Recently, we’ve been seeing a lot of parents choosing higher-riding car seats for their children. This is for a number of reasons, but one of the primary reasons is that these seats are safer. However, as with any purchase, there are always risks associated with it. In this blog post, we will discuss the max height for rear facing car seats and how you can choose the right one for your child. We will also discuss some of the factors you need to take into account when making your decision. Stay safe and choose the right car seat for your child!
What Is The Max Height for Rear Facing Car Seat
Rear facing car seats are designed to accommodate children from 4 to 80 pounds. While the harness and seat belt fit most children, larger ones may require a booster seat or an additional carseat. The highest weight limit for rear-facing car seats is 85 pounds. When buying a car seat, be sure to get the correct size for your child’s height, weight and age.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that rear-facing car seats remain in use until children reach the height of 36 inches or they weight 40 pounds. Once your child reaches this maximum height/weight limit, they should ride in an appropriate forward-facing car seat until they reach the required age or weight for a rear-facing car seat.
When shopping for a rear-facing car seat, make sure to consider factors such as:
1. Style – Some styles have extra padding while others are more streamlined and fit more easily into the vehicle’s dashboard area.
2. Weight – Rear-facing seats tend to be lighter than forward-facing seats making them easier and faster to install in the vehicle.
3. Height – Rear facing seats typically adjust from about 22 inches (55 cm) up to 57 inches (145 cm).
What Are The Risks Associated With Not using a Rear Facing Car Seat
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children use rear-facing car seats until they reach the height or weight restriction for their seat, which is typically about 4 feet 9 inches tall. But what are the risks associated with not using a rear-facing car seat?
One potential risk is that a child could be ejected from the car if the seatbelt fails and the child is in an unrestrained position. Ejection injuries can occur when a child’s head strikes something inside or outside of the vehicle, such as a window or another object. In some cases, internal organs may be injured as well. A child who is ejected from a car seat can suffer serious head and spinal cord injuries.
Another risk associated with not using a rear-facing car seat is that it can increase the chance of injury in a crash. Children placed in rear-facing car seats are more likely to survive crashes than those who are not restrained. However, even children wearing correctly fitted lap and shoulder belts have been known to die in frontal crashes while unrestrained. Rear-facing infants also tend to be more heavily impacted in collisions than younger children seated forward facing, which may increase their risk of death.
In order to reduce these risks, AAP strongly recommends that all children use rear-facing car seats until they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall or weigh 50 pounds or more.
What Are The Benefits of Using a Rear Facing Car Seat
If you’re planning to have a child in your car, it’s important to pick the right rear facing car seat. Rear facing seats are designed to protect children from forward-facing crashes and can give them the best possible safety record. Here are some of the benefits of using a rear facing car seat:
-Your child will be safer in a rear facing car seat than in any other position. Forward-facing seats put your child in a position where they’re more likely to be ejected from the vehicle in a crash.
-Rear facing cars seats offer better protection for the spine and neck since they’re positioned lower down on the body. This means that your child is less likely to suffer serious injury if there is a crash.
-A properly fitted rear facing car seat reduces strain on both your arm and your back when you’re driving. It also helps keep baby comfortable during long drives.
How To Determine If Your Child is Ready to Use A Rear Facing Car Seat
Parents should determine if their child is ready to use a rear facing car seat based on their height and weight. Rear facing car seats are designed for children between the ages of 1 and 4 years old. Children should not ride in a rear facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight allowed by the car seat manufacturer. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children not exceed the height or weight limit by more than 2 inches, or 10 percent of their body weight, whichever is smaller.
There are several ways to measure your child’s height and weight. One way is to use a measuring tape to measure your child from head to toe and then multiply that number by 2. Another way is to take your child’s height in inches, divide that number by 30, and round up to the nearest whole number. To calculate your child’s weight in pounds, subtract 10 from your child’s weight in kilograms, divide that number by 2, and round up to the nearest whole number.
Once parents have determined their child’s height and weight limit, they can begin to look for a rear facing car seat that will fit them properly. There are several factors parents should consider when selecting a car seat: the type of car seat belt system; whether or not the car seat has an Latch system; whether or not it has a convertible feature; how easy it is to get into and out of; whether or not it has a storage area for toys; and whether or not it has a sun visor.
Conclusion
The max height for a rear-facing car seat is typically between 22 and 24 inches tall. Many parents choose a car seat that is within this range in order to ensure their child has the best chance of being safe during an accident. If you are taller than 24 inches, consider choosing a convertible car seat or an infant carrier that can be used as a rear-facing car seat.