The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Rear Facing Infant Car Seat
Rear Facing Infant Car Seat A rear-facing infant seat absorbs the force of a collision in a crash and shields your child's head and neck. They also keep your child's legs from striking the front of the carseat in a crash, which could cause serious injury or even death. All toddlers and infants should be rear-facing until they reach the weight or height limit of their car seat's manufacturer. This includes both infant car seats and convertible seats. Rear-facing infant car seats are specifically designed for newborns, smaller infants. A rear-facing infant car seat is one kind of child car seat that has only a rearward-facing position. These seats are made for babies and infants, usually up to 35 pounds. They also have a narrower base than other types of car seats. This makes them perfect for small vehicles and can help reduce the space needed in the back of the vehicle. The majority of car seats for infants can be transformed into strollers, making traveling with a child easier. Infants born before 37 weeks of gestation are advised to use rear-facing infant car seats. They are larger and are more well-fitted than standard car seats, which can be difficult to access and out of for very small babies. The infant car seat offers more head and neck support than a front-facing car seat, which could help to protect preemies and infants from injury in the event of a crash. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain in the rear until they attain the maximum height and weight for their car seat, or around two years old. This is because the spine of the child can strengthen more in this position and can prevent spinal injuries. It is also important to remember that children and infants are more likely to sustain severe injuries when facing forward. In the case of a crash the rear-facing infant seat absorbs most of the force generated by the collision and protects the baby's neck, head and spine. When a child rides in a forward-facing seat their heads, which are large, could be thrown into the console or dashboard of the vehicle which can cause serious injuries. Many parents believe that their child is ready to move to the booster seat or forward-facing car seat at around the age of two. This is a huge error. Recent research published in BMJ injury prevention have shown that it is better for children to remain rear-facing in their car seats until they reach the age of three or four. The longer a child stays rear-facing in their car seat the more likely that their cervical vertebrae will grow and ossify. They are easy to install and remove. Most rear-facing infant car seats have a snap-on base which can be removed from the vehicle when not in use. This feature is practical and allows parents to secure their child in the seat without needing to leave the vehicle, particularly during bad weather or at nights when it can be difficult. It is also simple to switch between cars and give parents or other caregivers access the child's car seat. Once your child has outgrown their infant car seat, in terms of height or weight it's time to upgrade to a convertible or booster. But, it's important to remember that children are much safer when they're in a rear-facing car seat for as long as is possible. In fact, it's advised by a number of safety experts that children use rear-facing car seats until their two years old or until they reach the height and weight limit set by the car seat manufacturer. In a frontal crash the baby in a rear-facing car seat absorbs most of the force from the collision by taking it in at the head, neck and spine. However, when children ride forward-facing their head is thrown forward due to the force of the crash and could stretch their spinal cord, causing serious injury or death. If you are worried about your child’s comfort when rear-facing, keep them warm by wrapping them in blankets. Avoid placing a blanket on top of or underneath them. Be sure to not dress them in bulky outerwear as this could interfere with the tightness and fit of the harness. travel infant car seat pushchairsandprams to do is ensure that the chest clip is flat against the shoulder and the harness straps do not have looseness. Many child safety experts say that rear-facing car seats protect children five times better in a crash when they are riding for longer. In an accident head injuries to children's heads who are larger than their bodies can be thrown around with force that is not taken up by their necks or the torsos. Seats that face the rear protect the child's head and shield them from serious injuries. They will protect your child's head and neck. In the case of an accident the neck and spinal cord of a child who is in a rear-facing car seat will be cradled by the back of the seat. This is vital because in a frontal collision (the most common type of car crash) infants in forward-facing cars are thrown to the dashboard, which could result in neck injuries and possibly death. Infants in rear facing seats are held and cushioned by the back of their car seat while their heads are supported by the headrest. Infants are also able to breathe easier when they are in a rear-facing car seat, since their chin is pushed against their chest. In forward-facing car seats, the chin may be pulled down and it can be difficult for children to breathe. Children who sleep in a car seat that faces the front are 75% more likely than those who doze off in a rear-facing car seat to suffer an injury to their head. Another aspect to be considered is that a baby's brain and spine are still developing, making them more vulnerable in the case of an accident. In a forward-facing crash the head of an infant could strike the dashboard or buckle of the seat belt and it could stretch their spinal cord and cause serious injury 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 have an insert specifically designed to support the head of the baby. This can be removed after the child has outgrown it. A majority of car seats have anti-rebound bars or load leg features that absorb energy of a crash. This is crucial as it reduces impact on your child, and could even keep him from being thrown out. The recommendation of 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. After that, they can move to an all-in-one or convertible car seat. These seats can be used rear-facing and then changed to forward-facing when they grow. They are easy to clean. All car seats, whether they are convertibles or all-in one car seats are able to be removed easily and quickly. Often, they can also connect directly to frame strollers and travel systems for on-the-go errands and make life much easier! They are also easy to clean. A lot of seats have covers that can be removed and parts that can be cleaned and dried in the washing machine. This is important, especially if you have children who are messy. In the event of an accident, the rear-facing position will cradle the head and neck of a child. This is particularly important for young children. Their heads are full of cartilage, and their spinal cords are more flexible than those of adults. During a collision, their head may move backwards and stretch their spinal cords, leading to serious injuries. Many car safety experts recommend that children remain in the rear for as long as they can. While it's tempting to transition your child to booster seats when they're ready however, every front-facing car seat switch reduces the amount of protection they'll have in the event of a collision. In a frontal crash the child's head could be turned to the side and could possibly impact the dashboard or plastic shell. This increases the risk of injury. Ideally, children should be riding rearwards until they reach their rear-facing seat's maximum weight or maximum height or up to 2 years of age. If you're unsure if your child should be transitioning from the rear-facing seat, contact an CPST certified local to your area for help. They can help you determine the ideal age for your child to turn around, and also ensure they're riding correctly and safely in their seat. Many parents believe that their child is no anymore a baby car seat when they reach the maximum rear-facing weight limit or height. But there are a myriad of things to take into consideration in addition to the size of your vehicle and child's unique body shape. A lot of infant car seats have built-in recline indicators that tell you when your child's head is no longer reaching beyond the top of their seat. Make sure to check the instructions on your car seat and the owner's manual of your vehicle for more information about safe recline.