Rear Facing Infant Car Seat
A rear-facing infant seat absorbs the force of an impact in a crash and shields your child's neck and head. They also protect your child's legs from striking the front of the car seat in a crash, which can cause serious injury or death.
All toddlers and infants must be rear-facing until they reach the maximum weight or height of their car seat manufacturer. This includes infant car seats as well as convertible seats.
Rear-facing infant car seat is specifically designed for babies and infants who are smaller.
A rear-facing infant car seat is one kind of child car seat that only has a rearward-facing position. These seats are made for babies and infants generally up to 35 pounds. They also have a narrower base than other car seats. This makes them ideal for cars with small spaces and also helps make space in the back of the car. Many car seats for infants can be converted into strollers, making traveling with a child much simpler.
Rear facing infant car seats are also recommended for babies and preemies born before 37 weeks gestation. They offer more room and more comfort than standard car seats, which can be difficult for a small baby to get in and out of. The infant car seat gives more head and cervical support than a rear-facing car seat. This can help protect preemies or smaller babies in the event of a collision.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children sit in a rear-facing position until they reach the maximum weight and height for their car seat, which is about two years old. This is based on the fact that there is more time for the spine of the child to strengthen in this position, which may prevent spinal injuries. It is also important to note that children and infants are more likely to sustain severe injuries when they are facing forward.
In the event of a crash the rear-facing infant car seat absorbs the bulk of the force of impact, protecting the infant's head, neck and spine. However, when the child is in a seat that is forward-facing, their heads that are disproportionately large can be thrown at the dashboard or console of the vehicle, causing serious injuries.
Many parents believe that a child is ready to transition to the booster seat or forward-facing car seat by the age of two. But this is a major mistake. It is better for children to be rear-facing in their car seats until they are three or four years old, as per recent studies published in BMJ Injury Prevention. The longer a child is rear-facing in their car seat the more likely that their cervical vertebrae mature and become ossified.
They are easy to install and remove.
Most rear-facing infant car seats include a snap-on base that can be removed from your vehicle when not in use. This is a great feature and allows parents to secure the child in their car seat without getting out of the car, particularly in the event of bad weather or at the night when it's more difficult. It also makes it easier to switch between cars and to give grandparents and other caregivers access to the child's seat.
When your child is outgrowing their car seat for infants, in terms of height or weight then it's time to upgrade to a convertible or booster. But, it's important to keep in mind that children are safer when they remain in a rear-facing car seat as long as they can. Many safety experts suggest that children remain rear-facing in their car seats until their second birthday, or the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer of the car seat.
In a frontal crash the baby in a rear-facing car seat absorbs the bulk of the impact force by absorption around the neck, head and the spine. If a child is rear-facing in a car seat the force of crashing may cause their head to be thrown forward, which can cause serious injury or death.
If you're concerned about your child's safety while facing backwards, try keeping them warm in a blanket and avoid placing an untidy one behind or underneath them. Also, be cautious about dressing them in bulky outerwear that could interfere with the tightness of the harness. The last thing to do is ensure that the chest clip is flat against the shoulder and the harness straps have no looseness.
Many child safety experts believe that rear-facing car seats will protect children five times more in the event of a crash, when they are riding for longer. In a crash head injuries to children's heads that are significantly larger than their bodies – are able to be thrown off with force that isn't absorbed 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 protect the head and neck of your child.
If a child is in a rear-facing car seat, their neck and spinal cord is cradled against the back of the safety seat in the event of a crash. In a frontal crash (the most common), infants in car seats that face forward are thrown against the dashboard. This can result in neck injuries, and even death. Infants in rear-facing cars are held by the back of their car seats, and their heads are padded and supported by the headrest.
Infants also have a significantly easier breathing process when placed in a rear-facing seat since their chins are raised against their chest. When children are in forward-facing car seats, their chins are often pushed down and this could block their airways and make it difficult to breathe. Children who fall asleep in a front-facing car are seven times more likely than kids who doze off in a rear facing car seat to suffer injuries to their heads.
Another crucial aspect to take into consideration is that a baby's spine and brain are still developing, which makes them more vulnerable in the event of an accident. If a crash occurs with a front-facing view, an infant's head can hit the dashboard or buckle of the seat belt, and it could stretch their spinal cord, causing serious injury or even death. It's important to keep your infant in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the weight and height limits of their car seat.
Some infant car seats have an insert specifically designed to support the head of the infant. This can be removed after the child has outgrown it. In addition, many car seats come with load bar or anti-rebound features that help absorb the impact of the crash. This is important as it helps reduce the impact on your child, and could even keep the child from being ejected.
The recommendation from NHTSA is to keep your child in an infant car seat that faces rearwards until they reach the weight and height limit of their car seat. Then, they can transition to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat. These seats can be used rear-facing and then converted to forward-facing when they grow.
The rugs are easy to clean.
If you purchase an infant car seat that is attached to a base within your vehicle or a convertible or all-in one car seat that are all designed to be easy and quick removal. They're often clipped directly into travel systems or strollers for errands on the go. These seats are easy to clean. Many of them have covers that are removable and removable parts which can be washed and dried in the washing machine. This is especially important as children are messy!
In the case of an accident, the position of the rear will protect a child's neck and head. This is particularly important for young children. Their heads are stuffed full of cartilage, and their spinal cords are more flexible than those of adults. When they collide their head can move backwards and stretch their spinal cords, result in severe injuries. This is one reason why many auto safety experts suggest keeping children rear-facing for as long as they can.
Although it's tempting to move your child into booster seats when they appear ready however, every front-facing car seat switch reduces the amount of protection they have in a crash. In a frontal crash, the child's head would be thrown towards the side and possibly impact the dashboard or plastic shell. infant car seat newborn increases the chance of injury. Ideally, kids should be rear-facing until they reach the maximum rear-facing weight or height limit of their seat or until they turn 2 years old.
If you're unsure whether your child is ready to transition out of their rear-facing seat, talk to an accredited CPST in your area who can assist. They can assist you in determining the ideal age at which your child can turn around, and also ensure they're riding correctly and safely in their car seat.
Many parents mistakenly assume they have outgrown their car seat for infants once they grow out of the maximum rear-facing height or weight limit. There are a variety of factors to consider including the size of your car and your child's unique form. A majority of infant car seats come with built-in recline indicators that show you when your child's head isn't extending past the top of their seat. Make sure to check the instructions on your car seat and the owner's manual for more information about safe reclining.