Keep Your Child in an
Infant Car Seat Rear FacingKeeping your child in a car seat for infants rear-facing is the best option. Children should only be transferred to an infant car seat that faces forward once they have reached the weight and height limits of the seat they are currently in.
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Safety Benefits
Using an
infant car seat rear facing is safest for babies and infants because it cradles 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 heads and necks," says Purva Grover, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments. In a frontal crash, the baby's head will strike the seat in front of them. This can result in a whiplash that is extremely painful or even fatal. However, with 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. In addition, the child's legs are put into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown forward against the rear of the seat or any other surfaces in the vehicle. "This keeps them from colliding with their bodies, causing internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents are opposed to ERF because they fear that their child will become bored or uncomfortable. It's not the case with my son, Lukas. He prefers to sit rear-facing since the seat reclines and allows him to read a book, or watch TV while doing it.
If you have a child who is reluctant to be rear-facing because of their leg length or for other reasons convince them that this is the most secure option. Explain that they are able to 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 seat manufacturer.
Also, be certain to strap your child into a rear-facing
car seats by age seat tightly using the lower anchor system or seat belt. Don't allow them to wear bulky clothing like winter coats, since they can compress in a crash and cause the straps of the harness to become loose and place your child at risk of injuries. Always perform the Pinch Test to ensure a tight fit.
Convenience
Many parents prefer keeping infant car seats rear-facing for as long as they can, because they are easier to use and more mobile than convertible seats. However placing your child in a rear-facing seat may mean they have to be moved into a crib or bassinet at nap times or time of bed. This could mean waking the sleeping child and this isn't a
good infant car seats 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 of an accident. It also ensures that the chest clip of the harness is at the shoulders, and not at the neck. This is especially important for premature babies, who have weaker bones and still aren't ossified due to pregnancy or birth.
Additionally the rear-facing position gives the best view of your baby than forward-facing. This allows you to observe their behavior and make sure they are content and happy. Many infant car seats have a built-in mirror that can be adjusted to ensure that you can view your child from any angle.
When your child is no longer in their car seat for infants or reaches the height or weight limit set by their seat manufacturer, you can switch to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that allows them to remain rear facing until they are at least two years old. Some models even have higher rear-facing limits than rear-only cars, meaning they are able to be used for longer.
Convertible or all-in-one car seats are renowned for their versatility. They can be used forward-facing, rear-facing, or as a belt positioning booster. They usually also have a larger base in the back of your vehicle, making them easier to remove and install. These seats are more expensive than car seats for infants that can be used once, but they'll last longer and save you money over the course of time.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing until the maximum height and weight limit allowed by the manufacturer of their car seat and up to at least two years old. It is normal for children to outgrow their rear facing infant car seat before they reach age two. However, it's
best car seat newborn uk to wait.
Weight Limits
All infant car seats have weight and height limits that you need to be aware of. The majority of them have a weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds and an upper height limit of around 30 inches or so, based on the model. Once your child reaches the limit, you are able to move up to the next level of security. You can choose a convertible seat that allows your child to be forward or rear-facing, or an all-in one car seat.
Apart from a height and weight limit, there are also other indicators that indicate your child is ready for the next stage of a car seat, such as their comfort level while riding rear facing. You can look for these signs in your child's behaviour and compare it with other children of the same age in their car seats. You can also seek help from certified child passenger safety specialists at a car-seat inspection station, which is typically operated by local government or community organizations.
It's recommended to keep your child rear-facing for as long as you can. This is why many parents wait until their children are mature before they switch them over. You can ward off this temptation by making sure your child's car seat is installed correctly and don't switch to a front-facing seat before they're ready, even if their weight or height is close to the limits of their existing seat.
Contact a certified child passenger technician if you have concerns regarding your child's ability to be ready to move on to the next level of car seats or if you're worried that you might not install the car seat correctly. They are available through community groups such as hospitals local government offices, and child passenger safety programs. You can search online for a specialist near you, or contact your local public health or safety department. There are also mobile car seat check events which can come to your workplace or home to help ensure you have the right equipment and are using it correctly.
Installation
A car seat needs to be installed correctly to be effective. The NHTSA states, with regret, that almost half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to make sure that your infant car seats are properly installed is to read through the manual, and after that, have them checked by an accredited car safety technician.
The first step when installing a rear facing infant car seat is to check the angle. Make sure that the base of the car seat is in a safe position to support the weight of your child and height. You can check this on the the back of the base or in its user manual.
It is also important to ensure that your baby's head is at the correct angle in the seat. Babies have heavy heads and soft necks, and a forward-facing position can put pressure on their necks and spine in a crash. In a rear-facing collision, the car seat's back absorbs the majority of the crash force, which protects the baby's delicate neck as well as spinal cord.
Once your child has reached the weight or height limit of the infant car seat, it's time to move to a convertible seat or all-in one car seat. They can be used in a rear-facing configuration up to the front-facing limit. Be sure to get a new infant car seat that has an increased rear-facing limit when you decide to switch to this type of seat, as older models have lower limits.
Parents who frequently transport their infants by car will be able to pick an infant car seat that is able to be removed and connected to strollers. It can be difficult and time-consuming to get your stroller and car seat into and out of your vehicle on a regular basis, especially if you have a newborn. However, if you are willing to take the extra time each time to do it right, this could be a viable alternative for many families. Make sure you plan ahead, and choose a day when you will have plenty of time to spare.