Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
Insuring that your child is in a car seat that is rear facing is the safest option. Children should only be moved to a forward-facing car seat once they have reached the weight and height limitations of their current car seat.
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Safety Benefits
Utilizing a car seat for infants rear facing is the most secure option for infants and newborns due to the way it holds and supports 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 could strike the seat in front of them, causing a whiplash effect that can be fatal or severe. In a rear-facing seat however, the impact is absorbed and dissipated in the back of the car. "It's like hugging," says Adele. In addition, the child's legs are put into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown against the back of the front seat or any other surface of the vehicle. "This prevents them from colliding with their own body, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents are opposed to ERF because they are afraid that their child may become bored or uneasy. Neither has been true for my son, Lukas. He prefers sitting rear-facing since the seat reclines, which allows him to read a book or watch a show while he does so.
If you have children who are reluctant to be rear-facing because of their leg length or for other reasons you can convince them that this is the best 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 limit is not exceeded.
Also, make sure to buckle your child in a rear-facing car seat tightly with the vehicle's lower anchor system or seat belt. Don't allow them to wear bulky clothes, such as winter coats as they could be swollen in a crash and cause the straps of the harness to become loose and put your child at risk for injuries. Use the Pinch Test when fitting your child's harness.
Convenience
Many parents prefer to keep their infant car seats rear-facing for as long as is possible, as they are a breeze to use and more portable than convertible car seats. If you keep your child rear-facing, they might have to be placed in a crib or bassinet during nap time or time to sleep. This could mean waking the sleeping child and this isn't a good idea. However, the security advantages of rear facing are greater than any inconvenience.
The headrest is lower for preemies and newborns than for full-term babies. This helps reduce the impact force and also ensures that the harness's chest clip is located below their shoulders rather than at their necks. This is particularly important for premature babies who have weaker bones and still aren't fully ossedified from pregnancy or birth.
The rear-facing position lets you observe your baby more clearly than a forward-facing position. This lets you monitor their behavior, and ensure they are happy and comfortable. The majority of baby car seats have a built-in baby mirror that can be adjusted to view your child from almost any angle.
When your baby is outgrowing their infant car seat or attains the weight or height limit recommended by the manufacturer of their seat you can move to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that will allow them to remain rear facing until they are at least two years old. Some rear-facing car seats have limits that are higher than rear-only car seats which allows them to be used for a longer period of time.
All-in-one or convertible car seats are known for their versatility. They can be used rear-facing, forward facing, and as belt-positioning boosters. They are also easier to remove and install because they are built with a large base in the back of your vehicle. They are more expensive than single-use infant car seats however they last 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 their car seat manufacturer or at least 2 years older. It's common for children to outgrow their rear facing infant car seat when they reach the age of two. But, it's always better to hold off until they reach the age of two.
Weight Limits
It is important to know that all infant car seats have height and weight restrictions. Most infant car seats have a weight limit of 30 to 35 lbs and a height limit of around 30 inches, based on the model. When your child has reached the limit, you can move up to the next level of security. You can opt for a convertible seat that allows your child to ride either forward or rear-facing or an all-in-one car seat.
There are other aspects, besides the weight and height limit that can indicate if your child is ready to move up a stage in the car seat. One of these is their level of comfort when riding backwards. You can check for these signs by watching your child's behavior, and then comparing them to other children of similar age in their carseats. You can also seek advice from certified child passenger safety experts at a car seat inspection station, which is typically run by local government or community-based organizations.
It is ideal to keep your infant rear-facing for as long as you can. This is why many parents wait until their children are mature before allowing them to turn around. You can ward off this temptation by making sure that your child's car seat is properly installed and don't switch them to a front-facing seat before they are ready, even if their weight or height is near the limits of their existing seat.
If you're unsure whether your child is ready to move on to the next car seat stage or you're concerned that you may not be installing the car seat correctly Contact a certified child safety technician. They are available through community groups, hospitals and 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. There are also mobile car seat check-in events which can come to your home or workplace to make sure you have the right equipment and are using it correctly.
Installation
The correct installation of a car seat is crucial to its effectiveness. The NHTSA states, with regret, that more than half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to be sure that your child's car seats are properly installed is to go through the manual, after that, have them assessed by a certified vehicle safety technician.
The angle check is the first step in installing the rear-facing infant car seat. Check that the base of the car seat is at a safe angle to support the weight of your child that is visible on the the side of the car seat base or in the user's manual.
Also, ensure that the baby's head is properly positioned in the seat. The forward-facing position could put pressure on the spine and neck of babies with their heavy heads and soft necks. If a rear-facing collision occurs the back of the car seat absorbs the majority of the crash force, which shields the baby'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 is time to switch to a convertible seat or all-in-one seat. These seats can be used in a rear-facing configuration up to the front-facing limit. Make sure you purchase an infant car seat with more rear-facing capacity if you choose to change to this type of seat as older models have lower limits.
Parents who often transport their infants by car will appreciate the ability to choose an infant car-seat that is able to be removed and attached to the stroller. The only downside to this is that it can be time-consuming and difficult to get the stroller and car seat into and out of your car each time, especially with a newborn. If you're willing to spend the extra time each time to get it right, this can be a great option for many families. Make sure you think ahead and pick a date when you have plenty of time spare.