Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing The safest way to ensure your child remains in a rear-facing infant car seat is to keep them there. Children should only be moved to a forward-facing car seat once they outgrow the weight and height limitations of their current seat. Remember that the body paragraph is organized like a hamburger. The introduction and concluding sentences are like the top and bottom buns. The bulk of the essay is the body paragraphs that support it. Safety Benefits Using an infant car seat rear facing is safest for newborns and babies because of the way it holds and supports their head and neck. Purva Grover MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments, says that because their spines are not yet formed, it is vital to keep the force of a crash away from their necks and head. In a frontal crash a baby's head would hit the seat in front of them, causing a whiplash effect that can be fatal or severe. However, with the 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 put into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown forward against the back of the front seat or any other surfaces in the vehicle. "This keeps them from crashing into their own body, which can cause internal injuries," she explains. Many parents are against ERF because they fear their child will be bored or uncomfortable. My son Lukas has never been uncomfortable or bored. In fact, he prefers to ride rear-facing since the recline feature allows him to sit on his legs and read a book or watch tv. However, if you have an older child who is hesitant to sit in a rear-facing seat because of leg length or any other reason try convincing them that it's the most secure option for them to travel. Explain that they can remain in their convertible or all-in one car seats in the event that they do not exceed the height or weight limits set by the seat manufacturer. Make sure you secure your child in a rear-facing seat by using the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Do not let them wear bulky clothes such as winter coats. They could compress in the event of a crash, making the harness straps loosen. 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 to keep their infant car seats facing rear for as long as they can because they are easy to use and more mobile than convertible car seats. However placing your child in a rear-facing seat could mean that they need to be moved into the bassinet or crib at times of nap or at bedtimes. This could mean waking the sleeping baby which isn't ideal. However, the safety advantages of rear facing are greater than any inconvenience. The headrest is lower for newborns and preemies than for full-term babies. This helps reduce the force of an accident and ensures that the chest clip on the harness is at the shoulders, 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 rear-facing position also lets you see your baby much better than a forward-facing position. This allows you to easily check their behavior and ensure that they are comfortable and happy. The majority of infant car seats come with a built-in mirror that can be adjusted so that you can view your child from any angle. You can utilize a convertible car seat or an all-in one seat to keep your child rear-facing until they reach the recommended weight or height limit. Some have even higher rear-facing limits than the rear-only seats, meaning they can be used longer. Convertible car seats or all-in one seats are known for being multi-functional. They can be used rear-facing or forward facing and as a belt-positioning booster. They also usually come with a large base at the back of your vehicle which makes them easy to install and remove. They're more expensive than single-use infant car seats, however, they last longer than an infant seat and will save you money in the long run. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing up to the maximum height and weight limits that are set by their car seat manufacturer and up to at least two years old. It's common for children to outgrow their rear-facing infant car seat when they reach the age of two. But, it's always better to hold off until they reach the age of two. Weight Limits You must be aware that all car seats for infants come with height and weight restrictions. Most have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds, and a height limit of 30 inches or so, based on the model. When your child is at the limit, you are able to move to the next level of security. You can opt for a convertible seat that allows your child to ride forward or rear-facing, or an all-in-one car seat. In addition to a height and weight limit, there are also other indicators that show your child is ready for the next phase of a car seat, such as their level of comfort when sitting rear facing. You can look for these signs by observing your child's behavior and comparing them to other children of similar age in their car seats. https://www.pushchairsandprams.uk/categories/baby-car-seats can also ask for assistance from a certified child passenger safety specialists at a car seat inspection station, which are often run by local government agencies or community 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 hesitant to turn their kids around until they're fully grown. You can avoid this temptation by making sure that your child's car seats is installed correctly and don't change to a front-facing seat before they're ready even the weight or height is close to the limits of their current seat. If you have questions about whether your child is ready for the next stage of car seat or you're concerned that you may not be installing the car seat correctly Contact a certified child safety technician. These specialists are available through community groups, hospitals local government offices, and child 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. Mobile car seat check events can be held at your workplace or at home to ensure you have the right equipment and that you are using them correctly. Installation A car seat has to be properly installed to be effective. The NHTSA has found that more than half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to make sure that your infant car seat is correctly installed is to study the manual and have it checked by a certified car safety technician. Checking the angle is the first step to installing an infant car seat that faces rearwards. Make sure the base of the car seat is in a safe position to support the weight of your child that is visible on the indicator on the side of the car seat base or in the user's manual. It is also important to ensure that the baby's head is correctly positioned in the seat. Babies have large heads and soft necks, and the forward-facing position could cause pressure on their necks and spine in a crash. In a rear-facing collision, a car seat's back absorbs the majority of the collision force. This helps protect the baby's neck and spinal cord. Once your baby has reached the weight or height limit of the car seat they were in as infants and is now weighing more than a pound, it's time to transition to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that can be used in the rear-facing position until your child has reached their front-facing limit. Be sure to get a new infant car seat that has an increased rear-facing limit when you choose to change to this type of seat since older models have lower limits. Parents who frequently transport their children in cars will appreciate the ability to pick an infant car seat that can be detached and attached to strollers. The only downside to this is that it can be a hassle and time-consuming to move the stroller and car seat in and out of your car every time, especially for infants. This is a great choice for many families who are willing to take the time to get it right every time. Plan ahead and pick the day when you have plenty of time.