Speak "Yes" To These 5 Infant Car Seat Rear Facing Tips
Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
The most secure way to ensure your child remains 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 outgrow the height and weight limits of their current car seat.
Remember that the body paragraphs are arranged like the hamburger. The introduction and the conclusion sentences are the top and bottom buns. The meat of the essay are the body paragraphs that support it.
Safety Benefits
The use of a car seat for infants rear facing is the safest option for infants and newborns because it cradles and supports their neck and head. 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 of a crash away from their necks and head. In a frontal collision, a baby's head would hit the seat in front of them, causing a whiplash effect that can be fatal or even fatal. However, with the rear-facing car seat the impact is absorption by the seat, and dissipated by the back of the vehicle. Adele says, "It feels like a hug." The child's legs can also be placed in the car seat to protect them from being thrown against the back of front seat or any other surface in the vehicle. "This prevents them from colliding with their own body, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents avoid ERF because they think their child will be uncomfortable or bored. My son Lukas has never been bored or uncomfortable. He prefers sitting rear-facing as the seat reclines and allows him to read a book or watch TV while doing it.
If you do have an older child who 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 safest method of travel for them. Explain that your child can remain in the convertible or all-in one car seat so long as the height or weight limits aren't over.
Also, be certain to strap your child into a rear-facing car seat tightly with the vehicle's lower anchor system or seat belt. Avoid letting them wear bulky clothing such as winter coats. They can expand in the event of a crash, making the straps of the harness to loosen. 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 keeping their infant car seats rear facing for as long as they can because they are simple to use and are more portable than convertible car seats. If you keep your child rear-facing, he or she may have to be placed in a bassinet or crib during nap time or at bedtime. This may require waking up the baby who was sleeping which is not the best option. However, the safety benefits of rear facing outweigh any discomfort.
The headrest is lower for newborns and preemies than for full-term babies. This helps reduce 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 important for premature infants, whose bones are still weak and are not fully ossedified following birth or pregnancy.
The position that faces the rear lets you see your baby better than the forward-facing position. This lets you easily check their behavior and make sure they are comfortable and happy. Most infant car seats have a built-in mirror that can be adjusted so you can view your child from any angle.
When your baby is outgrowing their car seat as infants or is at the weight or height limit set by the manufacturer of their seat You can then switch 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 have even higher rear-facing limits than rear-only seats, meaning they can be used longer.
Convertible or all-in-one car seats are renowned for their versatility. They can be used rear-facing or forward facing and as belt-positioning boosters. best car seat come with a large base at the back of your car making them easier to remove and install. They are more expensive than single-use infant car seats but they last much longer than a standard infant seat and will save you money in the long run.
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 when they reach age two. But, it's always better to hold off until they reach the age of two.
Weight Limits
You must be aware that all infant car seats have height and weight restrictions. Most 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 to the next stage of safety. You can choose a convertible car seat that can be switched between rear facing and forward facing, or an all-in-one seat that lets your kiddo ride in a rear-facing position until they reach the maximum height and weight recommended by the manufacturer.
There are other factors apart from the weight and height limit, that can indicate whether your child is able to go up a level in a car seat. One of these is their level of comfort when riding rear-facing. You can check for these signs by observing your child's behavior and comparing them to other children in their car seats. You can also seek help from certified child safety technicians at an inspection station for car seats which are often operated by local government agencies or community organizations.
Remaining rear-facing for your infant for as long as is possible is safest for them, and it's easy to understand why parents are hesitant to turn their kids around until they're mature. However, you can avoid this temptation by ensuring your child's seat is properly installed and don't rush to transition to a forward-facing seat too soon, even if they're close to the limits on weight or height of their current car seat.
Contact a certified child passenger technician if there are any questions about your child's readiness to move on to the next level of car seats or if you are concerned that you may not be installing the car seat correctly. These specialists are available through local community organizations, government offices, and child passenger safety programs. You can locate one close to you by searching online or contacting your local health department or public safety agency. There are also mobile car seat check-in events that can visit your workplace or home to help ensure you have the correct equipment and are making use of it properly.
Installation
The correct installation of a car seat is crucial to its effectiveness. The NHTSA has found that almost half of car seats are installed incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to make sure that your child's car seat is correctly installed is to study the manual and have it examined by a certified car safety technician.
The angle check is the first step towards installing the rear-facing infant car seat. You can verify the angle of the base on the side or in the manual to make sure it is safe for your child's weight.
Also, make sure that your baby's head is placed at the right angle in the seat. Babies have large heads and soft necks and the forward-facing position could put pressure on their neck and spine during a crash. In a rear-facing collision, a car seat's back absorbs most of the crash force. This protects the baby’s neck and spinal cord.
When your baby is at the weight limit or height of their car seat for infants It is the time to move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat, which can be used in a rear-facing position until your child has reached their front-facing limit. Make sure to purchase an infant car seat that has more rear-facing capacity if you choose to change to this type of car seat, since older models have lower limits.
Parents who often transport their children by car will appreciate the ability to pick an infant car seat that is able to be removed and connected to strollers. The only drawback is that it could be time-consuming and difficult to maneuver the stroller and car seat in and out of your vehicle every time, particularly with a newborn. However, if you are willing to spend the extra time each time to get it right, this can be a good option for a lot of families. Be sure to plan ahead, and choose a day when you will have plenty of time spare.