Why rear-facing car seats are safer for infants and toddlers?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants ride rear-facing starting with their first trip home from the hospital. This is because it allows them to maintain a good head-to-body position and provides protection against diagonal collisions in case there’s an accident. Most Convertible seats have limits which mean children can remain seated comfortably until they reach 2 years or more based on weight requirements set by manufacturer specifications, but when this happens you’ll need a car seat Consumers’ Products Safety Testing Lab (CPSST) installation help so as not miss any important details about how your child should be nurtured while traveling abroad.

Three types of rear-facing seats on the market:

Rear-facing only, convertible, and all-in-one. When your child reaches the highest weight or length allowed by the manufacturer for their particular type you should put them on another protective device that suits best according to as they grow older until 12 years old at least before switching to adult size vehicle

Rear-facing–only seats

• It is suitable for children from  22 to 35 pounds or 1 to 5 years old and helps them stay safely in their car seats.
• Are rather small and have carrying handles.
• The best thing about these seats is that they come with a base, which can be left in your car. The seat itself clicks into and out of this form-fitting enclosure so you don’t have to install it each time you won’t use the extra seating capacity! Plus parents may end up having more than one for their additional vehicles – making sure everyone has access without any hassle or trouble at all.
• The car seat should be used only for children’s travel (not feeding, sleeping, or any other use outside of the vehicle).

Convertible seats (used rear-facing)

• You can use a convertible seat rear-facing and, later on in life for your children when they outgrow the weight limit or length restrictions of these seats. A lot bulkier than infant car seats but still compact enough so you don’t have trouble storing it away! These types do not come with carrying handles nor separate bases which means that this type will need placement inside any vehicle’s glove compartment where necessary accessories were kept before installation was completed. 
• Convertible car seats offer a great way to keep your little one safe and comfortable during different stages of life. These vehicles have higher limits in rear-facing weight (up until 40–50 pounds) as well height restrictions for babies or toddlers who are still growing, making them ideal over regular old-fashioned harnesses.
• The car seat has a 5-point harness that attaches at the shoulders, hips, and between your child’s legs.
• It is important to note that this should only be used for a child’s travel (not sleeping, feeding, or any other use outside of the vehicle).

All-in-one seats (used rear-facing)

• You can use this seat in three different ways: rear-facing, forward-facing, or as a belt-positioning booster. This means that the child may ride longer by their age and height because it’s so adjustable.
• It’s important to make sure the car seat is big enough for your child while they are rear-faced. This can be tricky with smaller cars, so check first.
• All-in-one car seats can be a great choice for parents who want the convenience of an integrated system. These are typically best suited to larger babies and toddlers since they have higher weight limits in both rear-facing positions as well as height requirements before being eligible (upwards of 40 pounds).

What are some tips for installing rear-facing seats in a car?

To ensure the safety of your family, it’s important that you read both the manual and consult with a professional before installing any car seat.

When using a rear-facing seat, follow these tips to ensure your baby’s safety and comfort:

• When installing the harnesses, make sure they are in a slot at or below your child’s shoulders.
• The harness should feel snug, but not too tight. You cannot pinch any slack between your fingers when testing the straps over children’s shoulders and centers of the chest area where they’re most comfortable for them to breathe in properly – right around their armpits or just below it if you prefer less restriction on movement there too.
• To make sure that your car’s safety seat is installed tightly, either use lower anchors or a locked belt. If it has an integrated lock-off for this purpose then follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how best to utilize them in order to achieve maximum protection against injury during unforeseen circumstances such as accidents.
• The front passenger airbag deploys with great force, so never place a rear-facing car seat in this position. If it ignites there’s no protection for your child as they would get hit right on the head and could sustain serious injury or even die.
• When using a rear-facing convertible or all-in-one seat, make sure the belt travels through your child’s neck and shoulder blades. The auto manufacturer instructions will tell you how to correctly route this vital safety device for proper operation.
• When you’re installing a new car seat, it’s important that the angle of the headrest match what your child needs. Rear-facing seats have built-in recline indicators on them to make sure they are at just the right angles for proper development.
• However, before installing the car safety seat make sure that it will not contact any part of your backseat. You’ll also want to check in with both yourself and other drivers on whether they are okay with your installation – if there is no consent then installers should be contacted immediately.
• If you need more information or if the task seems overwhelming, check with a certified CPST near your area. See page 16 for instructions on how to find one in your region and get installation assistance as well- it might be easier than tackling this whole project alone at first glance since they’re experts who know exactly what will happen next (and can tell whether other problems exist).

Common Questions:

What if your child’s feet touch the back of a vehicle seat?

• This is a question that often causes parents to fret, but there’s no need for concern. children can always find their positions in the rear-facing seats and injuries are rare when they’re facing backward. In fact, this type of accident has never killed or injured any child who was seated properly before.

​​What do I do if the kid slouches to the side or down in the car seat?

• In an effort to prevent slouching, you can try using a receiving blanket or cloth between your child’s legs and the strap. You may also need it if their diapers don’t keep them from bending over too far when sitting in car seats; some manufacturers allow for this use of extra padding under ones’ bottom while others do not recommend any additions being placed behind someone who would rather have more room up front due-to different body shapes/sizes.

Why is it important to dress the child in thinner layers of clothing before strapping her or him into the car safety seat?

• In the event of a crash, bulky clothing can make it difficult for your child’s safety belt to work properly. This is why we recommend dressing babies in thin layers and wrapping them with blankets or coats before installing any car seats – this will help keep them warm during winter months while also reducing greatly chances that they’ll get hurt from being restrained by loose harnesses straps.

Is there a special car seat for preemies and do they need them? 

A safety belt should be approved to fit your baby’s weight. Very small babies who can sit safely in semi-reclined positions usually work better with rear-facing-only seats, but some may need age-appropriate booster pillows or modifications so check before you buy! Babies born prematurely often need protection from injury even if they’re able enough right away because their muscles haven’t developed fully yet and putting them forward onto an adult size bucket will put pressure on weak areas like arms/legs etc.

Source: 

• Rear-Facing Car Seats for Infants & Toddlers https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Rear-Facing-Car-Seats-for-Infants-Toddlers.aspx Adapted from Car Safety Seats Guide (Copyright © 2021 American Academy of Pediatrics)

The information on this site is not a substitute for medical care and advice from your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that he or she recommends based on individual facts, circumstances or personal preference you have as an adult who is now taking responsibility of caring for another life stage alongside their own childhoods!