Rear-facing car seats are the safest option for infants and toddlers, and for a good reason. Rear-facing seats protect infants’ heads and necks from hitting the dashboard or floor in a crash. They also reduce the risk of suffocating due to entrapment by the seat belt. Why are they so safe? It all comes down to how children are positioned in rear-facing seats. Infants are positioned in a position that allows their heads, shoulders, and torso to rest against the seat back. This limits their movement and keeps them as safe as possible during a crash. If you’re looking to buy a car seat for your child, be sure to think about which mode is best for them. For more information on rear-facing car seats, read this blog post.
What Is A Rear Facing Car Seat?
A rear facing car seat is a car seat that faces the rear of the vehicle. Rear facing seats are recommended for children who are between 2 and 4 years old, and their LATCH connectors should be at the middle or lower anchors to ensure a secure fit in the car. Rear facing seats can provide more protection in a crash than forward-facing seats, as they’ll distribute the force of an accident more evenly across the child’s body. However, rear facing seats also require extra room in the backseat, and some models feature larger sides and backs than forward-facing seats to accommodate this.
Types of Rear Facing Car Seats
There are a few different types of rear facing car seats that parents can choose from. The two most popular types are the convertible and the harness/type A seat.
A convertible car seat is a seat that can be converted from a forward-facing car seat to a rear-facing car seat. It has two straps that fit over the child’s shoulder and waist, and then the lap belt slips over these straps. This type of seat is good for children who are between 4 and 8 years old, as it provides good protection in a crash.
A harness/type A car seat is designed for older children or adults. It has three straps – one across the child’s chest, one across the child’s back, and one around their waist – instead of two straps on a convertible car seat. The belt fits over these straps instead of slipping over them, making this type of seat easier to put on and take off. Harness/type A seats are good for children who are between 9 and 18 years old, as they provide more protection in a crash than a convertible car seat does.
How to Choose the Right Rear Facing Car Seat for Your Child
When it comes to car seats, there’s a lot to consider. But which one is right for your child? Rear facing car seats are recommended for children up to age 2 or until their height reaches 40 inches.
Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting a rear facing car seat:
1. Age and Size. Older children will outgrow their rear-facing car seat faster than younger ones, so it’s important to decide on a suitable age range early on. The weight and size of the child also affects which car seat is best – the heavier the child, the more secure the seat should be.
2. Your Child’s Gender and Body Type. Girls typically grow more slowly than boys and may not outgrow their car seats until they are 4 or 5 years old, while boys can sometimes outgrow their rear-facing seats by 1 year old. Children with larger bodies tend to need higher-grade safety seats that extend further forward in order to fit them properly.
3. The Car You’ll Use It In. Make sure your chosen car seat will fit into the vehicle you intend to use it in – some models only fit certain types of cars. Also, check that the car seat will adjust to different sizes of vehicles – many have adjustable headrests and straps that make them compatible with most makes and models of cars.
The Benefits of a Rear Facing Car Seat
Children are safer when they’re rear facing. In a forward-facing car seat, the child’s head and upper body is trapped between the seat and the car’s roof. This increases the risk of serious injury in a crash.
Rear-facing car seats protect children by placing their heads and upper bodies behind the safety belts, which restrain them in a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that children who are rear facing have a 40 percent lower risk of dying in a crash than those who are forward facing. They also have a 60 percent lower risk of major injuries, including head and spinal cord injuries.
A rear-facing car seat is also easier for parents to get into and out of the car. It requires less space in the front seat than a forward-facing car seat, making it more feasible to use for smaller vehicles or those with limited storage space.
Some parents choose to switch their child from a forward-facing to a rear-facing car seat at certain points during their development, based on the child’s height, weight and age. Children should always be transferred from one type of car seat to another according to NHTSA guidelines.
What To Do If Your Child Is Not Properly Rested in a Rearfacing Car Seat
There are several things you can do when your child is not properly rested in a rear facing car seat. First, be sure that your child is fully awake and alert before getting them into the car seat. If they are drowsy or lethargic, this may make it difficult for them to remain seated in the car seat. Next, try rotating the car seat around so that your child’s head and torso are facing outwards. This will help improve their blood flow and allow them to get more rest. Additionally, try taking short naps during the day instead of full sleep periods in the car seat. Finally, keep an eye on your child throughout their journey in the car seat- if they seem restless or uncomfortable, take them out of the car seat as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Rear facing car seats are a vital part of every family’s car safety arsenal. They offer babies and toddlers the optimum protection from fatal injuries in a crash, as well as preventing serious spinal cord injuries. Despite this, rear-facing car seats are not always the most comfortable option for parents. In this article, we will discuss some of the pros and cons of rear-facing vs forward-facing car seats, and help you make an informed decision about which type is best for your family.