredited child safety technician. They can be found through local community organizations, government offices, and child safety programs. You are able to locate one near you by searching online or calling your local health department or public safety agency. Mobile car seat check-in 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 has to be installed correctly in order to be effective. Unfortunately it is the case that the NHTSA states that nearly half of all car seats are not installed correctly (and this includes rear facing). baby seat to ensure that your child's car seat is installed correctly is to study the manual and have it verified by a certified vehicle safety technician.
Verifying the angle is the first step to installing the rear-facing infant car seat. You can examine the angle of the base on the side or in the user manual to make sure it is safe for your child's weight.
You should also be sure that your baby's head is in the right angle in the seat. The forward-facing position could cause pressure on the spine and neck of babies due to their hefty heads and soft necks. In a rearward-facing collision, a car seat's back absorbs the majority of the collision force. This protects the baby’s neck and the spinal cord.
When your baby is at the weight limit or height of their car seat for infants and is now weighing more than a pound, it's time to switch to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that can be used in the rear position until your child reaches 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 higher rearward facing limit. Older models have lower limits.
Parents who often transport their children in cars will be able to select an infant car seat that can be detached and attached to strollers. It can be difficult and time-consuming to move your stroller and car seat into and out of the vehicle on a regular basis, especially in the case of a newborn. If you're willing to take the extra time each time to do it done, this could be a great option for many families. Plan ahead and pick the day when you have plenty of time.