Rear Facing Infant Car Seat
In a crash, a 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 from hitting the front of the car seat during a crash, which could cause serious injury or even death.
All toddlers and infants must ride rear-facing until they reach the height or weight limit of their car seat's manufacturer. This includes both convertible seats and special infant car seats.
Rear-facing infant car seats are designed for newborns and infants who are smaller.
A rear-facing infant car seat is a kind of child car seat that is only rearward-facing position. These seats are made for newborns and smaller babies typically up to 35 pounds. They also have a smaller base than other car seats. They are ideal for small cars and allow for more space on the back of the seat. In addition, many baby car seats can be snapped into strollers to make traveling with a baby a lot easier.
Preemies and newborns born before 37 weeks of gestation are advised to use rear-facing infant car seats. They are larger and more comfortable than standard car seats that are difficult to get into and out of for small infants. The infant car seat offers more head and cervical support than a car seat that is forward-facing. This can help to protect infants and small babies in a crash.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children should remain rear-facing until they attain their maximum weight and height for the car seat or when they reach the age of two years old. This is because the spine of children is more able to strengthen in this position and prevent injuries to the spine. It is also important to note that infants and children are more likely to suffer severe injuries when facing forward.
In the event of a crash the rear-facing infant seat absorbs most of the impact's force, protecting the infant's head, neck and spine. However, when the child is in a forward-facing seat their disproportionately large heads can be thrown against the console or dashboard of the vehicle and cause serious injuries.
Many parents believe that their child is ready for the transition to an adult booster seat or a forward-facing car seat around age two. This is a major mistake. Recent research published in BMJ injury prevention have shown that it is safer for children to be rear-facing in their car seats until the age of three or four. The longer a child is rear-facing, the more their cervical vertebrae can mature and develop ossification.
Installation and removal is simple.
Most rear-facing infant car seat have a snap-on base which can be removed from your car when not in use. This is a convenient feature that lets parents secure the child in their car seat without leaving the vehicle, particularly in bad weather or at night when it is more difficult. It is also easy to switch between cars and give grandparents or other caregivers access the child's car seat.
Once your child outgrows their infant car seat in terms of weight and height then it's time to move on to a convertible or booster. It's crucial to keep in mind that children are much safer when they remain in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible. In fact, it is highly recommended by safety experts that children use rear-facing car seats until their second birthday or at the maximum height and weight limit of the car seat manufacturer.
In a collision that is frontal infants in a rear-facing car seat absorbs most of the force from the collision by absorption at the head, neck and spine. However, when the child is facing forward, their head is moved forward due to the force of the collision and could stretch their spinal cord and cause serious injury or even death.
If you are worried about your child's safety when rear-facing, keep them warm with blankets. Avoid placing a loose blanket behind or beneath them. Be cautious when dressing them in bulky clothes which could hinder the tightness of the harness. Make sure that the chest clip lies flat against their shoulder and the harness straps are secure with no slack.
Many child safety experts believe that rear-facing car seats will protect children five times more in the event of a crash, if they ride for longer. In an accident, the heads of children who are larger than their bodies are able to be thrown off with force that isn't absorption by their necks and their torsos. Seats that face the rear provide cushioning for the head of the child and protect them from serious injuries.
They guard the head and neck of your child.
If a child is in a rear-facing car seat, their neck and spinal cord are cradled against the back of the safety seat in the event of a collision. This is vital since in a frontal crash (the most frequent kind of car accident) infants who are facing forward in cars are thrown from the dashboard, which can result in neck injuries and possibly death. Children in rear-facing seats are held and cushioned by the back of their car seat and their heads are supported by the headrest.
Infants are also able to breathe more easily when they're in a rear-facing car seat, since their chin is pushed against their chest. When children are in forward-facing car seats, their chin is often pulled down, which can block their airway and make it difficult to breathe. Children who sleep in a front-facing car are 75% more likely than those who sleep in a rear-facing seat to sustain a head injury.
forward facing infant car seat and spine of a baby are still developing. This makes them more vulnerable to crashes. In the event of a crash that involves an infant who is facing forward and the head of the child may hit the buckle on the dashboard or seat belt. This could cause the spinal cord to become stretched and can lead to serious injuries or even death. It is crucial 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 infant. When a child has outgrown it, the insert can be removed. A majority of car seats have anti-rebound bars or load leg features that absorb the energy of a crash. This is crucial because it lessens the impact on your child and could stop them from being thrown from their seat.
NHTSA recommends that you keep your child in the rear-facing infant car seat until he or she reaches the weight and height limit of their car seat. After that, they can move to a convertible or all-in one car seat. These seats can be used rear-facing and then changed to forward-facing as they grow.
They are easy to clean.
All car seats, no matter if they are convertibles or all-in one car seats can be removed easily and quickly. They often connect directly to frame strollers and travel systems to run errands while on the move making life much easier! They are also easy to clean. Many seats have removable covers and removable parts which can be washed and dried in the washing machine. This is particularly important since children are messy!
The position that is rear facing cradles a child's head and neck in the event of a crash crucial for children who are just starting out. Their heads and spinal cords are more flexible, and they possess lots of cartilage. During a collision the head could move backwards and stretch their spinal cords and causing serious injuries. Many car safety experts recommend that children remain in the rear for as long as they can.
It may be tempting to move your child's front-facing seat to a booster once they are ready, but each switch lowers their protection in a crash. In a front-facing collision, their heads would be thrown forward, and could be struck by the plastic shell of the seat or the dashboard, increasing the chance of injury. The ideal scenario is for children to ride backwards until they reach the weight limit of their rear-facing seat or the height limit, or until two years old.
If you're unsure if your child is ready to move out of their rear-facing car seat, check with an accredited CPST in your area who can assist. They can assist you in determining the moment when your child is ready to turn around and ensure that they are riding safely in their car seat.
Many parents believe that their child has outgrown their car seat for infants once they have reached the maximum rear-facing height or weight limit. There are a myriad of things to consider, including the size of your car as well as your child's unique form. Many infant car seats have built-in indicators that will let you know when your child's neck is no longer above the top of the seat. Check your car seat instructions and the owner's manual of your vehicle for more information on safe reclining.