Why Forward-Facing Car Seat Could Be Lethal For Your Baby?

A car seat is one of the most important gear you purchase when you become a new parent. This is because it has the potential to actually save your child's life, and how else can you bring your baby back home from the hospital if not in a car seat?

However, you must ensure that the car seat you buy is rear-facing, not forward-facing. As per the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children should remain in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat. Previously, the guidelines were for children till the age 2, however, the latest recommendation removes any specific age milestone so parents would keep their child rear-facing longer, as long as their car seat weight and height allows them. This also ensures that the babies are put in front-facing car seats only when they know how to hold their heads up.

Why Front-face car seats could be lethal?

Children under the age of 2, or up until their height and weight allows must not be kept in the front-facing car seats, or if at all, it should only be for 2 hours, writes Dr Sermed Mezher, award-winning doctor and academic author in UK who makes health content on Instagram.

The reason is that extended time in a car seat can place strain on their developing spine and restrict their ability to move freely, which is important for their growth. Such a position could also "compress their chest and reduce oxygen levels, increasing the risk of breathing difficulties," he writes.

While car seats are designed for safety, they are not designed for prolonged use outside of car. To protect a child's health and development, parent should take breaks during long journeys, allowing the child to stretch, move, and change position.

How to get the right Car Seat for your baby?

There are two kinds of car seats for infants. They are the infant-only and convertible car seats.

The infant only car seat can be used when your baby weighs 20 to 22 pounds or their head is within 1 inch of the top of the seat. They are lighter in weight and are designed to be portable.

Many parents also prefer the convenience of an infant car seat because it can be removed from the car without having to unstrap and wake the baby when asleep. The base remains strapped into the vehicle and the carrier comes out of the base. Infant-only seats also click onto a stroller base.

Convertible are also an option, but they fit small newborns better. It is always best to opt for a rear-facing up until your child is big enough to hold their head high or at least 30 pounds and outgrows out of the rear-facing car seat.

What to do once you have bought the car seater?

Schedule an appointment with a certified child passenger safety technician who can safely install the car seat in your vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) maintains a directory of inspection stations to ensure that car seat is installed safely.

When fitting your baby in the car seat, ensure that harness straps fit on their body and use the lowest harness slot for a newborn infant. Ensure to keep the straps below your baby's shoulders for the rear-facing position.

Ensure your baby wears clothes that keep their leg free, and avoid any puffy, bulky or winter jackets when in car seat.