Rear-Facing Toddler in Britax Car Seat

At least 90% of children are improperly restrained in their car seats. Car accidents are the #1 killer of children in the US ages 1-14, and the #2 killer of infants in the US under age 1.

Most of the videos I have seen have been of children improperly restrained. So here are a few tips on how to secure your child in their seats, giving them the absolute best chance at surviving an accident.

"2 and 30" and is the new "1 and 20". The longer you can keep your child rear-facing, the safer they are. In an accident at 30mph, 130lbs of pressure is put on a forward facing child's spinal cord. If it stretches a mere 1/4 inch, you are looking at internal decapitation.

There have been no reported cases of a child breaking their legs because of extended RF. But even if that was a real possibility, would you rather your child have a broken leg, or a broken neck?

Harness straps need to be snug against the child. No loose slack. They should not be able to get their arms out of the straps. For a RF child, the straps need to be at or below shoulder level. For FF, they need to be at or above.

The chest clip retainer (its black, in this video) is designed to keep the shoulder straps in place in the event of a crash. In order to do that, it needs to be at armpit level.

For most car seats, you child has outgrown it by height RF when there is less than inch of hardshell above their heads. Check your manual.

Expired seats are deadly seats. Car seats expire after 6 years from date of manufacture. The plastic will break down over time, making it fragile and likely to crumble in an accident. The DOM is printed somewhere on the side of the seat.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Car
• seat
• carseat
• rear-facing
• britax
• boulevard
• toddler
• safe
• properly
• restrained

[spbindc]

Children should NOT wear coats when restrained in a car seat. It's tantamount to having the straps too loose.

[smalls181]

@spbindc Indeed.

[MysteeDawn]

I am just starting to hear more about keeping children rear facing, longer.. Does it have to do with height? age? are there any good detailed articles about it? I am due in 6 weeks with my first & i have a britax marathon that i plan on using once i dont feel like lugging the infant seat around anymore, lol.. I have a graco snugride 35 for an infant seat and though i love it, it weighs 12 lbs without the child in it! Great video, love the carseat and your daughter is adorbale! :-)

[smalls181]

@MysteeDawn Age is the most important thing when it comes to RF vs FF. Between the ages of 3-6 years is when the spinal column ossifies and can with stand crash forces without breaking.. If you can keep your child RF til age 3+ then awesome. Thats the goal to shoot for. With a Marathon and an average sized child, you should be able to make it to age 3 or even longer. It will depend mainly on torso height. RF seats are outgrown by height when there is less than an inch of shell above their head

[smalls181]

@MysteeDawn There are a lot of resources that explain ERF in detail. Unfortunately, I cannot post links in comments. Google search "extended rear facing" and just start reading. Sweden has been RF to age 4+ since the1960s and the most the lowest child-vehicle mortality rates. Now, every major child safety organization in the country recommends RF as long as possible. The seats currently available in the US will RF the average kid to age 4, considering both height and weight.

[smalls181]

@rockabillygirl77 Have you read any of the research on why it is so important to rear-face for as long as you can? In the first place, her legs were barely touching the back seat. But even when they were, she never complained about being uncomfortable. When she rides forward facing, her legs go up on her lap because having your feet dangling causes them to fall asleep. Either way, legs are bent. And finally, even if she was uncomfortable, I choose her safety over her comfort.

[katmagicate]

Break a leg, cast it. Break a neck, casket.

'Nuff said.

I love how she's so miserable and tired for the video! She's absolutely adorable!

My youngest is almost 23 months old. Still rear facing and will continue to rear face as long as possible. As long as she fits the car seat properly and safely, she will remain rear facing. I get a lot of "Oh! She's getting so big and old! Turning her around soon?" I simply respond nope, not turning her around any time soon ;)

[JMDMBM]

@spbindc When they say coats they mean the bubble coats not light sweaters. Hoodies and light sweaters are NOT included in this "rule".

[graygraysmama]

@smalls181 My 18 month old approximately 24 pounds and 31 inches tall automatically crosses his legs to be more comfy in his rear facing carseat. I hear the argument about legs being uncomfy or breaking on the back of the seat all the time and I am glad to see my child is not the only one who tucks his legs cross legged. He's got short legs and plenty of leg room but he still folds his legs once strapped in.

[surberlm]

@Philonius23 Well said.

[illicitaucks]

@rockabillygirl77 HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! I have heard some really ridiculous reasons NOT to rearface but that one just takes the cake!!! Children DO NOT suffer from this condition often if at all legs scrunched or not!

Special needs children HAVE to ride backwards because of the lack of neck strength....So do babies...and every child under 6 yrs.I must warn my daughters teacher at mat time she is at risk and not to cross her legs all the time!! LOL!