Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing

Keep your child in an infant car seat facing rearwards is the most secure option. Children should only be transferred to a 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

Rear-facing infant car seats are the most secure choice for newborns and small babies. This is because they support and cradle their neck and head. "Since their spines aren't been ossified yet, it's vital to keep the force of a crash off their necks and heads," explains Purva Grover, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments. In a frontal collision the baby's head will hit the seat in front of them. This can result in a whiplash that is extremely painful or even fatal. However, in a 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." Additionally the child's legs are tucked into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown against the rear of the seat or any other surfaces in the vehicle. "This prevents a collision with their own bodies, which causes internal injuries," she explains.

Many parents are opposed to ERF because they are afraid that their child will be bored or uncomfortable. My son Lukas has never been bored or uncomfortable. He prefers sitting in the rear as the seat reclines, which allows him to read a book, or watch TV while doing it.

If you have a child who is reluctant to face the rear due to their length of legs or other reasons you can convince them that this is the safest option. Explain that the child is able to remain in the convertible or all-in one car seat as long as the height or weight limits aren't exceeded.

Also, be sure to buckle your child in the rear-facing car seat securely using the lower anchor system or seat belt. Don't let them wear bulky clothing such as winter coats as they can be compressed in the event of a crash and cause the harness straps to loosen and place your child at risk of injury. Always make use of the Pinch Test to ensure a tight fit.

Convenience

Many parents prefer keeping infant car seats rear-facing as long as possible because they are less cumbersome and more mobile than convertible seats. If you keep your child rear-facing, they may require being placed in a crib or a bassinet for nap or time to sleep. This may require waking up the baby who is sleeping which is not ideal. However, the security benefits of rear facing outweigh any inconvenience.

Newborn babies and preemies 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' chest clip is at or below their shoulders, not at their necks. This is especially important for premature babies who have weaker bones and haven't ossified from pregnancy or birth.

Additionally the rear-facing position gives a much better view of your child than facing forward. This allows you to easily check their behavior and make sure they are content and happy. The majority of infant car seats come with a built-in mirror that can be adjusted so you can see your child at any angle.

You can utilize a convertible car seat or an all-in one seat to keep your child rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Some even have higher rear-facing limits than rear-only cars, meaning they can be used for longer.

Convertible or all-in-one car seats are renowned for their versatility. They can be used rear-facing, forward facing, and as a belt-positioning booster. They usually also have a larger base in the back of your vehicle, making them easier to install and remove. They are more expensive than car seats for infants that are used once, but they'll last longer and save you money over the course of time.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing up to the maximum height and weight limits that are set by their car seat manufacturer and up to at least two years old. Many children are outgrowing their rear-facing infant seat before age two However, don't be enticed to change them earlier -- it's safer to keep it in the rear for a while.

Weight Limits

All baby car seats have weight and height limits you need to be aware of. The majority of cheap infant car seats car seats have a weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds and a height limit of around 30 inches, based on the model. If your child is reaching the limits, it's time to move on to the next stage of safety. This could be a convertible car seat that allows you to change between rear facing and forward facing, or an all-in one car seat that lets your child ride rear facing until they reach the maximum height and weight suggested by the manufacturer.

There are other aspects, besides the weight and height limits, 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 in your child's behavior and compare it to other children similar to yours in their car seats. You can also seek advice from certified child safety experts at a car seat inspection station, which is typically operated by local governments or community organizations.

Remaining rear-facing for your infant car seats best for as long as is possible is the best option for them, and it's easy to understand why parents are reluctant to turn their kids around until they're mature. It's possible to avoid this temptation by making sure that your child's car seat is installed correctly and doesn't switch them to a front-facing car seat before they are ready, even if their weight or height is close to the limits of their current seat.

You can reach a certified child passenger technician if there are any questions about your child's readiness for the next phase of car seats or if you're concerned that you may not install the car seat correctly. They are available through community groups, local government offices, and child passenger safety programs. You are able to locate one near you by looking online or by contacting your local health department or public safety agency. Mobile car seat check-in events can be held at your office or home to ensure you have the right equipment and that you are using them 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 installed incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best car seats way to be sure that your infant car seats are installed correctly is to go through the instructions, and then have them professionally checked by an accredited car safety technician.

Checking the angle is the first step in installing the rear-facing infant car seat. Make sure the car seat base is at a safe angle for your baby's weight and height. You can check this on the indicator on the side of the base or in the user's manual.

You should also make sure that the head of your baby is correctly positioned in the seat. Babies have big heads and soft necks, and a forward-facing position can cause pressure on their necks and spine in the event of a collision. In a rear-facing collision, the car seat's back absorbs most of the crash force, which shields the lightweight baby car seat's delicate neck as well as spinal cord.

When your child is at the limit of weight or height of the infant car seat, it's time to move over to a convertible car seat or all-in-one seat. They can be used in a rear-facing configuration up to the front-facing limit. Make sure to purchase an infant car seat that has more rear-facing capacity if you switch to this type of seat, since older models have lower limits.

If you opt for an infant car seat that is able to be removed from the car and then reattached to a stroller, this is an ideal option for parents who need to take their infants into and out of the car often. The only drawback is that it can be time-consuming and difficult to maneuver the car seat and stroller into and out of your vehicle each time, especially with infants. If you're willing to take the extra time each time to do it right, this could be a great option for a lot of families. Make a plan and pick the day when you have plenty of time.