Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing Insuring that your child is in a car seat that is rear facing is the safest option. Children should only be moved to a forward-facing car seat once they reach the weight and height limitations of their current seat. Remember that body paragraphs are structured like a hamburger. The introduction and conclusion sentences are the top and bottom buns. The meat of the essay is the supporting body paragraphs. Safety Benefits The use of a car seat for infants rear facing is the safest option for newborns and babies because of the way it cradles and supports their neck and head. "Since their spines haven't been ossified, it's crucial to keep the impact of a crash away from their heads and necks," says Purva Grover, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments. In a frontal collision, the baby's head could hit the seat in front of them, creating whiplash that could be fatal or even fatal. In a rear-facing car seat, the impact is absorbed by the seat and then dissipated through the rear of the vehicle. Adele says, "It feels like a hug." In addition the child's legs are put into their car seat, which prevents them from being thrown against the rear of the seat or other vehicle surfaces. "This prevents them from crashing into their own body, which could cause internal injuries," she explains. Many parents are against ERF because they are afraid that their child will be bored or uncomfortable. My son Lukas has never been uncomfortable or bored. He prefers sitting rear-facing since the seat reclines and allows him to read a book or watch TV while doing so. If you have children who are reluctant to be rear-facing because of their leg length or for other reasons convince them that this is the best option. Explain that they can remain in their convertible or all-in-one car seats provided they don't exceed the height and weight limits that are set by the seat's manufacturer. Also, be sure to buckle your child in the rear-facing car seat securely using the lower anchor system or seat belt. Avoid letting them wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats. They could compress during a crash, causing the straps of the harness to loosen. This puts your child at risk of injury. Always make use of the Pinch Test to ensure a snug fit. Convenience Many parents prefer keeping infant car seats rear-facing for as long as they can, because they are less cumbersome and more mobile than convertible car seats. However, having https://www.pushchairsandprams.uk/categories/baby-car-seats in a rear-facing car seat might mean they have to be put in the bassinet or crib at times of nap or at times of bedtime. This could mean waking the baby who is sleeping, which is never the best option. However, the advantages of rear facing far outweigh any inconvenience. Preemies and newborns are smaller than full-term infants and therefore the headrest of their car seat is lower. This reduces the force of an impact and also ensures that the harness's chest clip is at or below their shoulders, not at their necks. This is particularly important for premature babies who have weaker bones, and haven't ossified from pregnancy or birth. The position that faces the rear allows you to see your baby better than a forward-facing position. This allows you to monitor their behavior, and ensure they are happy and comfortable. The majority of infant car seats come with built-in mirrors that can be adjusted so you can see your child at any angle. When your child is no longer in their infant car seat, or is at the weight or height limit set by the manufacturer of their seat you can move to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they are at least two years old. Some even have higher rear-facing limits than rear-only seats, meaning they can be used for longer. Convertible car seats or all-in-one seats are known as multi-functional. They can be used rear-facing or forward facing, as well as a belt-positioning booster. They usually also have a larger base in the back of your vehicle, making them easier to set up and remove. They are more expensive than the infant car seats that can be used once, but they will last longer and will save you money over time. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children remain rear-facing until they reach maximum weight and height limits set by the manufacturer of their car seat or are at least 2 years old. It is normal for children to outgrow their rear facing infant car seat before they reach the age of two. However, it's best to hold off until they reach the age of two. Weight Limits All baby car seats have weight and height limits that you have to be aware of. The majority have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds and a height limit of 30 inches or so, depending on the model. If your child is reaching these limits, it's the time to move to the next stage of safety. You can choose a convertible car seat that allows you to change between rear facing and forward 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 that is 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 a car seat, including their level of comfort when riding rear facing. You can check for these indicators by observing your child's behavior, and then looking at other children of similar age in their car seats. You can also seek help from certified child passenger safety technicians at a car seat inspection station that are usually run by local government agencies or community groups. Keep your infant rear-facing for as long as you can is the best option for them, and it's easy to understand why a lot of parents are hesitant to turn their children back until they're completely grown. But you can ward off this temptation by ensuring your child's car seat is correctly installed and you do not rush to change to a forward-facing seat too soon, even if they're close to the weight or height limits of the car seat they're currently in. If you're uncertain whether your child is ready for the next stage of car seat or you're concerned that you may not have installed the car seat correctly, reach out to an accredited child safety technician. These experts are available through community groups, local government offices and child passenger safety programs. You can search online for one near you or contact your local public health or safety department. Mobile car seat check events can be held at your office or home to ensure you have the right equipment and are using it correctly. Installation A car seat must be installed correctly in order to be efficient. Unfortunately, the NHTSA estimates that more than half of car seats are installed incorrectly (and this includes rear-facing). The best way to be sure that your child's car seats are properly installed is to read through the instructions, and after that, have them assessed by a certified vehicle safety technician. The first step to install a rear-facing infant car seat is to check the angle. You can verify the angle of the base on the side or in the manual to make sure it is safe for your child's weight. It is also important to ensure that the baby's head is correctly positioned in the seat. The forward-facing position could create pressure on the neck and spine of babies due to their hefty heads and soft necks. In a rear-facing crash the back of the car seat absorbs the majority of the crash force, which shields the baby's delicate neck and spinal cord. When your child has reached the weight or height limit of the infant car seat it's time to change over to a convertible car seat or all-in one car seat. These can be used in a rear-facing position up until the front-facing limit. If you decide to switch to a convertible or all-in-one car seat, make sure 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 removed from the car, and then re-attached to strollers, this is a great choice for parents who want to transport their infants in and out of the car often. The only drawback is that it could be time-consuming and difficult to maneuver the stroller and car seat in and out of your car every time, especially for a newborn. This is a great option for a lot of families, if they are willing to invest the time to do it right every time. Be sure to plan ahead, and choose a date when you have plenty of time spare.