Learn About Infant Car Seat Rear Facing While You Work From At Home

Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing Keeping your child in an infant car seat facing rearwards is the most secure option. Children should only be transferred to a car seat that faces forward once they have reached the limit of their weight and height in their existing seat. Remember that a body paragraph is structured like a hamburger. forward facing infant car seat and concluding sentences resemble the top and bottom buns. The body paragraphs supporting it are the meat of your essay. Safety Benefits Rear-facing infant car seats are the best option for infants and young babies. This is because they are able to support and cradle their neck and head. Purva Grover MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments, explains that as their spines aren't yet fully ossed, it is crucial to keep the force of a crash away from their heads and necks. In a frontal collision, the baby's head can hit the seat in front of them. This can result in a whiplash that is severe or even fatal. However, with a rear-facing car seat the impact is taken up 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 secured into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown against the rear of the seat or any other surfaces in the vehicle. “This prevents them from crashing into their own body, which can cause internal injuries,” she explains. Many parents resist ERF because they think their child will be bored or uncomfortable. My son Lukas has never been bored or uncomfortable. He prefers to sit rear-facing as the seat reclines and allows him to read a book, or watch TV while doing so. If you have children who are hesitant to be rear-facing due to their leg length or other reasons, convince them that this is the most secure option. Explain that your child can remain in the convertible or all-in one car seat so long as the height or weight limits are not exceeded. Be certain to strap your child into the rear-facing car seat securely using the lower anchor system or seat belt. Avoid letting them wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats. These can compress during a crash, causing the straps of the harness to loosen. This 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 rear-facing as long as they can because they are less cumbersome and more mobile than convertible car seats. However having your child in a rear-facing vehicle might mean they have to be taken out of a crib or bassinet at time of nap or bedtimes. This may require waking up the baby who was sleeping which isn't ideal. However, the advantages of rear facing are greater than any discomfort. The headrest is lower for newborns and preemies than for full-term babies. This reduces the impact of an accident and ensures that the chest clip on the harness is below or at the shoulders, and not at the neck. This is particularly important for premature babies who have weaker bones, and aren't fully ossedified from pregnancy or birth. The position that faces the rear lets you see your baby better than the forward-facing position. This allows you to monitor their behavior, and ensure they are content and happy. Most baby car seats have a built-in baby mirror that can be adjusted to allow you to view your child from nearly every angle. Once your baby outgrows their car seat for infants or is at the weight or height limit recommended by their seat manufacturer You can then switch to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that will allow them to remain rear facing until they reach two years old. Some rear-facing car seats have limits that are higher than rear-only car seats that allow them to be used for longer. Convertible car seats or all-in-one seats are renowned for being versatile. They can be used rear-facing or forward facing and as a belt-positioning booster. They typically also come with a large base at the back of your vehicle which makes them easy to install 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 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 older. Many children grow out of their rear-facing infant car seat before age two However, don't be enticed to switch them around 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 infant car seats have a maximum weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds and a height limit of about 30 inches, depending on the model. When your child has reached these limits, it's time to move on to the next stage of safety. This could be a convertible car seat that allows you to switch between forward and rear facing, or an all-in-one seat that lets your child ride rear facing until they reach the maximum height and weight recommended by the manufacturer. In addition to the weight and height limit, there are also other indicators that indicate your child is ready for the next phase of car seats, such as their comfort level while sitting rear facing. You can identify these signs by observing your child's behavior and looking at other children in their carseats. You can also ask for help from certified child passenger safety specialists at a car seat inspection station, which are often run by local government agencies or community-based organizations. Remaining rear-facing for your infant for as long as is possible is safest for them, and it's easy to understand why so many parents are reluctant to turn 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 that you do not rush to change to a forward-facing seat too quickly even if they're close to the limits on weight or height of their current car seat. If you're unsure whether your child is ready to move on to the next stage in their car seat or you're worried that you may not have installed their current car seat correctly, reach out to an accredited child safety technician. These specialists are available through community organizations such as hospitals, local government offices, and child passenger safety programs. You are able to locate one close to you by looking online or by contacting your local health department or public safety agency. There are also mobile car seat check-in events which can come to your home or workplace to ensure that you have the correct equipment and are making use of it properly. Installation The correct installation of a car seat is vital to ensure its safety. The NHTSA reports, sadly, that more than half of car seats are installed incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to ensure that your infant car seat is installed correctly is to read the manual and have it professionally checked by a certified car safety technician. The angle check is the first step towards installing a rear-facing infant car seat. You can examine 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 your baby's head is positioned correctly in the seat. Babies have large heads and soft necks and a forward-facing posture could put pressure on their necks and spine in the event of a collision. In a rear-facing collision, a car seat's back absorbs the majority of the collision force. This protects the baby's neck and the spinal cord. When your baby is at the weight or height limit of the car seat they were in as infants, it is time to switch to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that can be used in a rear-facing position until your child reaches their front-facing limit. Make sure to purchase an 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 children by car will appreciate the ability to select an infant car seat that is removable and attached to the stroller. It can be challenging and time-consuming to maneuver your car seat and stroller in and out of the vehicle each time, particularly in the case of a newborn. This is a great option for a lot of families who are willing to take the time to do it right every time. Make sure to plan ahead, and choose a day when you will have plenty of time spare.