Rear Facing Infant Car Seat

A rear-facing infant seat absorbs the force of a collision in a crash and shields your child's neck and head. In a crash, they also prevent your child's legs from hitting the front of the car seat. This can cause serious injuries, or even death.

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

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

A rear-facing infant car seat is a kind of child seat that is only rearward-facing position. These seats are designed to accommodate infants and small children usually up to 35 pounds. The base of these seats is narrower than that of other car seats. This makes them perfect for small vehicles and can help save space in the back seat. The majority of infant car seats can also be transformed into strollers, making the journey of a child easier.

Preemies and newborns born before 37 weeks of gestation are advised to use rear-facing best infant seat car seats. They provide more space and more comfort than standard car seats, which can be difficult for a very small baby to get in and out of. 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 reach their maximum weight and height for car seats or at around two years old. This is due to the fact that rear-facing provides more time for the spine of the child to develop strength in this position, which can help prevent injuries to the spine. Additionally, it's important to note that infants and younger children are more prone to suffering severe injuries in front-facing crashes.

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. If a child is sitting in a seat that is facing forward, their heads can be thrown into the dashboard or console of the vehicle, causing serious injury.

Many parents believe that their child is ready for the transition to a booster seat or forward-facing car seat at around two years old. But this is a major mistake. Recent research published in BMJ injury prevention have shown that it is better for children to remain rear-facing in their car seats until the age of three or four. The longer a child stays rear-facing, the more cervical vertebrae grow and ossify.

They are easy to install and take down.

Most rear-facing infant car seats have a snap-on base which can be removed from your vehicle when not in use. This feature is practical and lets parents ensure their child is in the seat without needing to leave the vehicle, particularly during stormy weather or at night when it can be difficult. It also makes it easy to change vehicles and allows grandparents and other caregivers access to the child's seat.

If your child has outgrown their infant car seat either in terms of height or weight then it's time to upgrade to a convertible or booster. It is important to keep in mind that children are safer when they ride rear-facing 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 limit that is set by the car seat manufacturer.

In a frontal crash a baby riding rear-facing in a car seat absorbs the majority of the impact forces in a crash by absorbing them around their head, neck, and spine. When a child is rear-facing in a car seat the force of crashing may cause their head to be thrown forward causing serious injury or even death.

If you are concerned about your child's safety when facing backwards, keep them warm with blankets. Avoid placing a loose blanket behind or under them. Be cautious not to dress them in bulky outerwear as this could interfere with the tightness and fitting of the harness. Also, ensure that the chest clip lies flat against their shoulders and that the harness straps are snug with no looseness.

Many experts in child safety believe that if children are in rear-facing car seats for longer and are five times safer in the event of a crash. This is because during a crash, children head-on are huge for their bodies - could be thrown forward by force that could otherwise be taken up by their torsos and necks. Seats that face the rear cushion the child's head and protect them from serious injuries.

They protect your child's head and neck.

In the case 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. In a frontal crash (the most common) infants who are in forward-facing car seats are being thrown against the dashboard. This can result in neck injuries, or even death. Infants in rear-facing seats are held by the back of their car seats, and their heads are cushioned and supported by the headrest.

Infants also have a significantly easier breathing process when placed in a rear-facing seat since their chins are placed against their chest. In forward-facing car seats the chin can be pushed down, which can make it difficult for children to breathe. In fact, children who lie down in a forward-facing car seat are 75% more likely to suffer head injuries than those who lie down in a rear-facing car seat.

Another important factor to consider is that the brain and spine are still developing, making them more susceptible in the event of a crash. In a forward-facing crash the head of an infant car seat that swivels could strike the dashboard or buckle of the seat belt and this can stretch their spinal cord, causing serious injury or death. It is crucial to keep your infant in a rearward-facing car seat until they reach the weight and height limit of their car seat.

Some infant car seats come with an insert specifically designed to support the baby's head. When a child is no longer using the insert, it can be removed. Some car seats also come with anti-rebound bars or load leg features that absorb impact of a collision. This is important since it lessens the impact on your child and could keep them from being thrown from their seat.

NHTSA recommends keeping your child in the rear-facing infant seat until they reach the weight and height limit of their car seat. When they do it, they should be moved to a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat which can be used rear facing and then converted to forward facing as they grow.

Rugs are easy to clean.

All car seats, no matter if they are convertibles or all-in one car seats, can be removed quickly and easily. Often, they can also snap directly into frame strollers and travel systems for on-the-go errands making life much easier! These seats are simple to clean. Many come with machine-washable covers as well as parts that are removable and can be cleaned in the washing machine and dryer. This is essential, particularly when you have children who are messy.

The position that is rear facing can protect a child's head and neck in the event of a crash crucial for children who are just starting out. Their heads are stuffed full of cartilage and their spinal cords are more flexible than adults. In the event of a crash, their head could be slammed backwards and stretch their spinal cords, resulting in severe injuries. Many experts in car safety recommend that children remain rear-facing for as long as possible.

Although it's tempting to put your child to booster seats when they seem ready, each front-facing car seat switch reduces the amount of protection they'll have in the event of a collision. In a frontal collision, the child's head will be thrown 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 not sure if your child is ready 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 moment when your child is ready to change seats and ensure that they're riding safely in their car seat.

Many parents think that their child is no longer a baby car seat for newborn seat (see) when they reach their maximum rear-facing weight or height limit. But there are a variety of factors to consider in addition to the size of your car and your child's unique body shape. A lot of infant car seats have built-in recline indicators which tell you when your child's head is no longer extending past the top of their seat. Check your car seat instructions and vehicle owner's manual for more details on safe recline.