Rear Facing Infant Car Seat
In a crash, a rear-facing infant car seat absorbs the forces of the collision and protects your baby's neck and head. They also keep your child's legs away from hitting the front of the car seat during a crash, which could cause serious injury or even death.
All toddlers and infants must be rear-facing when they reach the maximum weight or height of the car seat manufacturer. This includes both infant car seats as well as convertible seats.
Rear-facing infant car seat is specifically designed for babies and smaller infants.
A rear-facing infant car seat is one type of child seat that is only rearward-facing position. These seats are designed specifically for infants and small babies typically up to 35 pounds. The seat's base is narrower than other car seats. This makes them suitable for small vehicles and also helps save space in the back seat. Many car seats for infants can be converted into strollers, making traveling with a child much easier.
Preemies and newborns born before 37 weeks of gestation are also recommended to use rear-facing infant car seats. They are more spacious and offer more comfort than standard car seats, which can be difficult for a small baby to get into and out of. The infant car seat also provides greater neck and head support than a standard front-facing car seat, which can aid in protecting preemies and small babies from injuries in the event of a crash.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children sit in a rear-facing position until they attain the maximum height and weight for their car seat, or about two years old. This is because the spine of the child will be stronger in this position and can prevent injuries to the spine. It is important to keep in mind that infants and children are more likely to suffer severe injuries when they are facing forward.
In the event of an accident, the rear-facing seat will absorb the majority of the impact, protecting the baby's head, neck and spine. If a child is sitting in a seat that faces forward, their heads can be placed in the console or dashboard of the vehicle, which can cause serious injury.
Many parents believe that their child is ready to get a booster seat or a seat facing forward at around the age of two. This is a big mistake. Recent research published in BMJ injury prevention show that it is safer for children to remain rear-facing in their car seats until the age of three or four. The longer a child remains rear-facing in their car seat the more likely that their cervical vertebrae will grow and develop ossification.
Installation and removal is simple.
Most rear-facing infant car seats include a snap-on base that can be removed from the vehicle when not in use. This feature is practical and lets parents keep their child in the seat without needing to leave the vehicle, especially in stormy weather or at night when it can be difficult. It also makes it easy to switch between cars and give grandparents and other caregivers access to the child's seat.
When your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants in terms of 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 when they are rear-facing for as long as is possible. Many safety experts suggest that children remain rear-facing in their car seats until they reach their second birthday, or the weight and height limit that is set by the manufacturer of the car seat.
In a frontal crash a baby riding rear-facing in a car seat absorbs majority of the forces in an accident by absorbing them on their head, neck, and the 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 while rear-facing, make sure to keep them warm with blankets and avoid placing loose ones between them or under them. Also, be cautious about dressing them in bulky outerwear that might interfere with the tightness of the harness. Also, make sure that the chest clip is level against the shoulder and the harness straps have no slack.
Many experts in child safety believe that if children ride in rear-facing car seats longer, they'll be five times more protected in a crash. This is because during a crash, children' heads are large for their bodies - could be thrown forward using force that is normally absorbed by their torsos and necks. Rear-facing seats protect the child's head and protect them from serious injuries.
They are designed to protect your child's head and neck.
In the event of an accident the neck and spinal cord of a child sitting in a rear-facing car seat is held by the back of the seat. In a frontal crash (the most common) infants in forward-facing car seats are being thrown against the dashboard. This can cause neck injuries, and even death. Infants in rear facing seats are held and padded by the back of their car seat, while their heads are supported by the headrest.
Infants also have an easier time breathing when they are sitting in a rear-facing car seat because their chin is raised against their chest. In forward-facing car seats the chin can be pushed down, which can make it difficult for children to breathe. In fact, children who lie down in a forward-facing car seat are 75% more likely to be injured in the head than those who sleep in a rear-facing car seat.
The brain and spine of a newborn are still developing. This makes them more susceptible to accidents. In a forward-facing crash, the head of an infant could strike the dashboard or buckle of the seat belt and this can stretch their spinal cord and cause serious injury or death. This is why it's important to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat as long as is possible, until they outgrow the height and weight limit of the car seat they're in.
Some infant car seats have an extra insert that supports the head of the baby. It can be removed when a child outgrows it. infant car seat rear facing have anti-rebound bars or load leg features that absorb the impact of a collision. This is important because it lessens the impact on your child and may even keep 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 particular car seat. When they do, they should transition to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seats that can be used rear-facing and converted to forward facing as they get bigger.
They are easy to clean.
Whether you buy an infant car seat that is attached to a base in your vehicle or a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that are all designed for quick and easy removal. They can often be clicked directly into travel systems and strollers to run errands while on the move. They are also easy to clean. They have covers that can be washed in the machine and parts that are removable and can be washed in the washer and dried. This is important, especially when you have children who are messy.
In the event of an accident the rear-facing position will cradle the child's neck and head. This is particularly crucial for children who are just starting out. Their spinal cords and heads are more flexible, and they also have lots of cartilage. During a crash, their head might snap backward and stretch their spinal cords, resulting in severe injuries. Many experts in car safety recommend that children stay rear-facing for as long as possible.
Although it's tempting to put your child into booster seats when they're ready however, every front-facing car seat switch reduces the amount of protection they'll have in a crash. In a front-facing crash their heads would be thrown forward and hit by the plastic shell of the seat or the dashboard, increasing the chance of injury. Ideally, children should ride rearwards until they reach the maximum weight of their rear-facing car seat or maximum height or up to 2 years old.
If you're unsure if your child is ready to transition from their rear-facing car seat, consult a certified CPST in your area who can assist. They can help you determine when your child is ready to turn around and make sure they are safe in their car seat.
Many parents assume that their child is no anymore a baby car seat when they reach the maximum rear-facing weight limit or height. There are a myriad of things to consider, including the size of your car as well as your child's unique form. A majority of infant car seats come with built-in recline indicators which tell you when your child's head isn't extending past the top of their seat. Review the instructions for your car seat and vehicle owner's manual for more details on safe recline.