15 Startling Facts About Infant Car Seat Rear Facing You've Never Known

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 best option. Children should only be transferred to a car seat that faces forward once they have reached the maximum weight and height of the seat they are currently in. Remember that the body paragraphs are arranged like a hamburger. The introduction and conclusion sentences are the top and bottom buns. The bulk of the essay are the supporting body paragraphs. Safety Benefits Rear-facing infant car seats are the safest choice for newborns and small babies. This is because they support and cradle their necks and heads. “Since their spines haven't been ossified yet, it's vital to keep the force of a crash off their heads and necks,” says Purva Grover, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments. In a frontal collision, the baby's head is likely to hit the seat in front of them. This can cause a whiplash that is severe or even fatal. In a rear-facing seat, however, the impact is absorbed by the seat and then dissipated at the back of the car. “It's like a hug,” says Adele. The legs of a child can be placed into the car seat to prevent them from being thrown against the back of front seat or any other surface of the vehicle. “This helps to prevent collisions with the inside of their bodies, which can cause internal injuries,” she explains. Many parents resist ERF because they fear their child will be bored or uncomfortable. This is not the case for my son, Lukas. In fact Lukas prefers riding rear-facing since the recline feature allows him to sit on his legs and read a book or watch TV. If you do have an older child who is hesitant to sit in a rear-facing seat because of leg length or other factors Try to convince them that it's the most secure method of travel for them. Explain that your child can remain in the convertible or all-in one car seat as long as the height or weight limit is not exceeded. Be sure to secure your child in a rear-facing car seat using the lower anchor system or seat belt. Don't allow them to wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats, since they can be compressed during a crash, causing the straps of the harness to become loose and put your child at risk of injuries. Always make use of the Pinch Test to ensure a secure fit. Convenience Many parents prefer keeping infant car seats rear-facing as long as they can, because they are less cumbersome and more mobile than convertible seats. If you choose to keep your child rear-facing, they might need to be put in a bassinet or crib at nap or at bedtime. This could result in waking the sleeping child and this isn't a good idea. However, the security advantages of rear facing far outweigh any inconvenience. The headrest is lower for preemies and newborns than for full-term babies. This helps reduce the force of an accident and ensures that the chest clip on the harness is at the shoulders, not at the neck. This is important for premature infants with bones that aren't strong enough and are not fully ossedified following birth or pregnancy. Additionally the rear-facing position offers an excellent view of your child than facing forward. best car seats for infants lets you monitor their behavior, and ensure they are happy and comfortable. The majority of infant car seats have built-in baby mirrors that can be adjusted to see your child from virtually every angle. You can use 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 even 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 rear facing or forward facing and as a belt-positioning booster. They typically also have a large base in the back of your vehicle making them easier to install and remove. These seats are more expensive than infant car seats that are used once, but they'll last longer and save money over time. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children remain rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight and height limits set by their car seat manufacturer or at least 2 years old. Many children grow out of their rear-facing infant car seat before age two however, don't be enticed to change them earlier. It's safer to be patient. Weight Limits All infant car seats have weight and height limits you need to be aware of. The majority of infant car seats have a maximum weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds and the height limit is around 30 inches, depending on the model. When your child has reached the limits, you can proceed 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. In addition to a height and weight limit, there are other factors that indicate your child is prepared for the next step in a car seat, including their comfort level while riding rear facing. You can identify these signs by observing your child's behavior, and then looking at other children in their car seats. You can also seek help from certified child safety technicians at a car seat inspection station, which are often run by local government agencies or community organizations. Keep your infant rear-facing as long as possible is safest for them, and it's easy to see why so many parents are reluctant to turn their children back until they're fully grown. It's possible to avoid this temptation by making sure that your child's car seats is installed correctly and don't change to a front-facing seat before they're ready even when their weight or height is near the limits of their current seat. If you have questions about whether your child is prepared for the next stage of car seat or you're concerned that you may not have installed the car seat correctly contact a certified child safety technician. These specialists are available through community organizations and hospitals, 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 car seat check events that are mobile that will visit your workplace or at home to make sure you have the right equipment and are making use of it properly. Installation The correct installation of a car seat is essential for its effectiveness. The NHTSA reports, sadly, that nearly half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to ensure that your child's car seat is installed correctly is to study the manual and have it verified by a certified vehicle safety technician. Verifying the angle is the first step to 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 and height. You can check this on the the side of the car seat base or in its user manual. You should also be sure that your baby's head is in the right angle when in the seat. Babies have big heads and soft necks, and a forward-facing position can put pressure on their neck and spine in the event of a collision. In a rear-facing collision the back of a car seat absorbs most of the crash force. This protects the baby’s neck and spinal cord. Once your child has reached the weight or height limit of their infant car seat It is the time to move to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat, which can be used in a rear-facing position until your child reaches their front-facing limit. Be sure to get a new infant car seat with a higher rear-facing limit if you choose to change to this type of seat because older models have lower limits. Parents who often transport their infants by car will be able to choose an infant car-seat that can be detached and attached to a stroller. The only downside to this is that it could be a hassle and time-consuming to get the car seat and stroller in and out of your car every time, especially for a newborn. However, if you are willing to take the extra time each time to do it right, this could be a good option for a lot of families. Make a plan and pick the day when you have plenty of time.