Rear Facing Infant Car Seat: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Rear Facing Infant Car Seat In the event of a crash rear-facing infant car seat absorbs the force of the crash and protects your child's neck and head. They also protect your child's legs away from hitting the front of the car seat in the event of a crash, which can cause serious injuries or even death. All infants and toddlers must ride rear-facing, until they reach the maximum weight or height of the car seat manufacturer. This applies to infant car seats and convertible seats. Rear-facing infant car seat is specifically designed for newborns, smaller infants. A rear-facing infant car seat is a kind of child seat that is only rearward-facing position. These seats are designed to accommodate infants and smaller infants, typically up to 35 pounds. The base of these seats is narrower than that of other car seats. They are ideal for cars with small trunks and make it easier to store them on the back of the car. Most infant car seats can also be converted into strollers, which makes the journey of a child more convenient. Rear-facing infant car seats are also recommended for babies and preemies born before 37 weeks gestation. They offer more room and a better fit than standard car seats, which can be difficult for a very small baby to get into and out of. The infant car seat also offers more head and neck support than a standard front-facing car seat, which can assist in protecting preemies as well as small babies from injuries in a crash. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain in the rear until they reach the maximum height and weight for their car seat, or approximately two years old. This is due to the fact that rear-facing provides more time for the child's spine to strengthen in this position, which can protect against injuries to the spine. Additionally, it is important to remember that infants and younger children are more prone to suffering serious injuries in front-facing collisions. In the event of an accident the rear-facing seat absorbs the majority of the impact, shielding the baby's neck, head and spine. In contrast, when children are in a seat that is forward-facing, their heads that are disproportionately large can be thrown against the dashboard or console of the vehicle which can cause serious injuries. Many parents believe that a child is ready to move to an adult booster seat or a forward-facing car seat by two years old. But this is a big mistake. Recent research published in BMJ Injury Prevention show that it is better for children to sit rear-facing in their car seats until the age of three or four. The longer a child remains rear-facing, the more cervical vertebrae will grow and ossify. Installation and removal is easy. The majority of rear facing infant car seats come with a snap-on base that is installed in your vehicle and can be easily removed when no longer needed. This is a useful feature that lets parents secure the child in their car seat without getting out of the vehicle, particularly in the event of bad weather or at the night when it's more difficult. It also makes it easier to switch between vehicles and allows grandparents and other caregivers access to the child's seat. Once your child outgrows their infant car seat in weight and height then it's time to transition to a convertible or booster. It's important to keep it in mind that children are safer if they ride rear-facing for as long as possible. In fact, it is advised by a number of safety experts that children use rear-facing car seats until their second birthday or when they reach the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer of the car seat. In a collision that is frontal the baby in a rear-facing car seat absorbs the bulk of the impact force taking it in at the head, neck and spine. When a child is facing rear in a car seat, the force of crashing could cause their head to be thrown forward, causing serious injury or even death. If you're worried about your child's safety rear-facing, try to keep them warm with blankets and avoid placing loose ones behind or underneath them. Likewise, be careful about dressing them in bulky outerwear that could interfere with the tightness of the harness. Also, ensure that the chest clip lies flat against their shoulders and the harness straps are secure with no looseness. Many child safety experts believe that if children are in rear-facing car seats for longer they'll be five times safer in a crash. This is due to the fact that in a crash, children head – which are disproportionately large for their bodies – could be thrown forward with force that is normally taken up by their torsos and necks. Seats that face the rear protect the child's head and protect them from serious injuries. They will protect your child's neck and head. When a baby is in the rear-facing car seat their neck and spinal cord are cradled against the back of the child safety seat in the event of a collision. In a frontal crash (the most common) infants in forward-facing car seats are thrown against the dashboard. This can result in neck injuries, or even death. Infants in rear facing seats are cradled and cushioned by their car seat's back, while their heads are supported by the headrest. Infants also have a much easier time breathing when they are sitting in a rear-facing car seat because their chin is placed against their chest. In forward-facing car seats, the chin can be pushed down and this can make it difficult for children to breathe. Kids who doze off in a front-facing car are 75% more likely than those who doze off in a rear facing car seat to suffer injuries to their heads. Another aspect to be considered is that a baby's spine and brain are developing, making them more vulnerable in the case of a crash. In a forward-facing crash an infant's head can hit the dashboard or buckle of the seat belt and this can stretch their spinal cord, causing serious injury or even death. It is essential to ensure that your child is in a rearward-facing car seat until they reach the weight and height limit of their car seat. Some infant car seats come with a special insert to support the head of the baby. When a child has outgrown it, the insert can be removed. Many car seats also have anti-rebound bars or load leg features that absorb the impact of a collision. This is important since it minimizes the impact to your child and may even keep them from being thrown from their seat. The recommendation of NHTSA is to keep your child in a rear-facing infant car seat until they reach the height and weight limit of their car seat. Once they reach that point then, they should move to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats that can be used with rear-facing and converted to forward facing as they increase in height. They are easy to clean. Whether you buy an infant car seat that connects to a base inside your vehicle or a convertible or all-in one car seat that are all designed to be quick and easy to remove. They're often clipped directly into travel systems and strollers for on-the go errands. They are also easy to clean. Many have machine-washable covers and parts that are removable and can be cleaned in the washing machine and dryer. This is essential, particularly when you have children who can be messy. In the case of an accident, the rear-facing position will cradle the head and neck of a child. This is particularly important for young children. Their heads are full of cartilage, and their spinal cords are more flexible than adults. If they crash, their head might be slammed backwards and stretch their spinal cords, result in serious injuries. best car seat suggest that children remain in the rear for as long as possible. It's tempting to switch your child's seat to a booster once they are ready, but every switch reduces their protection in a crash. In a front-facing crash their heads would be thrown forward, and could be struck by the plastic shell of the seat or the dashboard, increasing the risk of injury. Idealy, children should ride backwards until they reach the weight limit of their rear-facing seat or the height limit or up to 2 years of age. If you are unsure whether your child is transitioning from an rear-facing seat, consult an CPST certified local to your area for advice. They can help you determine the best age for your child to turn around, as well as ensure that they're properly and safely in their seat. Many parents assume that their child is no longer a baby car seat when they reach the maximum rear-facing weight or height limit. However, there are a number of things to take into consideration in addition to the size of your vehicle and child's unique body shape. A lot of infant car seats have built-in recline indicators that show you when your child's head is no longer reaching beyond the top of their seat. Make sure to check the instructions on your car seat and vehicle owner's manual for more details on safe reclining.