Rear Facing Infant Car Seat
In the event of a crash, a rear-facing infant car seat absorbs the forces of the crash and protects your child's head and neck. They also keep your child's legs from hitting the front of the car seat in the event of a crash, which could 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 seats are specially designed for newborns and infants who are smaller.
A rear facing infant car seat is a particular kind of car seat for children that is only available in an rear-facing position. These seats are designed specifically for infants and small babies, usually up to 35 pounds. They also have a smaller base than other car seats. They are perfect for cars with small trunks and help to save space on the back of the seat. In addition, many baby car seats can be converted into strollers to make travel with a baby a lot easier.
Rear-facing infant car seats are also recommended for babies and infants born prior to 37 weeks gestation. They provide more space and more comfort than standard car seats, which can be difficult for a small baby to get into and out of. The infant car seat offers more cervical and head support than a car seat that is forward-facing. This can protect babies and preemies in the event of a crash.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain in the rear until they reach the maximum weight and height for their car seat, or approximately two years old. This is due to the fact that the spine of the child will be stronger in this position and prevent injuries to the spine. Additionally, it's important to note that children and infants are more prone to suffering serious injuries in front-facing collisions.
In the event of an accident, the rear-facing seat will absorb most of the force of the collision, thereby protecting the baby'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 which can cause serious injuries.
Many parents think that their child is ready for a booster or forward-facing seat at the age of two. But this is a huge mistake. Recent research published in BMJ injury prevention show that it is safer for children to be rear-facing in their car seats until the age of three or four. forward facing infant car seat is rear-facing, the more cervical vertebrae will grow and ossify.
They are easy to set up and remove.
The majority of rear facing infant car seats have a snap-on base that is installed in your vehicle and is easily removed when no longer needed. This is a great feature that allows parents to keep the child in their car seat without leaving the car, especially in bad weather or at night when it can be more difficult. It also makes it easy to change vehicles and allows grandparents and other caregivers access to the child's seat.
Once your child outgrows their infant car seat in height and weight then it's time to transition to a booster or convertible. However, it's important to remember that children are much safer when they're in a rear-facing car seat as long as is possible. Many safety experts recommend that children remain rear-facing in their car seats until they reach their second birthday, or the maximum weight and height limits set by the car seat manufacturer.
In a frontal crash a child riding rear-facing in a car seat absorbs majority of the force in the event of a crash by absorbing them at their head, neck, and spine. When a child is facing rear in a car seat the force of crashing could cause their head to be thrown forward leading to serious injuries or death.
If you are worried about your child's comfort facing backwards, keep them warm with a blanket. Avoid placing a blanket on top of or underneath them. Be cautious when wearing bulky clothing which could hinder the tightness of the harness. Lastly, make sure that the chest clip is flat against their shoulder and the harness straps are tight with no looseness.
Many child safety experts claim 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 in a crash, children head-on - which are disproportionately large for their bodies - can be thrown forward with force that would otherwise be absorbed by their torsos and necks. Rear-facing seats protect the child's head and shield them from serious injuries.
They will protect your child's neck and head.
In the event of an accident the neck and spinal cord of a child sitting in a rear facing car seat are held by the back of the seat. This is vital because in a frontal collision (the most frequent kind of car accident) infants who are facing forward in cars are thrown from the dashboard, which could cause neck injuries and even death. Infants in rear-facing seats are held by the back of their car seat and their heads are padded and supported by the headrest.
Infants also have an easier breathing experience when they are placed in a rear-facing seat because their chin is placed against their chest. When children are sitting in forward-facing car seats their chin is often pulled down, which can block their airway and make it difficult to breathe. In fact, kids who doze in a car seat that is forward-facing are 75% more likely suffer head injury than those who sleep in a rear-facing car seat.
The brain and spine of a baby are still developing. This makes them more prone to accidents. If a collision occurs with an infant who is facing forward and the head of the child could hit the dashboard buckle or the seat belt. This could cause the spinal cord to be stretched and could result in serious injury or even death. It's important 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 have an insert designed to support a baby's head. It can be removed when the child is no longer using it. In addition, many car seats feature load leg or anti-rebound bar features that can help absorb the impact of a crash. This is important because it reduces 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 seat until he or she reaches the weight and height limit of their car seat. Once they reach that point then, they should move to convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat which can be used rear facing and converted to forward facing as they grow.
They are easy to clean.
If you purchase an infant car seat that is attached 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. They're often clipped directly into travel systems or strollers for on-the go errands. These seats are easy to clean. Many have machine-washable covers and removable parts that can be washed in a washing machine and dried. This is especially important because children can be messy!
The rear facing position 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 have a lot of cartilage. During a collision, their head may snap backward and stretch their spinal cords, possibly result in serious injuries. Many car safety experts suggest that children remain rear-facing for as long as possible.
Although it's tempting to move your child into booster seats when they seem ready but every car seat that is front-facing reduces the amount of protection they'll receive in the event of a crash. In a frontal crash, the child's head could be dropped to the side and could possibly hit the dashboard or plastic shell. This increases the risk of injury. Ideally, children should ride rearwards until they reach the weight limit of their rear-facing seat or height limit or up to 2 years of age.
If you're unsure if your child is able to transition from their rear-facing car seat, consult a certified CPST in your area that can assist. They can assist you in determining the time when your child is ready to change seats and ensure that they are safe in their car seat.
Many parents mistakenly believe that they have outgrown their car seat for infants once they reach the maximum rear-facing height or weight limit. However there are a variety of things to take into consideration in addition to the size of your vehicle and the unique body shape of your child. Many infant car seats come with built-in indicators that inform you when your child's neck is not over the top of the seat. For more information about safe reclining, check the manual for your car seat and the owner's manual for your vehicle.