The Little-Known Benefits Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
Keep your child in a car seat for infants rear-facing is the best option. Children should only be moved to a car seat that faces forward once they have reached the weight and height limits of the seat they are currently in.
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Safety Benefits
Utilizing a car seat for infants rear facing is the most secure option for newborns and babies because of the way it cradles and supports their neck and head. "Since their spines haven't ossified yet, it's important to keep the impact of a crash away from their heads and necks," explains Purva Grover, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments. In a frontal crash a baby's head would strike the seat in front of them, causing a whiplash effect that can be severe or fatal. In a rear-facing car seat, however, the impact is absorbed and dissipated in the back of the car. "It's like a hug," says Adele. In addition, the child's legs are secured into their car seat, which prevents them from being thrown against the back of the front seat or other vehicle surfaces. "This keeps them from crashing into their own body, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents are against ERF because they think their child will be bored or uncomfortable. My son Lukas has never been bored or uncomfortable. In fact Lukas prefers riding rear-facing since the recline feature allows him to sit on his legs and read a book or watch TV.
If you do have an older child who isn't keen on being in a rear-facing car seat because of leg length or any other reason Try to convince them that it's the best method of travel for them. Explain that the child can remain in the convertible or all-in-one car seat so long as the weight or height limits aren't exceeded.
Also, make sure to buckle your child into the rear-facing car seat securely by using the vehicle's lower anchor system or seat belt. Avoid letting them wear bulky clothing such as winter coats. These can compress when a collision occurs, which can cause the straps of the harness to loosen. This puts your child at risk of injury. Use the Pinch Test when fitting your child's harness.
Convenience
Many parents prefer to keep infant car seats rear-facing for as long as they can because they are easier to use and more mobile than convertible car seats. However placing your child in a rear-facing vehicle could mean that they need to be taken out of the bassinet or crib at nap times or times of bedtime. This may require waking up the baby who was sleeping which isn't optimal. The security advantages of rear-facing far outweigh this inconvenience, however.
Preemies and newborns are smaller than full-term newborns and therefore the headrest of their car seat is lower. This reduces the impact of an accident. It also ensures that the chest clip on the harness is at the shoulders, and not at the neck. This is crucial for premature infants whose bones are still weak and have not ossified after birth or pregnancy.
In addition the rear-facing position gives an excellent view of your child than facing forward. This allows you to observe their behavior and make sure they are happy and comfortable. Most infant car seats have built-in mirrors that can be adjusted so that you can observe your child from any angle.
Once your baby outgrows their car seat for infants or is at the weight or height limit recommended by the manufacturer of their seat You can then switch to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that will allow them to remain rear-facing until they reach two years old. Some rear-facing car seats have limits that are higher than rear-only car seats, allowing them to be used for a longer period of time.
Convertible car seats or all-in-ones are known for their versatility. They can be used rear-facing, forward facing, and as a belt-positioning booster. They are also easier to set up and take down due to their large base in the back of your vehicle. They are more expensive than infant car seats that can be used only once, but they'll last longer and save you money over time.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing up to the maximum height and weight limits that are set by the manufacturer of their car seat or until they reach at least two years old. It is common for children to outgrow their rear-facing infant car seat when they reach the age of two. However, it's better to wait.
Weight Limits

You must be aware that all infant car seats come with weight and height limits. The majority of them have a weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds, and a height limit of around 30 inches or so, depending on the model. When your child has reached the limits, you can proceed to the next level of safety. You can opt for a convertible seat that allows your child to sit forward or rear-facing, or an all-in one car seat.
There are other factors apart from the weight and height limit, that can indicate whether your child is able to move up a stage in a car seat. One of these is their level of comfort when riding rear-facing. You can look for these signs by watching your child's behavior and looking at other children in their carseats. You can also seek advice from certified child passenger safety experts at a car seat inspection station, which is often operated by local government or community-based organizations.
It's recommended to keep your child rear-facing as long as you can. This is why a lot of parents wait until their children are grown before turning them around. But you can ward off this temptation by making sure that your child's seat is properly installed and that you don't rush to switch them to a forward-facing seat too quickly even if they're not close to the limits on weight or height of their current car seat.
If you're uncertain 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 a certified child safety technician. These specialists are available through community organizations and hospitals local government offices, and child passenger safety programs. You can locate one close to you by looking online or by contacting your local health department or public safety agency. Mobile car seat check events can be held at your office or home to ensure that you have the right equipment and are using it correctly.
Push Chairs And Prams must be installed correctly to be efficient. The NHTSA states, with regret, that nearly half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to make sure that your child's car seats are correctly installed is to read the instructions, and then have them professionally examined by a certified car safety technician.
The first step when installing a rear facing infant car seat is to determine the angle. Check that the car seat base is in a safe position to support the weight of your child and height. You can check this on the the base of the base or in the user manual.
Also, make sure that your baby's head is placed at the right angle when in the seat. Forward-facing positions can put pressure on the neck and spine of babies due to their hefty heads and soft necks. If a rear-facing collision occurs, a car seat's back absorbs most of the crash force. This protects the baby's neck and the spinal cord.
Once your child has reached the weight or height limit of their infant car seat and is now weighing more than a pound, it's time to transition to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that can be used in the rear-facing position until your child has reached their front-facing limit. Make sure you purchase a new infant car seat with an increased rear-facing limit when you choose to change to this type of seat because older models have lower limits.
Parents who frequently transport their children by car will find it convenient to choose an infant car-seat that is able to be removed and attached to strollers. It can be challenging and time-consuming to move your stroller and car seat into and out of your vehicle every time, especially if you have a newborn. This could be a good option for a lot of families who are willing to invest the time to do it right each time. Plan ahead and pick the day you will have plenty of time.