Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
The safest way to ensure your child is in an infant car seat that faces rearwards is to keep them there. Children should only be moved to a forward-facing car seat once they outgrow the height and weight limits of their current car seat.
Remember that body paragraphs are structured like hamburgers. The introduction and conclusion sentences are the top and bottom buns. infant car seat travel of the essay is the supporting body paragraphs.
Safety Benefits
Using an infant car seat rear facing is the safest option for babies and infants because of the way it cradles and supports their neck and head. Purva Grover MD director of the Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments, explains that since their spines aren't ossified, it's crucial to keep the force of the crash away from their heads and necks. In a frontal collision the baby's head will hit the seat in front of them. This can result in a whiplash that can be severe or even fatal. However, in a rear-facing car seat the impact is absorption by the seat, and dissipated through the rear of the vehicle. "It's like a hug," says Adele. Additionally the child's legs are tucked into their car seat, which prevents them from being thrown against the rear of the seat or any other surfaces in the vehicle. "This stops them from crashing into their own body, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents avoid ERF because they fear their child is bored or uncomfortable. It's not the case with my son, Lukas. He prefers sitting rear-facing since the seat reclines, which allows him to read or watch TV while he does so.
However, if you have a child that is hesitant to sit in a rear-facing seat because of leg length or other factors Try to convince them that it's the best way for them to travel. Explain that they are able to stay in their convertible or all-in-one seats as long as they don't exceed the height and weight limits set by the seat manufacturer.
Be sure to lock your child in a rear-facing seat by using the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Avoid letting them wear bulky clothes such as winter coats. These can compress when a collision occurs, which can cause the harness straps to become loose. This puts your child at risk of injury. Make sure to use the Pinch Test when fitting your child's harness.
Convenience
Many parents prefer keeping infant car seats rear-facing for as long as they can because they are less cumbersome and more mobile than convertible car seats. However keeping your child in a rear-facing seat could mean that they need to be moved into a crib or bassinet at time of nap or times of bedtime. This could mean waking the baby who is sleeping which is not the best option. However, the security advantages of rear facing far outweigh any inconvenience.
Preemies and newborn babies are smaller than full-term newborns, so the headrest of their car seats is lower. 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 especially crucial for premature babies who have weaker bones and haven't ossified from pregnancy or birth.
The rear-facing position allows you to see your baby much better than when they are facing forward. This allows you to easily check their behavior and ensure that they are happy and comfortable. The majority of infant car seats come with built-in mirrors that can be adjusted so you can observe your child from any angle.
You can choose convertible car seats or an all-in-one seat to keep your child rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height limit. Some have even higher rear-facing limits than the rear-only seats, meaning they can be used longer.
All-in-one or convertible car seats are renowned for their flexibility. They can be used forward-facing, rear-facing, or as a belt positioning booster. They are also easier to install and remove because they are built with a large base that is located at the rear of your vehicle. They are more expensive than infant car seats that can be used once, but they will last longer and save money over 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 at least 2 years old. older. Many children are outgrowing their rear-facing infant seat before age two However, don't be enticed to change them earlier. It's better to be patient.
Weight Limits
All infant car seats come with weight and height limits that you have to keep in mind. Most have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds, and an upper height limit of about 30 inches or so, depending on the model. If your child is reaching the limits, it's time to move on to the next level of safety: either a convertible car seat that can be switched between rear facing and forward facing, or an all-in one car seat that lets your child ride in a rear-facing position until they reach the maximum height and weight that is recommended by the manufacturer.
In addition to a height and weight limit, there are also other indicators that indicate your child is ready to move on to the next stage of car seats, such as their comfort level while riding rear facing. You can check for these signs by watching your kiddo's behavior and looking at other children of similar age in their carseats. You can also seek help from certified child safety specialists at a car-seat inspection station, which is typically operated by local governments or community groups.
It's ideal to keep your infant facing rear for as long as you can. This is the reason why many parents wait until their children are fully mature before allowing them to turn around. You can ward off this temptation by making sure that your child's car seats is properly installed and don't change them to a front-facing seat before they are ready, even when their weight or height is close to the limits of their current seat.
If you're uncertain whether your child is ready to move on to the next stage of car seat or you're worried you might not be installing their current car seat in a correct manner, reach out to an accredited child safety technician. These experts are available through community groups, local government offices, and child passenger safety programs. You can find one near you by searching online or contacting your local health department or public safety agency. Mobile car seat check events can be held at your home or office to make sure you have the correct equipment and are using it correctly.
Installation
A car seat has to be installed correctly in order to be efficient. The NHTSA states, with regret, that nearly half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to ensure that your infant car seat is properly installed is to read the manual and have it checked by a certified car safety technician.
The first step when installing a rear facing infant car seat is to check the angle. Check that the base of the car seat is in a safe position for the weight of your baby that is visible on the indicator on the back of the car seat base or in the user's manual.
It is also important to ensure that your baby's head is placed at the right angle when in the seat. Babies have big heads and soft necks and the forward-facing position could put pressure on their necks and spine in a crash. If a rear-facing collision occurs the back of the car seat absorbs the majority of the collision force, which protects the baby's delicate neck as well as spinal cord.
Once your child has reached the weight limit or height of the infant car seat, it is time to switch to a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat. They can be used in a rear-facing configuration until the front-facing limit. If you decide to move to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat, make sure that the new model has a greater rearward facing limit. Older models have lower limits.
Parents who frequently transport their children by car will be able to select an infant car seat that is removable and attached to strollers. The only drawback is that it could be a hassle and time-consuming to move the car seat and stroller in and out of your car each time, especially with infants. This could be a good option for a lot of families who are willing to spend the time to get it right each time. Make sure to plan ahead and select the day that you have plenty of time to spare.