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 transferred to an infant car seat that faces forward when they reach the limit of their weight and height in the seat they are currently in.
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Safety Benefits
Using an infant car seat rear facing is the most secure option for newborns and babies because it holds and supports their neck and head. "Since their spines aren't been ossified, it's crucial to keep the impact of a collision off their heads and necks," says Purva Grover, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments. In a frontal crash, the baby's head could strike the seat in front of them, causing whiplash effects that can be fatal or even fatal. However, in the rear-facing car seat the impact is taken up 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 into the car seat to protect them from being thrown into the rear of the seat or any other vehicle surface. "This stops them from crashing into their own body, which could cause internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents are against ERF because they think their child is bored or uncomfortable. This is not the case for my son, Lukas. He prefers to sit rear-facing as the seat reclines, which allows him to read a book, or watch TV while doing so.
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 to convince them that it's the most secure method of travel for them. Explain that they are able to stay in their convertible or all-in-one seats provided they don't exceed the height and weight limits set by the seat manufacturer.
Also, be certain to strap your child into a rear-facing car seat by using the vehicle's lower anchor system or seat belt. Don't allow them to wear bulky clothes like winter coats, as these can compress during a crash, causing the harness straps to loosen and place your child at risk of injuries. Always make use of the Pinch Test to ensure a secure fit.
Convenience
Many parents prefer to keep infant car seats facing rear as long as they can because they are less cumbersome and more mobile than convertible car seats. However having your child in a rear-facing car seat may mean they have to be put in a crib or bassinet at times of nap or at bedtimes. This could result in waking the sleeping child which isn't ideal. The safety advantages of rear-facing far outweigh this inconvenience, but.
Preemies and newborns are smaller than full-term newborns, so the headrest of their car seats is lower. This reduces the force of an impact and also ensures that the harness's chest clip is at or below their shoulders, not at their necks. This is essential for premature infants with bones that aren't strong enough and have not been ossified since birth or pregnancy.
Additionally the rear-facing position gives a much better view of your child than facing forward. This lets you easily monitor their behavior and make sure they are happy and comfortable. The majority of baby car seat s have a built-in baby mirror that can be adjusted to allow you to view your child from almost any angle.
You can choose convertible car seats or an all-in one seat to keep your child rear-facing until they reach the recommended weight or height limit. Some models even have higher rear-facing limits than the rear-only seats, meaning they are able to be used for longer.
Convertible car seats or all-in one seats are known as versatile. They can be used backward facing or forward facing, as well as a belt-positioning booster. They are also easier to remove and install due to their large base in the back of your vehicle. They are more expensive than single-use infant car seats, but they last much longer than an infant seat and will 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 set by the car seat manufacturer or are at least 2 years old. Many children grow out of their rear-facing infant car seat before the age of two however, don't be enticed to change them earlier. It's safer to be patient.
Weight Limits
All baby car seats have weight and height limits that you need to keep in mind. The majority of them have a weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds and an upper height limit of 30 inches or so, based on the model. When your child has reached these limits, it's the time to move to the next level of safety. You can choose a convertible car seat that allows you to switch between forward and rear facing, or an all-in-one seat that lets your kiddo ride backwards until they reach the maximum height and weight suggested by the manufacturer.
In addition to the weight and height limit, there are also other indicators that show your child is prepared for the next phase of car seats, such as their level of comfort while sitting rear facing. You can check for these signs by watching your kiddo's behavior and comparing them to other children in their car seats. You can also seek help from certified child safety experts at a car seat inspection station, which is usually operated by local governments or community-based organizations.
Remaining rear-facing for your infant as long as possible is safest for them, and it's easy to see why parents are hesitant to turn their kids around until they're fully grown. You can avoid this temptation if you make sure that your child's car seat is properly installed and don't switch them to a front-facing car seat before they're ready even the weight or height is near the limits of their current seat.
You can reach a certified child passenger technician if you have concerns about your child's readiness for the next stage of car seats or if you're concerned that you may not install the car seat correctly. These experts can be found through community organizations, local government offices, and child 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 which can come to your workplace or at home to help ensure you have the proper equipment and are using it correctly.
Installation
A car seat needs to be installed correctly in order to be effective. The NHTSA reports, sadly, that nearly half of car seats are installed incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best method to make sure that your child's car seats are properly installed is to read through the instructions, and after that, have them checked by an accredited car safety technician.
Verifying the angle is the first step in installing a rear-facing infant car seat. Make sure that the base of the car seat is set at a suitable angle to support the weight of your child that is visible on the the base of the base or in its user's manual.
You should also make sure that the head of your baby is positioned correctly in the seat. Forward-facing positions can cause pressure on the neck and spine of babies due to their hefty heads and soft necks. In a rear-facing crash, the car seat's back absorbs the majority of the crash force, which shields the baby's delicate neck and spinal cord.
When your baby is at the weight limit or height of their infant car seat It is the time to switch to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat, which can be used in the rear position until your child has reached their front-facing limit. Make sure to purchase a new infant car seat with a higher rear-facing limit if you choose to change to this type of seat, as older models have lower limits.
If you choose an infant car seat that is able to be detached from the car and re-attached to a stroller, this is an ideal option for parents who want to transport their infants in and out of the car frequently. It can be challenging and time-consuming to get your stroller and car seat in and out of the vehicle every time, especially in the case of a newborn. If you're willing to invest the extra time each time to get it right, this can be a great alternative for many families. Be sure to think ahead and pick a date when you have plenty of time spare.