The Reason Why Infant Car Seat Rear Facing Is More Dangerous Than You Believed

Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing The safest way to keep your child in a rear-facing infant car seat is to keep them there. pushchairsandprams should only be moved to an infant car seat that faces forward when they reach the weight and height limits of their current seat. Remember that the body paragraphs are organized like hamburgers. The introduction and conclusion sentences are the top and bottom buns. The body paragraphs that follow are the meat of your essay. Safety Benefits Rear-facing infant car seats are the safest option for newborns and young babies. This is because they support and cradle their neck and head. Purva Grover MD director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments, says that because their spines aren't formed, it is vital to keep the force from an accident away from their necks and head. In a frontal crash, the head of a child would 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 absorbed at the back of the vehicle. “It's like hugging,” says Adele. The legs of a child can be tucked into the car seat to keep them from being thrown into the rear of the seat or any other surface in the vehicle. “This keeps them from colliding with the inside of their own bodies, which causes 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 in the rear as the seat reclines, which allows him to read a book or watch a show while he does so. If you have children who are reluctant to be rear-facing because of their leg length or other reasons, convince them that this is the best option. Explain that they can remain in their convertible or all-in-one seats provided they don't exceed the height and weight limits set by the manufacturer of the seat. Be sure to lock your child in a rear-facing seat with the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Don't let them wear bulky clothing like winter coats, as these can be compressed during a crash, causing the straps of the harness to become loose and place your child at risk for injuries. Always make use of the Pinch Test to ensure a snug fit. Convenience Many parents prefer keeping infant car seats facing rear as long as they can because they are less cumbersome and more mobile than convertible car seats. If you decide to keep your child rear-facing, they may have to be placed in a bassinet or crib for nap or at bedtime. This could mean waking the baby who is sleeping which isn't ideal. The safety advantages of rear-facing far outweigh this inconvenience, but. Newborn babies and preemies are smaller than full-term newborns which means that the headrest of their car seats is lower. This helps reduce the force of an impact and also ensures that the harness's chest clip is located below their shoulders instead of at their necks. This is particularly crucial for premature babies who have weaker bones and still aren't ossified due to pregnancy or birth. The position that faces the rear lets you see your baby better than the forward-facing position. This allows you to easily check their behavior and make sure they are comfortable and happy. Most infant car seats have a built-in mirror that can be adjusted to ensure that you can observe your child from any angle. When your child is no longer in their car seat for infants, or reaches the height or weight limit set by the seat manufacturer, you can switch 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 rear-facing car seats have limits that are higher than rear-only car seats which allows them to be used for a longer period of time. Convertible car seats or all-in one seats are known as multi-functional. They can be used in forward-facing, rear-facing or as a belt positioning booster. They are also easy to set up and take down because they are built with a large base in the back of your car. They are more expensive than the infant car seats that can be used once, but they'll 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 established by the car seat manufacturer or are at least 2 years older. Many children outgrow their rear-facing infant car seat before age two However, don't be enticed to turn them around earlier. It's safer to keep it in the rear for a while. Weight Limits You should be aware that all car seats for infants come with weight and height restrictions. The majority have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds, and an upper height limit of about 30 inches or so, based on the model. Once your child reaches the limit, you are able to proceed to the next level of security. You can opt for an adjustable seat that allows your child to ride forward or rear-facing, or an all-in one car seat. There are other aspects, besides the weight and height limits, that can tell you whether your child is able to move up a stage in a car seat. One of these is their level of comfort when riding rear-facing. You can identify these signs by watching your child's behavior, and then comparing them to other children in their carseats. You can also ask for help from a certified child passenger safety specialists at a car seat inspection station that are usually run by local government agencies or community-based organizations. It is ideal to keep your infant facing rear for as long as you can. This is the reason why many parents wait until their children are fully grown before turning them around. You can avoid this temptation by making sure that your child's car seat is properly installed and don't switch them to a front-facing seat before they're ready, even if their weight or height is within the limits of their existing seat. You can reach a certified child passenger technician if you have any questions about your child's readiness for the next stage of car seats or if you're worried that you might not install the car seat correctly. These specialists can be found through local community organizations, government offices and child passenger safety programs. You can locate one close to you by searching online or contacting your local health department or public safety agency. Mobile car seat check-in events can be held at your office or home to make sure you have the right equipment and that you are using them correctly. Installation A car seat must be installed correctly in order to be effective. The NHTSA states, with regret, that almost 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 study the manual and have it examined by a certified car safety technician. The first step when installing an infant rear facing car seat is to determine the angle. 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. Also, ensure that the baby's head is correctly positioned in the seat. The forward-facing position could cause pressure on the neck and spine of infants with their large heads and soft necks. In a rear-facing crash, the car seat's back absorbs the majority of the crash force, which shields the baby's delicate neck and spinal cord. When your baby is at the weight limit or height of the car seat they were in as 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. Make sure you purchase an infant car seat that has a higher rear-facing limit if you switch to this type of seat, since older models have lower limits. Parents who often transport their infants by car will find it convenient to select an infant car seat that is able to be removed and connected to a stroller. It can be difficult and time-consuming to maneuver your car seat and stroller into and out of your vehicle on a regular basis, especially if you have a newborn. This can be a good choice for many families who are willing to spend the time to do it right every time. Make sure you think ahead and pick the day that you have plenty of time to spare.