Rear Facing Infant Car Seat

A rear-facing infant seat suppresses the force of impact during a crash, and protects your child's head and neck. They also prevent your child's legs from striking the front of the car seat in a crash, which could cause serious injury or even death.

All toddlers and infants should ride rear-facing, until they reach the maximum weight or height of their car seat manufacturer. This includes both convertible seats and dedicated infant car seats.

Rear-facing infant car seats are specifically designed for babies and infants who are smaller.

A rear-facing infant car seat is one kind of child car seat that is only rearward-facing position. These seats are designed to accommodate infants and small children usually up to 35 pounds. They also have a smaller base than other types of car seats. They are ideal for cars with small spaces and can allow for more space on the back of the car. In addition, many infant car seat travel car seats can be converted into strollers, making traveling with a child much more convenient.

Preemies and newborns born prior to 37 weeks of gestation are advised to use rear-facing infant car seats. They are more spacious and more comfortable than standard car seats that can be difficult to access and out of for small babies. The infant car seat offers more head and neck support than a front-facing car seat, which can help to protect preemies and infants from injury in the event of a crash.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children should remain rear-facing until they attain their maximum weight and height for car seats or at around two years old. This is due to the fact that there is more time for the spine of the child to develop strength in this position, which could help prevent injuries to the spine. Additionally, it's important to note that infants and younger children are more likely to suffer serious injuries from front-facing collisions.

In the event of a crash the rear-facing infant seat absorbs the majority of the force of impact, thereby protecting the baby's head, neck and spine. When a child sits in a seat that is facing forward, their heads can be placed in the console or dashboard of the vehicle, causing serious injury.

Many parents believe that a child is ready for the transition to the booster seat or forward-facing car seat around age two. This is a huge mistake. Recent studies 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 stays rear-facing in their car seat, the more likely it is that their cervical vertebrae mature and develop ossification.

Installation and removal is easy.

Most rear-facing infant car seats have a snap-on base which 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 leaving the car, especially during bad weather or the night when it's more difficult. It also makes it simple to change cars and give grandparents and other caregivers access to the child's seat.

Once your child has outgrown their rotating infant car seat car seat, in terms of weight or height then it's time to upgrade to a booster or convertible. It's important to keep in mind that children are safer if they are rear-facing for as long as they can. Many safety experts recommend that children remain rear-facing in their car seats until their second birthday, or the weight and height limit that is set by the manufacturer of the car seat.

In a collision that is frontal infants in a rear-facing car seat absorbs the bulk of the force from the collision by absorbing it around the neck, head and the spine. If a child is rear-facing 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 concerned about your child's safety rear-facing, make sure to keep them warm with a blanket and avoid placing loose ones under or behind them. Be careful not to dress them in bulky clothing as this could interfere with the snugness and fit of the harness. Make sure that the chest clip sits flat against their shoulder and the harness straps are secure with no looseness.

Many child safety experts believe that if children are in rear-facing car seats for longer, they'll be five times more protected in the event of a crash. In a crash, the heads of children that are significantly larger than their bodies can be thrown with force that is not taken up by their necks or their torsos. With rear-facing seats children's heads are protected by the headrest of the seat and is cradled by their back in the event of a crash, shielding them from the most significant injuries.

They guard the head and neck of your child.

When a baby is in the rear-facing car seat their neck and spinal cord is cradled against the back of the child safety seat in the event of a crash. This is crucial since in a frontal crash (the most common type of car accident), babies in forward-facing cars are forcefully thrown into the dashboard, which can cause neck injuries and even death. Infants in rear-facing seats are held by the back of their car seats and their heads are padded and supported by the headrest.

Infants also have a much easier breathing process when positioned in a rear-facing car seat since their chins are pushed up against their chest. When children are sitting in forward-facing car seats, their chins are frequently downwards, which can block their airways and make it difficult to breathe. Children who sleep in a front-facing car are seven times more likely than those who doze off in a rear-facing seat to suffer an injury to their head.

Another aspect to be considered is that the brain and spine are still developing, which makes them more susceptible in the case of a crash. In a forward-facing crash, an infant's head can hit 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've reached the weight and height limits of the car seat they're in.

Some infant car seats have an insert specifically designed to support the baby's head. When a child is no longer using the insert, it can be removed. Additionally, many car seats feature load leg or anti-rebound bar features that help absorb the impact of the crash. This is important because it minimizes the impact to your child and may even stop them from being thrown from their seat.

NHTSA recommends keeping your child in the rear-facing infant car seats on sale seat until he or she is at the weight and height limits of their car seat. Then, they can transition to an all-in-one or convertible car seat. These seats can be used with rear-facing and then converted to forward-facing when they grow.

They are easy to clean.

All car seats, whether they are convertibles or all-in one car seats can be removed quickly and easily. In many cases, they click directly into frame strollers and travel systems for on-the-go errands, which makes life so much easier! These seats are also very easy to clean. Many seats have removable covers and parts that are removable, which can be cleaned and dried in the washing machine. This is essential, particularly for children who are messy.

In the case of an accident, the position of the rear will protect the child's neck and head. This is especially crucial for children who are just starting out. Their heads and spinal cords are more flexible, and they also have lots of cartilage. During a collision, their head may snap backward and stretch their spinal cords, causing serious injuries. This is one reason why many auto safety experts recommend keeping kids rear-facing for as long as they can.

It's tempting to switch your child's front-facing seat to a booster once they are ready, but every switch decreases their safety in the event of a crash. In a front-facing crash, their heads would be thrown forward and hit by the plastic shell of the car seat or the dashboard, increasing the chance of injury. It is recommended that children ride rear-facing until they have reached the maximum rear-facing weight or the maximum height for their seat or until they're 2 years old.

If you're not sure if your child is able to transition from their rear-facing car seat, check with a certified CPST in your area who can assist. They can assist you in determining the best age for your child to turn around, as well as make sure they're riding properly and safely in their car seat.

Many parents think 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 number of things to take into consideration, including the size of your vehicle and your child's unique body shape. Many infant car seats come with built-in indicators that will let you know when your child's neck is no longer over the top of the seat. For more information about safe reclining, check your car seat manual and the owner's guide of your vehicle.