Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing

The safest way to keep your child in an infant car seat that faces rearwards is to keep them there. Children should only be transferred to an infant newborn car seat 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 best choice for newborns and small babies. This is because they support and cradle their neck and head. "Since their spines aren't fully 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, a baby's head would strike the seat in front of them, creating a whiplash effect that can be severe or fatal. In a rear-facing seat, the impact is absorbed and dissipated in the back of the vehicle. Adele says, "It feels like a hug." In addition, the child's legs are tucked into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown against the rear of the seat or other vehicle surfaces. "This helps to prevent collisions with their own bodies, which can cause internal injuries," she explains.

Many parents are against ERF because they fear that their child will be bored or uncomfortable. This is not the case for my son, Lukas. In fact Lukas prefers riding backwards because the recline feature lets him sit on his legs and read a book or watch tv.

If you have children who are hesitant to face the rear due to their leg length or for other reasons convince them that this is the best option. Explain that they are able to stay in their convertible or all-in-one car seats provided they do not exceed the height or weight limits set by the manufacturer of the seat.

Be sure to buckle your child in the rear-facing car seat securely using the lower anchor system or seat belt. Don't let them wear bulky clothing like winter coats, as these could be swollen in the event of a crash and cause the harness straps to loosen, putting your child at risk of injury. Use the Pinch Test when fitting your child's harness.

Convenience

Many parents prefer keeping infant car seat rear facing car seats rear-facing as long as they can, because they are less cumbersome and more mobile than convertible seats. However having your child in a rear-facing vehicle could mean that they need to be moved into an infant crib or bassinet during time of nap or time of bed. This may require waking up the baby who was sleeping which isn't optimal. However, the safety benefits of rear facing outweigh any discomfort.

The headrest is lower for preemies and newborns than for full-term infants. This reduces the impact force and also ensures that the harness' chest clip is at or below their shoulders, not 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 lets you observe your baby more clearly than when they are facing forward. This allows you to observe their behavior, and ensure they are content and happy. Many baby car seats have a built-in baby mirror that can be adjusted to view your child from almost every angle.

You can utilize convertible car seats or an all-in one seat to keep your child rear-facing until they reach their recommended weight or height limit. Some have even higher rear-facing limits than rear-only seats, meaning they can be used longer.

Convertible or all-in-one car seats are known for their flexibility. They can be used rear facing, forward facing, and as a belt-positioning booster. They typically also have a large base in the back of your car, making them easier to set up and remove. They are more expensive than single-use infant car seats however, they last longer than an infant car 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 limits allowed by their car seat manufacturer and up to at least two years old. Many children are outgrowing their rear-facing infant seat before age two, but don't be tempted to switch them around earlier. It's safer to wait.

Weight Limits

You should be aware that all car seats for infants come with weight and height restrictions. The majority have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds and a height limit of around 30 inches or so, based on the model. When your child has reached the limits, it's time to move to the next level of safety: either a convertible car seats newborn seat that allows you to be switched between forward facing infant car seat and rear facing or an all-in-one car seat that allows your child to ride in a rear-facing position until they reach the maximum height and weight suggested by the manufacturer.

There are other factors aside from the weight and height limit, which can help you determine whether your child is able to move up a stage in the car seat. One of these is their level of comfort when riding rear-facing. You can identify these indicators by observing your kiddo's behavior and comparing them to other children in their car seats. You can also ask for help from certified child passenger safety technicians at a car seat inspection station which are often operated by local government agencies or community-based organizations.

Keeping your infant rear facing infant car seat facing for as long as is possible is the best option for them, and it's easy to understand why so many parents are hesitant to move their children back until they're completely grown. But you can still avoid this temptation by making sure your child's car seat is correctly installed and don't rush to switch to a forward-facing seat too soon, even if they're close to the limits on weight or height of the car seat they're currently in.

You can reach 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. These experts can be found through community groups, local government offices, and child safety programs. You are able to locate one near you by searching online or contacting your local health department or public safety agency. Mobile car seat check-in events can be held at your workplace or at home to ensure that you have the right equipment and that you are using them correctly.

Installation

A car seat needs to be installed correctly to be efficient. Unfortunately it is the case that the NHTSA reports that almost 50% of car seats are installed incorrectly (and this includes rear facing). The best method to make sure that your child's car seats are installed correctly is to go through the instructions, and then have them professionally assessed by a certified vehicle safety technician.

Verifying the angle is the first step towards installing a rear-facing infant car seat. You can verify the angle of the base on the side or in the user manual to make sure it is safe for your child's weight.

Also, ensure that the baby's head is properly positioned in the seat. Babies have heavy heads and soft necks, and the forward-facing position could put pressure on their neck and spine during a crash. If a rear-facing collision occurs, the car seat's back absorbs the majority of the collision force, which protects the baby's delicate neck and spinal cord.

When your baby is at the weight limit or height of their car seat for infants and is now weighing more than a pound, it's time to transition to a convertible or all-in-one car seat, which can be used in a rear-facing position until your child reaches their front-facing limit. If you decide to move to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat, ensure that the new model has a higher rearward facing limit. Older models have lower limits.

If you select an infant car seat that is able to be detached from the car, and then re-attached to the stroller, it is a great option for parents who want to transport their infants in and out of the car regularly. It can be a challenge and time-consuming to move your stroller and car seat into and out of your vehicle each time, particularly when you have a baby. This could be a good option for a lot of families who are willing to invest the time to get it right each time. Plan ahead and choose a day that you have plenty of spare time.