It's Time To Upgrade Your Infant Car Seat Rear Facing Options
Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
The most secure way to ensure your child is in a rear-facing infant car seat is to keep them there. Children should only be able to switch to an forward-facing car seat when they outgrow the weight and height limitations of their current car seat.
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Safety Benefits
Rear-facing infant car seats are the best option for newborns and young babies. This is because they support and cradle their head and neck. "Since their spines aren't ossified yet, it's important to keep the impact of a crash away from 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 can hit the seat infront of them. This can result in a whiplash that is severe or even fatal. In a rear-facing 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. Additionally the child's legs are secured into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown against the rear of the seat or any other surfaces in the vehicle. "This prevents them from hitting their own body, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents avoid ERF because they think their child is bored or uncomfortable. It's not the case with my son, Lukas. In fact Lukas prefers riding rear-facing because the seat's recline feature lets him stretch his legs while reading an article or watch TV.
If you do have a child that 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 best way for them to travel. Explain that the child is able to remain in the convertible or all-in one car seat so long as the height or weight limits aren't exceeded.
Make sure you secure your child in a rear-facing seat with the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Do not let them wear bulky clothes such as winter coats. They could compress during a crash, causing 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 infant car seats rear-facing for as long as they can, because they are less cumbersome and more mobile than convertible car seats. If you choose to keep your child rear-facing, he or she may need to be put in a bassinet or crib during nap time or bedtime. This could mean waking the sleeping child which isn't ideal. However, the security benefits of rear facing outweigh any discomfort.
The headrest is lower for preemies and newborns than for full-term babies. This helps to reduce the impact of an accident and ensures that the chest clip of the harness is below or 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.
Additionally, the rear-facing position provides an excellent view of your baby than the forward-facing position. portable infant car seat lets you monitor their behavior, and ensure they are comfortable and content. Many baby car seats have a built-in baby mirror that can be adjusted to view your child from virtually any angle.
When your baby is outgrowing their infant car seat, or is at the weight or height limit set by their 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 models even have higher rear-facing limits than rear-only cars, meaning they can be used for longer.
Convertible car seats or all-in-ones are well-known for their versatility. They can be used forward-facing, rear-facing, or as a belt positioning booster. They are also easier to install and remove because they have a large base in the back of your car. They're more expensive than single-use infant car seats but they last much longer than an infant seat and can save you money in the long run.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children remain rear-facing until they reach maximum weight and height limits established by the car seat manufacturer or are at least 2 years older. It is normal for children to outgrow their rear facing infant car seat when they reach the age of two. However, it's better to hold off until they reach the age of two.
Weight Limits
It is important to know that all infant car seats come with weight and height restrictions. Most have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds, and an upper height limit of 30 inches or so, based on the model. When your child has reached the limits, you can move to the next level of security. You can choose a convertible seat that permits your child to sit forward or rear-facing, or an all-in one car seat.
Apart from the weight and height limit, there are other indicators that show your child is prepared for the next phase of a car seat, including their level of comfort while sitting 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 help from certified child passenger safety specialists at a car seat inspection station that are usually run by local government agencies or community-based organizations.
Remaining rear-facing for your infant for as long as is possible is the most secure option for them and it's easy to see why parents are hesitant to turn their children back until they're completely grown. But you can ward off this temptation by making sure your child's seat is properly installed and don't rush to switch them to a forward-facing seat too soon even if they're close to the limit of weight or height of their current car seat.
If you're unsure whether your child is prepared for the next stage of car seat or you're worried that you may not be installing their current car seat in a correct manner Contact a certified child passenger safety technician. They are available through community groups and hospitals local government offices, and child safety programs. You can locate one near you by searching online or contacting your local health department or public safety agency. There are also mobile car seat check-in events that will visit your workplace or home to ensure that you have the correct equipment and are using it correctly.
Installation
The correct installation of a car seat is vital to ensure its safety. Sadly it is the case that the NHTSA states that nearly 50% of car seats are incorrectly installed (and this includes rear facing). The best way to make sure that your infant car seat is properly installed is to study the manual and have it professionally examined by a certified car safety technician.
Checking the angle is the first step to installing an infant car seat that faces rearwards. You can check the angle of the base on the side or in the user manual to make sure it is safe for your child's weight.
It is also important to ensure that your baby's head is at the right angle when in the seat. The forward-facing position can put pressure on the spine and neck of babies with their heavy heads and soft necks. In a rear-facing crash, the car seat's back absorbs most of the crash force, which protects the baby's delicate neck and spinal cord.
Once your child has reached the weight or height limit of their infant car seat, it is time to switch to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that can be used in the rear position until your child reaches their front-facing limit. Make sure to purchase a new infant car seat with more rear-facing capacity if you choose to change to this type of seat, because older models have lower limits.
If you opt for an infant car seat that can be detached from the car and re-attached to the stroller, it is an ideal option for parents who need to transport their infants in and out of the car regularly. The only drawback is that it could be time-consuming and difficult to get the stroller and car seat into and out of your car each time, especially with infants. This can be a good choice for many families who are willing to spend the time to make it happen every time. Plan ahead and pick the day you will have plenty of spare time.