plaineditor09

Keep Your Child in an Infant Car Seat Rear Facing Keep your child in an infant car seat facing rearwards is the most secure option. Children should only be able to switch to an forward-facing car seat when they reach the weight and height limitations of their current car seat. Remember that the body paragraphs are organized like the hamburger. The introduction and conclusion sentences are the top and bottom buns. The main points of the essay are the body paragraphs supporting it. best car seats for newborns uk www.pushchairsandprams.uk Using an infant car seat rear facing is the most secure option for infants and newborns due to the way it holds and supports their head and neck. “Since their spines aren't been ossified yet, it's vital to keep the force of a crash off their necks and heads” explains Purva Grover, MD, director of Cleveland Clinic Children's Pediatric Emergency Departments. In a frontal crash the baby's head could strike the seat in front of them, creating whiplash that could be fatal or even fatal. However, with a rear-facing car seat, the impact is taken up by the seat, and dissipated by the back of the vehicle. “It's like a hug,” says Adele. The legs of the child can be placed in the car seat to protect them from being thrown against the rear of the seat or any other surface of the vehicle. “This keeps them from crashing into their own body, which could cause internal injuries,” she explains. Many parents are against ERF because they are afraid that their child will be bored or uncomfortable. Neither has been true for my son, Lukas. In fact Lukas prefers to ride rear-facing since the recline feature allows him to cross his legs and read a book or watch tv. If you do have a child that is hesitant to sit in a rear-facing seat because of leg length or other reasons, try to convince them that it's the most secure method of travel for them. Explain that they are able to stay in their convertible or all-in-one seats provided they don't exceed the height and weight limits set by the manufacturer of the seat. Be sure to secure your child in a rear-facing car seat with the lower anchor system of the vehicle or a seat belt. Don't let them wear bulky clothing, such as winter coats as they can be compressed in the event of a crash and cause the harness straps to loosen and put your child at risk of injuries. Make sure to use the Pinch Test when fitting your child's harness. Convenience Many parents prefer to keep infant car seats rear-facing as long as possible because they are easier to use and more mobile than convertible car seats. If you decide to keep your child rear-facing, they may require being placed in a crib or a bassinet at nap or at bedtime. This could mean waking the baby who was sleeping which isn't optimal. The safety advantages of rear-facing overshadow this inconvenience, but. Preemies and newborns are smaller than full-term infants, so the headrest of their car seats is lower. This reduces the impact of an accident and ensures that the chest clip on the harness is at the shoulders, not at the neck. This is especially crucial for premature babies who have weaker bones, and aren't ossified due to pregnancy or birth. The position that faces the rear lets you observe your baby more clearly than a forward-facing position. This allows you to easily monitor their behavior and ensure they are happy and comfortable. Most infant car seats have built-in mirrors that can be adjusted so you can see your child at any angle. You can use a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to keep your child rear-facing until they reach their recommended weight or height limit. Some have rear-facing limits that are higher than rear-only car seats that allow them to be used for longer. Convertible or all-in-one car seats are known for their flexibility. They can be used rear-facing, forward-facing or as belt positioning boosters. They are also simpler to install and remove because they have a large base at the back of your car. These seats are more expensive than infant car seats that can be used only once, but they'll last longer and will save you money over the course of time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ride rear-facing to the maximum height and weight limit allowed by their car seat manufacturer or until they reach at minimum two years old. Many children outgrow their rear-facing infant car seat before age two, but don't be tempted to switch them around earlier — it's safer to wait. Weight Limits All baby car seats have weight and height limits you need to keep in mind. The majority have a maximum weight of 30 to 35 pounds and a height limit of around 30 inches or so, depending on the model. When your child has reached the limit, you are able to proceed to the next level of safety. You can either choose a convertible seat that permits your child to sit rear-facing or forward-facing or an all-in one car seat. There are other aspects aside from the weight and height limit that can indicate whether your child is able to move up a stage in a car seat. One of these is their level of comfort when riding rear-facing. You can observe these signs in your child's behavior and compare it to other children of the same age in their car seats. You can also ask for help from certified child passenger safety experts at a car seat inspection station which are often operated by local government agencies or community organizations. It is best to keep your infant rear-facing as long as you can. This is why many parents wait until their children are fully mature before they switch them over. You can avoid this temptation if you make sure that your child's car seats is installed correctly and doesn't switch them to a front-facing seat before they're ready even if their weight or height is near the limits of their existing seat. If you're unsure whether your child is ready to move on to the next stage in their car seat or you're worried that you may not be installing their current car seat in a correct manner Contact an accredited child safety technician. They are available through community organizations, local government offices and child passenger safety programs. You can search online for a specialist near you, or contact your local public safety agency or health department. Mobile car seat check-in events can be held at your home or office to ensure that you have the correct equipment and that you are using them correctly. Installation Installing a car seat correctly is vital to ensure its safety. The NHTSA reports, sadly, that more than half of car seats are set up incorrectly. This includes rear-facing seats. The best way to ensure that your infant car seat is properly installed is to read the manual and have it professionally checked by a certified car safety technician. The first step in installing an infant rear facing car seat is to determine the angle. Make sure that the base of the car seat is set at a suitable angle to support the weight of your child and height. You can check this on the the base of the car seat base or in the user manual. Also, ensure that the head of your baby is positioned correctly in the seat. Babies have large heads and soft necks and the forward-facing position could put pressure on their neck and spine in a crash. In a rear-facing collision, the car seat's back absorbs most of the crash force, which shields the baby's delicate neck as well as spinal cord. When your child is at the limit of weight or height of the infant car seat, it's time to move over to a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat. These can be used in a rear-facing orientation to the front-facing limit. If you decide to switch to a convertible or all-in-one car seat, make sure that the new model has a greater rearward-facing limit. Older models have lower limits. If you opt for an infant car seat that can be removed from the car and then reattached to a stroller, this is a great choice for parents who wish to get their infants in and out of the car regularly. The only drawback is that it can be a hassle and time-consuming to maneuver the stroller and car seat into and out of your vehicle every time, especially for infants. However, if you are willing to invest the extra time each time to get it done, this could be a good alternative for many families. Be sure to plan ahead, and choose the day that you have plenty of time spare.