Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
The safest way to keep your child in an infant car seat that faces rearwards is to keep them there. Children should only be moved to an infant car seat that faces forward when they reach the maximum weight and height of the seat they are currently in.
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Safety Benefits
Rear-facing infant car seats are the safest option for newborns 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 since their spines aren't yet fully ossed, it is crucial to keep the force from a crash away from their necks and head. In a frontal crash the baby's head could strike the seat in front of them, causing a whiplash effect that can be severe or fatal. In a rear-facing seat however, the impact is absorbed and dissipated to the rear of the car. 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 back of the front seat or any other surfaces in the vehicle. "This keeps them from crashing into their own body, which could cause internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents resist ERF because they fear their child is bored or uncomfortable. Neither has been true for my son, Lukas. In fact Lukas prefers riding backwards because the recline feature lets him sit on his legs and read an article or watch TV.
If you have children who are hesitant to face the rear due to their length of legs or other reasons, convince them that this is the safest option. Explain that they are able to stay in their convertible or all-in-one seats provided they don't exceed the height or weight limits set by the manufacturer of the seat.
Be sure to secure your child in a rear-facing car seat by using the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Don't let them wear bulky clothing like winter coats as they can be compressed in the event of a crash and cause the straps of the harness to become loose and put your child at risk for injuries. Use the Pinch Test when fitting your child's harness.
Convenience
Many parents prefer to keep infant car seats rear-facing for as long as they can, because they are less cumbersome and more mobile than convertible car seats. However, placing your child in a rear-facing vehicle may mean they have to be moved into an infant crib or bassinet during nap times or time of bed. This may require waking up the baby who is sleeping, which is never optimal. The safety advantages of rear-facing far outweigh this inconvenience, however.
Preemies and newborns are smaller than full-term infants which means that the headrest of their car seats is lower. This helps reduce the force of an accident and ensures that the chest clip of the harness is below or at the shoulders, not at the neck. This is essential for premature infants, with bones that aren't strong enough and are not fully ossedified following birth or pregnancy.
In addition the rear-facing position offers a much better view of your child than facing forward. This allows you to monitor their behavior and make sure they are content and happy. The majority of infant car seats come with a built-in mirror that can be adjusted so that you can see your child at any angle.
You can utilize convertible car seats or an all-in one seat to keep your child rear-facing until they reach their recommended weight or height limit. Some have even higher rear-facing limits than the rear-only seats which means they are able to be used for longer.
Convertible or all-in-one car seats are known for their versatility. They can be used in forward-facing or rear-facing positions or as a belt-positioning booster. They also usually come with a large base at the back of your vehicle which makes them easy to set up and remove. These seats are more expensive than car seats for infants that can be used only once, but they will last longer and save you money over time.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing to the maximum height and weight limit that are set by their car seat manufacturer and up to at minimum two years old. Many children are outgrowing their rear-facing infant seat before the age of two However, don't be enticed to switch them around earlier. It's better to wait.
Weight Limits
It is important to know that all infant car seats have weight and height limits. Most infant car seats have a maximum weight limit of 30 to 35 pounds and the height limit is around 30 inches, depending on the model. Once your child reaches the limits, you can move to the next level of safety. You can choose an adjustable seat that allows your child to sit forward or rear-facing, or an all-in-one car seat.
Apart from the weight and height limit, there are other indicators that indicate your child is ready to move on to the next step in car seats, such as their level of comfort when riding rear-facing. You can look for these indicators in your child's behavior and compare it to other children similar to yours in their car seats. You can also seek help from certified child safety technicians at an inspection station for car seats which are often operated by local government agencies or community-based organizations.
Remaining rear-facing for your infant for as long as you can is the most secure option for them and it's easy to see why parents are hesitant to move their children back until they're mature. You can avoid this temptation by making sure your child's car seat 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 existing seat.
Contact a certified child passenger technician if there are any concerns about your child's readiness for the next phase of car seats or if you are worried that you might not be installing the car seat correctly. These experts are available through community groups, hospitals and local government offices and child safety programs. You can search online for a specialist near you or contact your local public safety agency or health department. Mobile car seat check events can be held at your workplace or at home to ensure you have the correct equipment and are using it correctly.
Installation
Installing a car seat correctly is essential for its effectiveness. Sadly it is the case that the NHTSA states that nearly 50% of car seats are incorrectly installed (and this includes rear facing). The best method to make sure that your infant car seats are installed correctly is to read through the manual, then have them assessed by a certified vehicle safety technician.
The angle check is the first step in installing an infant car seat that faces rearwards. You can check the angle of the base on the side or in the manual to ensure it is safe for your child's weight.
It is also important to ensure that your baby's head is placed at the right angle in the seat. Babies have heavy heads and soft necks, and the forward-facing position could put pressure on their necks and spine in the event of a collision. In a rear-facing crash, the car seat's back absorbs most of the crash force, which shields the baby's delicate neck as well as spinal cord.
Once infant car seat best has reached the limit of weight or height of the infant car seat it is time to switch to a convertible car seat or all-in one car seat. They can be used in a rear-facing orientation until the front-facing limit. If you decide to switch 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.
If you opt for an infant car seat that can be removed from the car, and then re-attached to the stroller, it is a great choice for parents who wish to take their infants into and out of the car regularly. It can be challenging and time-consuming to move your stroller and car seat into and out of your vehicle every time, especially in the case of a newborn. This can be a good option for a lot of families if they are willing to invest the time to get it right every time. Plan ahead and pick the day when you have plenty of spare time.