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 moved to the car seat facing forward once they have reached the maximum weight and height of the seat they are currently in.

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Safety Benefits

Rear-facing infant car seats are the best choice for newborns and small babies. This is because they support and cradle their neck and head. "Since their spines aren't ossified yet, it's important to keep the impact of a collision off their necks and heads," 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, creating whiplash that could be severe or fatal. In a rear-facing car seat the impact is absorption by the seat and then dissipated through the rear of the vehicle. "It's like hugging," says Adele. Additionally, the child's legs are secured into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown forward against the back of the front seat or other vehicle surfaces. "This stops them from hitting their own body, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.

Many parents are against ERF because they fear their child is bored or uncomfortable. Neither has been true for my son, Lukas. He prefers sitting rear-facing, because the seat reclines, which allows him to read a book or watch TV while he does so.

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

Also, make sure to buckle your child into a rear-facing car seat tightly with the vehicle's lower anchor system or seat belt. Don't allow them to wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats, since they could be swollen in a crash and cause the straps of the harness to become loose, putting your child at risk for injuries. Make sure to use the Pinch Test when fitting your child's harness.

Convenience

Many parents prefer to keep infant car seats rear-facing for as long as they can because they are less cumbersome and more mobile than convertible seats. However, having your child in a rear-facing seat might mean they have to be put in a crib or bassinet at nap times or time of bed. This could mean waking the child who is sleeping, which is not ideal. The security advantages of rear-facing far outweigh this inconvenience, however.

Newborn babies and preemies are smaller than full-term infants, so the headrest of their car seat is lower. This helps reduce the impact force and also ensures that the harness's chest clip is at or below their shoulders, not at their necks. This is particularly important for premature babies, who have weaker bones and aren't fully ossedified from pregnancy or birth.

The rear-facing position also allows you to see your baby better than a forward-facing position. This lets you monitor their behavior and make sure they are content and happy. Most infant car seats have built-in mirrors that can be adjusted to ensure that 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 their maximum weight or height limit. Some have rear-facing limits that are higher than rear-only car seats which allows them to be used for a longer period of time.

Convertible car seats or all-in-ones are known for their versatility. They can be used rear-facing, forward facing, and as a belt-positioning booster. They are also easier to set up and take down because they are built with a large base at the back of your vehicle. They're 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 recommends that children ride rear-facing until the maximum height and weight limit that are set by the car seat manufacturer or until they reach at minimum two years old. Many children are outgrowing their rear-facing infant seat before the age of two However, don't be enticed to change them earlier. It's better to be patient.

Weight Limits

You should be aware that all car seats for infants come with height and weight restrictions. The majority have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds, and an upper height limit of 30 inches or so, based on the model. Once your child reaches the limit, you can move up to the next level of safety. You can choose an adjustable seat that allows your child to sit rear-facing or forward-facing or an all-in-one car seat.

Apart from a height and weight limit, there are other factors that indicate your child is ready to move on to the next stage of a car seat, such as their level of comfort while riding rear-facing. You can find these indicators in your child's behavior, and compare it to other children similar to yours in their car seats. You can also seek assistance from certified child safety experts at a car seat inspection station, which is often operated by local government or community groups.

It's best to keep your infant facing rear for as long as you can. This is why a lot of parents wait until their children are completely grown before turning them around. But you can still avoid this temptation by making sure your child's seat is properly installed and that you 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 ready for the next stage in their car seat or you're concerned that you may not have installed their current car seat in a correct manner, reach out to a certified child safety technician. These specialists are available through community organizations such as hospitals, local government offices, and child safety programs. You can find 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 ensure that you have the proper equipment and are making use of it properly.

Installation

Installing a car seat correctly is crucial to its effectiveness. The NHTSA has found that nearly half of car seats are installed incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to make sure that your child's 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 towards installing the rear-facing infant car seat. You can verify the angle of the base on the side or in the user manual to ensure it is safe for your child's weight.

Also, make sure that your baby's head is in the right angle in the seat. Forward-facing positions can create pressure on the spine and neck of infants with their large heads and soft necks. If a rear-facing collision occurs the back of a car seat absorbs the majority of the crash force. This protects the baby's neck and spinal cord.

Once your child has reached the weight limit or height of the infant car seat in front seat car seat it is time to switch to a convertible seat or all-in-one seat. They can be used in a rear-facing orientation up to the front-facing limit. If you decide to change to a convertible or an all-in-one 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 in front seat 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 wish to get their infants in and out of the car regularly. It can be difficult and time-consuming to get your car seat and stroller into and out of your vehicle every time, especially if you have a newborn. However, if you are willing to spend the extra time each time to get it right, this can be a good option for many families. Make sure to plan ahead and select a day when you will have plenty of time to spare.