Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
The safest way to keep your child 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 weight and height limits of the seat they are currently in.
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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 aren't ossified yet, it's important to keep the impact of a crash away from their necks and heads," says Purva Grover, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments. In a frontal crash the head of a child would strike the seat in front of them, causing whiplash that could be fatal or severe. In a rear-facing car seat the impact is absorption by the seat and dissipated by the back of the vehicle. "It's like hugging," says Adele. In addition 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 keeps them from crashing into their own body, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents are opposed to ERF because they fear that their child may become bored or uneasy. My son Lukas has never been bored or uncomfortable. In fact Lukas prefers to ride rear-facing since the recline feature allows him to cross his legs and read a book or watch tv.
If you have a child who is reluctant to face the rear due to their leg length or for other reasons convince them that this is the most secure option. 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.
Also, be certain to strap your child in a rear-facing car seat with the vehicle's lower anchor system or seat belt. Avoid letting them wear bulky clothing such as winter coats. These can compress when a collision occurs, which can cause the harness straps loosen. simply click the up coming post puts your child at risk of injury. Use the Pinch Test when fitting your child's harness.
Convenience
Many parents prefer keeping infant car seats facing rear as long as they can because they are more user-friendly and more mobile than convertible seats. However, placing your child in a rear-facing seat could mean that they need to be put in a crib or bassinet at nap times or bedtimes. This may require waking up the baby who is sleeping which isn't optimal. The safety advantages of rear-facing overshadow the inconvenience, however.
The headrest is lower for newborns and preemies than for full-term babies. This reduces the force of an accident and ensures that the chest clip on the harness is at the shoulders, and not at the neck. This is crucial 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 a much better view of your child than facing forward. This allows you to easily observe their behavior and ensure that they are comfortable and happy. The majority of infant car seats come with built-in mirrors that can be adjusted so that you can view your child from any angle.
When your baby is outgrowing their infant car seat or reaches the height or weight limit recommended by the manufacturer of their seat You can then switch to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that allows them to remain rear facing until they reach two years old. Some have rear-facing limits that are higher than rear-only seats, allowing them to be used for longer.
Convertible car seats or all-in one seats are renowned for being multi-functional. They can be used rear-facing or forward facing and as belt-positioning boosters. They usually also have a larger base in the back of your car which makes them easy to install and remove. They are more expensive than infant car seats that can be used once, but they'll last longer and save money over the course of time.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children remain rear-facing until they have reached the maximum weight and height limits established by the manufacturer of their car seat or are at least 2 years old. It's common for children to outgrow their rear-facing infant car seat when they turn two years old. However, it's best to wait.
Weight Limits
You must be aware that all car seats for infants have height and weight restrictions. The majority have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds, and a height limit of about 30 inches or so, depending on the model. When your child has reached the limit, you can move up to the next level of security. You can either choose a convertible seat that permits your child to be rear-facing or forward-facing or an all-in-one car seat.
Aside from a height and weight limit, there are other indicators that indicate 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 their age in their car seats. You can also ask for assistance from certified child safety experts at an inspection station for car seats which are often operated by local government agencies or community-based organizations.
It's ideal to keep your infant facing rear for as long as you can. This is why a lot of parents wait until their children are mature before they switch them over. You can avoid this temptation if you make sure your child's car seat is installed correctly and doesn't change them to a front-facing seat before they're ready even when their weight or height is within the limits of their existing seat.
You can contact a certified child passenger technician if there are any concerns about your child's readiness for the next phase of car seats or if you are concerned that you may not be installing the car seat correctly. They can be found through community groups, local government offices and child passenger safety programs. You can search online for one near you or contact your local public health department or safety agency. There are also mobile car seat check events that will visit your home or workplace to help ensure you have the right equipment and are using it correctly.
Installation
A car seat has to be properly installed to be effective. Sadly, the NHTSA estimates that more than 50% of car seats are not installed correctly (and this includes rear facing). The best way to make sure that your child's car seat is correctly installed is to read the instruction manual and have it checked by a certified car safety technician.
The first step in installing an infant rear facing car seat is to test the angle. Make sure the car seat base is in a safe position for the weight of your baby and height. You can check this on the indicator on the back of the car seat base or in the user manual.
It is also important to ensure that the baby's head is correctly positioned in the seat. The forward-facing position can put pressure on the neck and spine of babies with their heavy heads and soft necks. If a rear-facing collision occurs, the car seat's back absorbs the majority of the crash force, which protects the baby's delicate neck and spinal cord.
When your child is at the weight or height limit of the infant car seat, it's time to change to a convertible seat or all-in one car seat. These can be used in a rear-facing configuration to the front-facing limit. Make sure you purchase a new infant car seat that has an increased rear-facing limit when you decide to switch to this type of car seat, as older models have lower limits.
If you opt for an infant car seat that can be removed from the car and re-attached to strollers, this is a great option for parents who want to take their infants into and out of the car regularly. The only drawback is that it can be a hassle and time-consuming to move the car seat and stroller in and out of your vehicle every time, especially for infants. This could be a good choice for many families if they are willing to invest the time to get it right every time. Make sure to plan ahead, and choose a date when you have plenty of time to spare.