Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing
The most secure method to ensure your child remains in an infant car seat that faces rearwards is to keep them there. Children should only be able to switch to a forward-facing car seat once they reach the weight and height limits of their current car seat.
Remember that body paragraphs are structured like a hamburger. The introduction and concluding sentences resemble the top and bottom buns. The supporting body paragraphs are the meat of your essay.
Safety Benefits
Rear-facing infant car seats are the best option for newborns and young babies. This is because they support and cradle their necks and heads. Purva Grover MD director of the Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments, says that because their spines aren't yet formed, it is vital to keep the force of a crash away from their necks and head. In a frontal collision, the baby's head can strike the seat in front of them. This can cause whiplash that is severe or even fatal. In a rear-facing seat, the impact is absorbed and absorbed in the back of the car. "It's like hugging," says Adele. In addition, the child's legs are tucked into their car seat, which prevents them from being thrown forward by the rear of the seat or other vehicle surfaces. "This helps to prevent collisions with the inside of their own bodies, which causes internal injuries," she explains.
Many parents resist ERF because they fear their child is bored or uncomfortable. infant car seat rear facing pushchairsandprams has been true for my son, Lukas. In fact Lukas prefers to ride rear-facing since the recline feature lets him cross his legs and read an article or watch TV.
If you do have an older child who is hesitant to sit in a rear-facing seat because of leg length or other reasons Try to convince them that it's the safest way for them to travel. Explain that they are able to stay in their convertible or all-in-one seats in the event that they don't exceed the height and weight limits set by the manufacturer of the seat.
Be sure to buckle your child into a rear-facing car seat using the lower anchor system or seat belt. Don't let them wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats, since they can be compressed during a crash, causing the harness straps to loosen, putting your child at risk for injuries. Make sure to 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 might mean they have to be moved into the bassinet or crib at nap times or time of bed. This could mean waking the baby who was sleeping which isn't optimal. The security benefits of rear-facing outweigh the inconvenience, however.
Newborn babies and preemies are smaller than full-term newborns, so the headrest of their car seats is lower. This helps reduce the impact force and also ensures that the harness' chest clip is placed below their shoulders rather than at their necks. This is particularly crucial for premature babies who have weaker bones, and aren't ossified due to pregnancy or birth.
Additionally, the rear-facing position provides the best view of your baby than forward-facing. This allows you to monitor their behavior and make sure they are comfortable and content. Many infant car seats have built-in mirrors that can be adjusted so you can see your child at any angle.
When your baby is outgrowing their car seat as infants or is at the weight or height limit set by the seat manufacturer You can then switch to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that allows them to remain rear-facing until they reach two years old. Some even have higher rear-facing limits than rear-only seats which means they can be used for longer.
Convertible car seats or all-in one seats are known as multi-functional. They can be used backward facing or forward facing and as belt-positioning boosters. They are also easy to set up and take down due to their large base in the back of your car. These seats are more expensive than infant car seats that can be used only once, but they will last longer and save money over the course of time.
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 minimum two years old. It's common for children to outgrow their rear-facing infant car seat by the time they reach the age of two. However, it's best to hold off until they reach the age of two.
Weight Limits
All infant car seats have weight and height limits that you have to be aware of. The majority of infant car seats have a maximum weight limit of 30 to 35 lbs and a height limit of around 30 inches, depending on the model. Once your child reaches the limit, you can move to the next level of security. You can either choose a convertible seat that allows your child to sit forward or rear-facing, or an all-in one car seat.
There are other factors aside from the weight and height limit, that can indicate whether your child is able to move up a stage in a car seat. One of these is their comfort level riding in a rear-facing. You can check for these signs by watching your child's behavior, and then comparing them to other children of similar age in their car seats. You can also seek assistance from certified child safety experts at a car seat inspection station, which is often operated by local government or community groups.
Remaining rear-facing for your infant as long as possible is the best option for them, and it's easy to see why a lot of parents are hesitant to turn their children around until they're fully grown. But you can still avoid this temptation by making sure that your child's car seat is correctly installed and do not rush to change to a forward-facing seat too soon even if they're not close to the weight or height limits of the car seat they're currently in.
You can reach 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 install the car seat correctly. They can be found through community organizations, local government offices, and child safety programs. You can search online for one near you or call your local public safety agency or health department. There are also mobile car seat check-in events that can visit your workplace or home to make sure you have the proper equipment and are making use of it properly.
Installation
A car seat must be installed correctly in order to be effective. The NHTSA states, with regret, that more than half of car seats are installed incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to make sure that your infant car seat is correctly installed is to read the instruction manual and have it examined by a certified car safety technician.
The angle check is the first step in installing a rear-facing infant car seat. Make sure the car seat base is set at a suitable angle for your baby's weight, which you can find on the the side of the car seat base or in its user manual.
You should also be sure that your baby's head is in the right angle when in the seat. The forward-facing position could put pressure on the spine and neck of babies due to their hefty heads and soft necks. If a rear-facing collision occurs the back of a car seat absorbs most of the crash force. This protects the baby’s neck and the spinal cord.
Once your baby has reached the weight or height limit of their infant car seat, it is time to move to a convertible or an all-in-one 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 all-in-1 car seat, make sure that the new model has a greater rearward facing limit. Older models have lower limits.
Parents who frequently transport their infants by car will find it convenient to pick an infant car seat that can be detached and connected to the stroller. The only drawback is that it can be a hassle and time-consuming to get the stroller and car seat into and out of your vehicle every time, especially for a newborn. If you're willing to invest the extra time each time to get it right, this can be a good option for many families. Plan ahead and choose a day that you have plenty of time.