Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing

The most secure way to keep your child in an infant car seat that faces rearwards is to keep them there. Children should only be moved to a car seat that faces forward once they have reached the weight and height limits of their current seat.

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Safety Benefits

Rear-facing infant car seats are the most secure option for newborns and young babies. This is because they are able to support and cradle their head and neck. "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 will hit the seat infront of them. This can cause a whiplash that is severe or even fatal. In a rear-facing car seat, however, the impact is absorbed by the seat and then dissipated in the back of the vehicle. "It's like a hug," says Adele. The legs of a child can be secured into the car seat to protect them from being thrown into the rear of the seat or any other surface in the vehicle. "This stops them from crashing into their own body, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.

Many parents resist ERF because they believe their child is bored or uncomfortable. My son Lukas has never been uncomfortable or bored. In fact Lukas prefers riding rear-facing since the recline feature allows him to cross his legs and read a book or watch TV.

However, if you have an older child who is resistant to being in a rear-facing car seat because of leg length or other reasons try convincing them that it's the most secure way for them to travel. Explain that they are able to stay in their convertible or all-in-one car seats provided they don't exceed the height or weight limits that are set by the seat's manufacturer.

Also, be certain to strap 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. They can expand 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 their infant car seats facing rear as long as possible because they are a breeze to use and more portable infant car seat than convertible car seats. However placing your child in a rear-facing seat might mean they have to be taken out of the bassinet or crib at time of nap or times of bedtime. This could result in waking the sleeping child which isn't ideal. However, the safety advantages of rear facing are greater than any discomfort.

The headrest is lower for newborns and preemies than for full-term babies. This helps reduce the force of an impact and also ensures that the harness's chest clip is placed below their shoulders, not at their necks. This is particularly important for premature babies, who have weaker bones, and haven't ossified from pregnancy or birth.

In addition, the rear-facing position provides an excellent view of your baby than the forward-facing position. This allows you to observe their behavior and ensure that they are content and happy. The majority of infant car seats come with built-in baby mirrors that can be adjusted to allow you to view your child from almost every angle.

When your child is no longer in their car seat for infants, or attains the weight or height limit set by their seat manufacturer you can move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that will allow 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 a longer period of time.

Convertible or all-in-one car seats are known for their versatility. They can be used forward-facing, rear-facing, or as a belt-positioning booster. They usually also come with a large base at the back of your vehicle which makes them easy to remove and install. They are more expensive than single-use infant car seats, however they last longer than an infant seat and can 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 allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat and up to at minimum two years old. Many children outgrow their rear-facing infant car seats on sale car seat before the age of two however, don't be enticed to switch them around earlier. It's safer to keep it in the rear for a while.

Weight Limits

You must be aware that all infant car seats have height and weight restrictions. 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. If your child is reaching the limits, it's time to move to the next stage of safety. This could be a convertible car seat that can switch 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 that is recommended by the manufacturer.

Apart from a height and weight limit, there are other indicators that show your child is prepared for the next phase of car seats, such as their level of comfort when riding rear-facing. You can observe these indicators in your child's behavior and compare it with other children similar to them in their car seats. You can also ask for assistance from a certified child passenger safety technicians at a car seat inspection station which are often operated by local government agencies or community groups.

It's recommended to keep your child rear-facing for as long as you can. This is why a lot of parents wait until their children are fully mature before they switch them over. You can avoid this temptation if you make sure your child's car seat is installed correctly and don't change to a front-facing seat before they're ready even if their weight or height is near the limits of their current seat.

Contact a certified child passenger technician if you have 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. These specialists are available through community organizations and hospitals, local government offices, and child passenger safety programs. You can search online for a specialist near you or contact your local public health department or safety agency. Mobile car seat check-in events can be held at your workplace or at home to ensure that you have the correct equipment and are using them correctly.

Installation

The correct installation of a car seat is crucial to its effectiveness. The NHTSA has found that nearly half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best car seat newborn way to ensure that your infant car seat is installed correctly is to read the instruction manual and have it examined by a certified car safety technician.

Checking the angle is the first step in installing an infant car seat that faces rearwards. Make sure that the car seat base is at a safe angle to support the weight of your child that is visible on the the back of the car seat base or in the user manual.

Also, make sure that your baby's head is in the right angle in the seat. Babies have big heads and soft necks, and a forward-facing posture could cause pressure on their neck and spine in the event of a collision. If a rear-facing collision occurs the back of the car seat absorbs the majority of the collision force, which shields the baby's delicate neck and spinal cord.

When your child has reached the limit of weight or height of the infant car seat, it's time to change to a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat. These can be used in a rear-facing configuration to the front-facing limit. If you decide to switch to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat, be sure that the new model has a greater rearward facing limit. Older models have lower limits.

If you choose an infant car seat that can be detached from the car, and then re-attached to a stroller, this is a great option for parents who wish to transport their infants in and out of the car regularly. The only downside to this is that it can be tricky and time consuming to maneuver the stroller and car seat in and out of your vehicle every time, especially for a newborn. This can be a good option for a lot of families, when they are willing to invest the time to get it right every time. Make sure you think ahead and pick the day that you have plenty of time to spare.