Rear Facing Infant Car Seat
A rear-facing infant seat absorbs the force of a collision in a crash and protects your child's head and neck. In a crash they also prevent your child's legs hitting the front of the car seat. This can cause serious injury or even death.
All infants and toddlers must ride rear-facing, until they reach the maximum weight or height of their car seat manufacturer. This includes infant car seats and convertible seats.
Rear-facing infant car seats are specifically designed for babies and infants who are smaller.
A rear-facing infant car seat is a kind of child seat that is only rearward-facing position. These seats are made for newborns and smaller babies, usually up to 35 pounds. They also have a wider base than other types of car seats. This makes them perfect for small cars and can help make space in the back of the car. Many infant car seats can also be converted into strollers, which makes traveling with a child much easier.
Preemies and newborns born prior to 37 weeks of gestation are also advised to use rear-facing infant car seats. They are bigger and more comfortable than standard car seats that can be difficult to get in and out of for very small babies. The infant car seat provides more cervical and head support than a forward-facing car seat. This can help protect preemies or smaller babies in a crash.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight and height for the car seat, or when they reach the age of two years old. This is due to the fact that the spine of a child can strengthen more in this position and can prevent spinal injuries. It is also important to note that children and infants are more prone to suffer severe injuries when they are facing forward.
In the case of an accident, the rear-facing seat will absorb most of the force of the collision, thereby protecting the baby's neck, head, and spine. When a child sits in a seat that faces forward, their heads may be dropped into the dashboard or console of the vehicle, which can cause serious injury.
Many parents think that their child is ready for an adult booster seat or a forward-facing one around the age of two. This is a huge mistake. It is better for children to remain rear-facing in their car seats until they reach three or four years old, as per recent studies published in BMJ Injury Prevention. The longer a child remains rear-facing in their car seat the more likely it is that their cervical vertebrae will mature and ossify.
They are easy to set up and remove.
Most rear facing infant car seats have a snap-on base that is placed in your vehicle and can be easily removed when no longer required. This feature is practical and allows parents to ensure their child is in the seat without having to get out of the vehicle, especially in stormy weather or at night when it may be more difficult. It also makes it easier to change cars and give grandparents and other caregivers access to the child's seat.
If your child has outgrown their infant car seat, in terms of weight or height it's time to upgrade to a convertible or booster. It's important to keep in mind that children are safer when they ride rear-facing for as long as is possible. In fact, it's highly recommended by safety experts to have children ride rear-facing until their two years old or until they reach the maximum height and weight limit set by the car seat manufacturer.
In a frontal crash a child riding rear-facing in a car seat absorbs the majority of the force in an accident by absorbing them around their neck, head, and the spine. In contrast, when the child is facing forward their head is moved forward by the force of the crash. This could cause a stretch in their spinal cord and cause serious injury or death.
If you are concerned about your child's comfort rear-facing, keep them warm by wrapping them in a blanket. Avoid placing a blanket that is loose behind or under them. Likewise, be careful about dressing them in bulky outerwear which could hinder the tightness of the harness. Also, make sure that the chest clip is flat against the shoulder and that the harness straps are free of looseness.
best car seats say that rear-facing car seats protect children five times more in the event of a crash when they are riding for longer. This is because during a crash, children head-on are large for their bodies - can be thrown forward with force that could otherwise be absorbed by their torsos and necks. With rear-facing seats, a child's head is supported by the seat's headrest and is held by their backs in an accident, shielding them from the most significant injuries.
They safeguard the head and neck of your child.
When an infant is riding in the rear-facing car seat their neck and spinal cord is cradled against the back of the safety seat in the event of a collision. In a frontal collision (the most common) infants in car seats that face forward are being thrown against the dashboard. This can cause neck injuries or even death. Children in rear-facing seats are held and cushioned by their car seat's back, while their heads are supported by the headrest.
Infants can also breathe much more easily when they're in a rear-facing car seat because their chin is pushed against their chest. In forward-facing car seats the chin may be pulled down and this can make it difficult for children to breathe. Children who sleep in a front-facing car are 75% more likely than those who sleep in a rear-facing car seat to suffer injuries to their heads.
Another important factor to consider is that a baby's spine and brain are still developing, making them more vulnerable in the case of an accident. In a forward-facing crash an infant's head can hit the dashboard or buckle of the seat belt and it could stretch their spinal cord and cause serious injury or even death. This is why it's important to ensure that your child is in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible, until they've reached the height and weight limit of the car seat they're in.
Some infant car seats come with an extra insert that supports the head of the baby. When a child has outgrown the insert, it can be removed. Additionally, many car seats feature load leg or anti-rebound bar features that can help absorb the force of a crash. This is crucial because it lessens the impact on your child and could stop them from being thrown from their seat.
The recommendation from NHTSA is to keep your child in a rear-facing infant car seat until they reach the height and weight limit for their specific car seat. When they do it, they should be moved to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat which can be used rear-facing and converted to forward facing as they get bigger.
The rugs are easy to clean.
Whether you buy an infant car seat that attaches to a base in your vehicle or a convertible or all-in one car seat that are all designed to be easy and quick removal. Often, they can also connect directly to frame strollers and travel systems for errands on the go making life much easier! These seats are simple to clean. A lot of seats have covers that can be removed and removable parts which can be washed and dried in the washing machine. This is crucial, especially when you have children who can be messy.
The rear facing position is where a child's head is cradled in the neck in the event of a crash that is crucial for young children. Their spinal cords and heads are more flexible, and they possess lots of cartilage. In the event of a crash, their head might move backwards and stretch their spinal cords, result in serious injuries. This is why many car safety experts advise keeping children facing rear for as long as is possible.
Although it's tempting to put your child to booster seats when they're ready, each front-facing car seat switch reduces the amount of protection they'll receive in a crash. In a frontal crash, the child's head could be turned to the side and possibly hit the plastic shell or dashboard. This increases the chance of injury. It is recommended that children be rear-facing until they reach the maximum rear-facing weight or height limit for their seat or until they reach the age of 2.
If you're unsure whether your child is ready to move out of their rear-facing seat, consult a certified CPST in your area that can assist. They can assist you in determining the moment when your child is ready to turn around and make sure they are safe in their car seat.
Many parents believe that their child is no anymore a baby car seat when they reach their maximum rear-facing weight limit or height. But there are a variety of things to take into consideration, including the size of your vehicle and the unique body shape of your child. Many infant cars seats have built-in recline indicators which tell you when your child's head is no longer extended beyond the top of their seat. Make sure to check the instructions on your car seat and the owner's manual for more details on safe reclining.