For infants younger than 1 year, which car seat practice is correct?

For infants younger than 1 year, which car seat practice is correct?

• A. Front-facing car seat.
• B. Booster seat.
• C. Rear-facing car seat.
• D. No car seat.

Answer: (C)

Infants younger than 1 year belong in a rear-facing car seat. This position better protects the head, neck, and spine during a crash by cradling them and distributing crash forces along the back of the seat rather than concentrating them on the neck. The head of an infant is proportionally large and the neck muscles are immature, so a rear-facing setup reduces the risk of serious injury if a collision occurs. Front-facing seats, booster seats, or riding without a car seat do not provide the same level of protection for an infant, and the car seat guidelines emphasize keeping the infant rear-facing until at least 1 year and as long as the seat’s weight/height limits allow. Always install the seat correctly and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for angle and harness placement.

Infants younger than 1 year belong in a rear-facing car seat. This position better protects the head, neck, and spine during a crash by cradling them and distributing crash forces along the back of the seat rather than concentrating them on the neck. The head of an infant is proportionally large and the neck muscles are immature, so a rear-facing setup reduces the risk of serious injury if a collision occurs. Front-facing seats, booster seats, or riding without a car seat do not provide the same level of protection for an infant, and the car seat guidelines emphasize keeping the infant rear-facing until at least 1 year and as long as the seat’s weight/height limits allow. Always install the seat correctly and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for angle and harness placement.