7 Things You've Always Don't Know About Infant Car Seat Rear Facing

Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing The most secure method to ensure your child is in a rear-facing infant car seat is to keep them there. Children should only be switched to a forward-facing car seat once they reach the weight and height limits of their current car seat. Remember that a body paragraph is structured like a hamburger. car seat newborn insert and concluding sentences are similar to 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 most secure option for infants and young babies. This is because they provide support and support to their head and neck. “Since their spines aren't fully ossified yet, it's important to keep the force of a crash off their necks and heads” explains Purva Grover, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments. In a frontal collision the baby's head will hit the seat infront of them. This can result in a whiplash that can be severe or even fatal. However, with the rear-facing car seat the impact is absorption by the seat, and dissipated by the back of the vehicle. “It's like hugging,” says Adele. Additionally the child's legs are put into their car seat, preventing them from being thrown forward against the rear of the seat or any other surfaces in the vehicle. “This keeps them from colliding with the inside of their own bodies, causing internal injuries,” she explains. Many parents resist ERF because they believe their child is bored or uncomfortable. Neither has been true for my son, Lukas. In fact Lukas prefers riding backwards because the recline feature allows him to cross his legs and read an article or watch TV. If you have children who are reluctant to be rear-facing because of their length of legs or other reasons, convince them that this is the most secure option. Explain that the child can remain in the convertible or all-in one car seat as long as the weight or height limits are not exceeded. Make sure you secure your child in a rear-facing seat using the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Don't allow them to wear bulky clothes, such as winter coats, since they can compress during a crash, causing the straps of the harness to become loose and place your child at risk for injury. Always use the Pinch Test to ensure a tight fit. Convenience Many parents prefer to keep 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 may mean they have to be taken out of a crib or bassinet at times of nap or at bedtimes. This could wake the child who is sleeping which isn't ideal. However, the benefits of rear facing outweigh any inconvenience. Preemies and newborns are smaller than full-term newborns, so the headrest of their car seat is lower. This reduces the impact force and also ensures that the harness's chest clip is at or below their shoulders rather than at their necks. This is especially important for premature babies who have weaker bones, and aren't fully ossedified from pregnancy or birth. In addition the rear-facing position offers an excellent view of your baby than the forward-facing position. This lets you easily check their behavior and ensure that they are content and happy. The majority of infant car seats have a built-in baby mirror that can be adjusted to see your child from almost any angle. You can utilize a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat to keep your child rear-facing until they reach their recommended weight or height limit. Some rear-facing car seats have limits that are higher than rear-only seats, allowing them to be used for a longer period of time. All-in-one or convertible car seats are renowned for their versatility. 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 making them easier to remove and install. They are more expensive than car seats for infants that can be used once, but they will last longer and save you money over time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing up to the maximum height and weight limit allowed by their car seat manufacturer, or until they are at minimum 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 wait. Weight Limits All infant car seats come with weight and height limits you need to be aware of. The majority have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds, and an upper height limit of around 30 inches or so, depending on the model. When your child reaches the limits, it's time to move to the next stage of safety. You can choose a convertible car seat that allows you to be switched between rear facing and forward facing or an all-in-one car seat that lets your child ride backwards until they reach the maximum height and weight suggested by the manufacturer. There are other factors, besides the weight and height limit that can indicate if your child is ready to move up a stage in the car seat. One of these is their level of comfort when riding backwards. You can check for these signs by watching your child's behavior, and then looking at other children in their carseats. You can also ask for assistance from certified child passenger safety experts at a car seat inspection station that are usually run by local government agencies or community groups. It is best to keep your infant rear-facing for as long as you can. This is why a lot of parents wait until their children are completely grown before turning them around. However, you can avoid this temptation by making sure your child's seat is properly installed and do not rush to change to a forward-facing seat too quickly even if they're not close to the weight or height limits of their current car seat. You can reach a certified child passenger technician if there are any questions about your child's readiness for the next phase of car seats or if you're worried that you might not be installing the car seat correctly. They are available through community organizations, hospitals local government offices, and child safety programs. You can locate one near you by searching online or calling your local health department or public safety agency. There are also mobile car seat check-in events that can visit your home or workplace to make sure you have the proper equipment and are using it correctly. Installation The correct installation of a car seat is crucial to its effectiveness. Sadly, the NHTSA estimates that more than 50% of car seats are installed incorrectly (and this includes rear facing). The best way to make sure that your infant car seat is installed correctly is to read the instruction manual and have it examined by a certified car safety technician. The first step to install a rear facing infant car seat is to test the angle. You can verify the angle of the base on the side or in the user manual to ensure it is safe for your child's weight. It is also important to ensure that your baby's head is correctly positioned in the seat. The forward-facing position can create pressure on the spine and neck of infants with their large heads and soft necks. If a rear-facing collision occurs, the car seat's back absorbs the majority of the collision force, which shields the baby's delicate neck and spinal cord. Once your child has reached 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-1 car seat that can be used in a rear-facing position until your child has reached their front-facing limit. If you decide to switch to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat, be 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 detached from the car and then reattached to a stroller, this is an ideal option for parents who wish to get their infants in and out of the car frequently. The only drawback is that it can be time-consuming and difficult to maneuver the car seat and stroller in and out of your vehicle every time, especially for infants. This is a great choice for many families who are willing to take the time to do it right every time. Make a plan and pick the day you will have plenty of spare time.