Rear Facing Child Safety Seat

Rear Facing Child Safety Seat – Instructions

Rear facing child safety seats help protect young children riding in vehicles. When used properly, they reduce the risk of death or serious injury in an accident. These seats are positioned so they face the back of the vehicle.

The following are best-practice recommendations for use of rear-facing child safety seats. Talk with your health care provider if your baby has a health condition and may need a specialized seat.

Who should use this type of seat?

Children should sit in a rear-facing safety seat with a harness if:

  • They are 2 years old or less.
  • They are less than the highest weight or height limit allowed by the manufacturer of their rear-facing car seat.

Children older than age 2 years may continue to sit in a rear-facing seat if they are less than the weight or height limit of the car seat.

What types of rear-facing seats are there?

There are three types of rear-facing seats:

  • Rear-facing infant-only seats. Children who are younger than one year should be seated in this type of seat. These seats usually have a carrying handle and they click into a base that is installed on the back car seat. Infant-only seats may only be used in a rear-facing position. The weight limit for these seats may be up to 40 lb (18 kg).
  • Convertible seats. These seats can be used in the rear-facing position until the child outgrows the weight or height limit of the seat. After the child reaches the weight or height limit, a convertible seat may be used in the forward-facing position. The weight limit for these seats may be up to 50 lb (23 kg).
  • 3-in-1 seats. These seats can be used as a rear-facing seat, a forward-facing seat, or a belt positioning booster seat. The weight limit for these seats may be up to 50 lb (23 kg).

How to use a rear-facing safety seat

Important information

  • Learn how to install and use these seats before your baby is born. Make sure to install the seat properly before your baby rides in your vehicle for the first time.
  • Use the seat as directed in the child safety seat instructions and the owner’s manual for your vehicle.
  • Replace a safety seat after a moderate or severe crash.
  • Do not use a safety seat that is damaged.
  • Do not use a safety seat that is more than 5 years old from the date of manufacturing.
  • Do not install a used safety seat if you do not know how old it is or whether it has ever been in a crash.
  • Do not place padding under your child or use any type of insert that did not come with the seat or was not made by the seat manufacturer.
  • As soon as your child reaches the weight or height limit of an infant-only seat, move your child to a convertible safety seat in the rear-facing position. A rear-facing convertible seat should be used until your child is 2 years of age, or until he or she reaches the weight or height limit of that safety seat.

Where to place the seat

  • In most vehicles, the safest spot to place the seat is in the rear seat of the vehicle. The center rear seat is best. In vans, the safest spot is the middle seat.

How to install the seat

  • Follow the installation instructions in the child safety seat instructions and the vehicle owner’s manual.
  • Choose only one method to install the car seat.
    • Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system. Review your vehicle’s owner manual to locate the anchors.
    • Lap belt only for rear, middle seats.
    • Lap and shoulder belt.
  • If using your vehicle’s seat belt system, always make sure the seat belt is locked and tightened.
  • Make sure the car seat does not move more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) from side to side or forward and backward after installation.
  • For a rear-facing infant-only safety seat:
    • Check the angle of a rear-facing infant-only car seat base before clicking the seat into the base. Babies should be in a semi-reclined position so their heads do not flop forward. This angle may need to be adjusted as your child grows.
    • Make sure the seat securely clicks into the base before you drive.
    • Position the carrying handle in the down position for driving.

How to secure your child in the seat

Place your child in the car seat and follow these instructions:

  1. Check that your child’s back is flat against the seat.
  2. Place the harness straps over your child’s shoulders. Make sure that the straps:
    1. Go through the slots at or below your child’s shoulders.
    1. Are not twisted.
  3. Buckle the harness and chest clip.
    1. The harness should be snug. You should not be able to pinch the strap at the shoulder.
    1. The chest clip should be at the level of your child’s armpits.
    1. Do not buckle your baby into the seat wearing bulky clothing or wrapped in a blanket. This will cause the straps to be loose. Dress your child in thin layers, buckle the straps, then place a coat or blanket over him or her.
  4. If there is a gap between your child and the buckle between his or her legs, use a rolled cloth or diaper to fill the space.

How do I know if my child has outgrown the seat?

Your child has outgrown the seat when he or she is over the weight or height limit allowed by the manufacturer of the seat. These are some other signs that your child may have outgrown the seat:

  • Your child’s shoulders are above the top of the harness slots.
  • Your child’s ears are at or above the top of the safety seat.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have any questions about which car seat is right for your child.

Summary

  • Rear-facing child safety seats help protect young children from injuries when riding in a vehicle.
  • Children should use a rear-facing safety seat until they are age 2 years or older, or until they have outgrown the upper weight or height limit of the seat.
  • In most vehicles, the safest spot to place the seat is in the rear seat of the vehicle. The center rear seat is best.
  • Carefully follow the installation instructions that came with the child safety seat instructions and the instructions in your vehicle owner’s manual.
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