Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
The most secure method to ensure your child is in an infant car seat that faces rearwards is to keep them there. Children should only be switched to an forward-facing car seat when they reach the height and weight limits of their current car seat.
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Safety Benefits
The use of a car seat for infants rear facing is the safest option for infants and newborns due to the way it supports and cradles their head and neck. "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 collision, the baby's head will hit the seat in front of them. This can result in a whiplash that is extremely painful or even fatal. However, in a rear-facing car seat the impact is taken up by the seat, and dissipated by the back of the vehicle. "It's like hugging," says Adele. Additionally, the child's legs are secured into their car seat, which prevents them from being thrown forward against the rear of the seat or any other surfaces in the vehicle. "This helps to prevent collisions with their own bodies, causing internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents are against ERF because they fear that their child will become bored or uncomfortable. Neither has been true for my son, Lukas. In fact Lukas prefers to ride rear-facing because the seat's recline feature lets him stretch his legs while reading a book or watch TV.
However, if you have a child that isn't keen on being in a rear-facing seat due to of leg length or other reasons, try to convince them that it's the best method of travel for them. Explain that they can remain in their convertible or all-in-one car seats as long as they don't exceed the height or weight limits that are set by the seat's manufacturer.
Be sure to lock your child in a rear-facing seat with the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Don't allow them to wear bulky clothing like winter coats as they could be swollen in the event of a crash and cause the straps of the harness to become loose, putting 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 seat may mean they have to be moved into the bassinet or crib at time of nap or times of bedtime. This may require waking up the sleeping baby which isn't optimal. The safety advantages of rear-facing far outweigh the inconvenience, however.
The headrest is lower for preemies and newborns than for full-term babies. This helps to reduce the impact of an accident. best car seats infant ensures that the chest clip on the harness is below or at the shoulders, not at the neck. This is essential for premature infants, whose bones are still weak and have not been ossified since birth or pregnancy.
The rear-facing position also lets you see your baby much better than a forward-facing position. This lets you monitor their behavior, and ensure they are happy and comfortable. Many infant car seats have a built-in mirror that can be adjusted so you can observe your child from any angle.
You can use convertible car seats or an all-in-one seat to keep your child rear-facing until they reach the recommended weight or height limit. Some even have higher rear-facing limits than the rear-only seats, meaning they are able to be used for longer.
All-in-one or convertible car seats are known for their versatility. They can be used rear facing, forward facing, and as a belt-positioning booster. They also usually have a larger base in the back of your vehicle making them easier to remove and install. They're more expensive than single-use infant car seats, however, they last longer than a standard infant 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 that are set by their car seat manufacturer or until they reach at least two years old. Many children grow out of their rear-facing infant car seat before age two, but don't be tempted to change them earlier. It's better to keep it in the rear for a while.
Weight Limits
All baby car seats have weight and height limits you need to keep in mind. The majority have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds and an upper height limit of about 30 inches or so, depending on the model. When your child is at the limit, you can move to the next level of security. You can choose a convertible seat that permits your child to be rear-facing or forward-facing or an all-in-one car seat.
There are other aspects, besides the weight and height limit, that can tell you if your child is ready to make the next step in the car seat. One of them is their comfort level when riding backwards. You can check for these signs by watching your child's behavior and comparing them to other children in their car seats. You can also seek help from certified child passenger safety specialists at a car-seat inspection station, which is often operated by local governments or community groups.
Keeping your infant rear facing as long as possible is the most secure option for them and it's easy to see why a lot of parents are hesitant to move their kids around until they're mature. However, you can avoid this temptation by making sure your child's car seat is correctly installed and do not rush to change them to a forward-facing seat too soon even if they're not close to the limit of weight or height of the car seat they're currently in.
If you're unsure whether your child is ready for the next car seat stage or you're concerned that you may not be installing the car seat correctly contact an accredited child safety technician. These specialists are available through community organizations such as hospitals, local government offices, and child safety programs. You can search for one near you, or contact your local public safety agency or health department. There are also car seat check events that are mobile which can come to your workplace or home to ensure that you have the correct equipment and are making use of it properly.
Installation
A car seat has to be properly installed to be effective. The NHTSA has found that nearly half of car seats are installed incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to make sure that your child's car seats are installed correctly is to go through the manual, then have them professionally examined by a certified car safety technician.
The first step to install an infant rear facing car seat is to test the angle. Make sure the base of the car seat is in a safe position to support the weight of your child, which you can find on the the side of the base or in the user's manual.
Also, make sure that your baby's head is at the correct angle in the seat. Babies have large heads and soft necks, and a forward-facing posture could cause pressure on their neck and spine in a crash. In a rear-facing collision the back of a car seat absorbs the majority of the crash force. This protects the baby’s 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. They can be used in a rear-facing position up until the front-facing limit. If you decide to change to a convertible or all-in-one car seat, be sure that the new model has a greater rearward-facing limit. Older models have lower limits.
Parents who often transport their infants by car will find it convenient to choose an infant car-seat that is removable and connected to a stroller. It can be difficult and time-consuming to move your stroller and car seat into and out of the vehicle every time, especially in the case of a newborn. This could be a good option for a lot of families when they are willing to take the time to do it right every time. Make a plan and pick a day that you have plenty of spare time.