Rear Facing & Why?
Rear facing is the method in which a child's car seat is placed into the car facing the back window and is used in this manner. Rear facing is much safer to the child during an impact than forward facing, due to the way in which the child rides out the accident.
When a child is rear facing and an accident occurs the child's body moves into the back of the seat shell and the head, neck and spine are supported. In a forward facing accident the whole body is thrown forward from the seat. Massive forces are placed on the child's head, neck and spine.
During an impact the rear facing child slides up the back of the seat, and back down, into the seat in a swing like motion. Forces are reduced around the neck and spine because of this motion. Also the impact is evenly distributed across the car seat and the child, over the seat belt that restrains the child distributing the incoming forces uniformly and effectively across the child.
A sad tale to share, this is a real life event that happened to a family on Friday November 23, 2007. I was in an accident. We were driving home from my mother’s after visiting her for dinner the driver of the other car was also driving home after a day full of shopping. The other driver was very drowsy from being up so early and she veered into our lane on a curve and hit us head on. (6 year old child) was ok I can’t even tell you how grateful I am that you convinced me to put her in the *Regent it truly saved her life she didn't have anything physically wrong with her. Sadly (16 month old) did not make it, I wish I would have taken your advice to turn him rear facing again he was internally decapitated. His spine was stretched more then it could handle because of his head. I thought he was fine, I really did. I never really thought I would get into such a bad accident and he was well over a year and 20lbs (9kg) like they say. |
Proportionately a child's head is the largest part (25% of total size), with the average 3 years olds head weighs 2.7kgs.
Source: Little Treasures Dec'07/Jan'08 page 114
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| (left) Adult to toddler proportion comparison | |
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| (above) Each line represents 25% of total body size | |
Every infant needs to be rear facing. Traditionally children would be turned forward facing at 6 months. Plunket however recommend turning the child now once they are either 12 months old or 12kgs in weight. This has nothing to do with the infants ability to support their head, but more so the continuous rapid growth that occurs during the child's early childhood and the weight ratio of the child's head and neck to their body.
A car seat coming to New Zealand in 2008 (Brio Zento) will allow your child to be kept rear facing until 25kgs. According to Dr Paul.com children reach 25kgs around 5.5 to 10 years of age. So as long as your child fits and is under 25kgs they can be kept rear facing, as is common practice in Sweden.
The Brio Zento tethers when rear facing, and the straps do not cross the car seat, as they are tethered behind the car seat to the bottom of the vehicle seat directly in front of the car seat. The sides are low down so older children can get into and out of the seat easily. The seat also features an adjustable foot that works by increasing the angle of the seat back, and giving older children more leg room.
What about their legs? Wont they get squashed? Will they break in an accident? They have to turn forward when their legs touch the back seat, don't they?
These images show children ranging in age from newborn to around 3 years of age. They sit with their legs bent upwards (frog like) or crossed over (indian cross), they do not express discomfort and are happy to ride like this.
These images are provided by parents and caregivers on car-seat.org, please do not use them without permission from the owners. Please contact us for details - We do not permit these photos to be used without consent.
The car seats shown are American and may not be available in New Zealand. They are being used to illustrate how rear facing is perfectly safe for older children, as long as they are within the rear facing limits for their seat - as per the seat manual.
A note for Australian visitors - car seats that meet standards other than AS/NZS 1754 do not require the tether strap to be passed from the back of the seat to the back of the car when used in rear facing mode - this is a feature required on all Australian rear facing car seats only.
All Infant capsules must be used rear facing, this is safest position for all infants under 12kgs. No capsule is designed to be used front facing, nor are any designed to be used on a vehicle seat that faces the middle or back of the car.
Rear facing is not only designed for infants. Plunket recommends rear facing children until they are 12 months old or 1 year old. Children can also benefit from being rear facing longer.
If your child's car seat carries a child rear facing to 12kgs, then use it until rear facing until your child is 12kgs. Rear facing is said to be up to 70% safer than forward facing.
Children who touch the back of the seat with their legs are not in danger from broken legs, poor circulation nor are they going to do any long term damage to their development or walking skills.
If you are concerned that your child may become upset by not being able to see you remember that you can talk to your child. Some parents have even placed a photo of themselves on the back seat of the car for their infant to see. If you are worried that you cannot see your child you can purchase a rear view mirror to attach to your mirror that allows you to see your child.
Children riding in rear-facing infant car seats have the lowest risk of injury among all children, according to Partners for Child Passenger Safety.
Brio Car Seats |
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Facts about rear facing and the benefits |
*A sad tale to share. The Regent is an American car seat made by Britax. It harnesses children to 80lb (36kgs). 20lbs (9kgs) is the minimum weight to turn a child forward facing in some parts of the USA.