Car Seat Safety by Age: Rear-facing Car Seats for Babies

Car seat safety experts from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia provide tips to help you choose and install a car seat for your baby.
0:09 Why rear-facing car seats are safer for babies
0:43 Types of car seats: Rear-facing-only seats for babies
1:07 Types of car seats: Convertible car seats
1:39 How to install a car seat: Where do you put the car seat?
2:09 Finding the correct angle when you install a car seat
2:33 Should I use seat belt or lower anchors to install a car seat?
2:49 Installing a car seat using a seat belt
3:50 Checking for a tight fit on your car seat
4:23 Installing a car seating using lower anchors (LATCH)
5:11 Strapping your child into a car seat safely
5:53 No puffy jackets
6:21 Car seat safety checklist
6:40 Finding a free car seat fitting in your area
When you have a baby, a rear-facing car seat becomes one of the most important items in your life. A properly-installed rear-facing car seat dramatically reduces the risk of injury in a crash.
Because infants’ and toddlers’ heads are the heaviest part of their bodies, they can’t withstand a crash facing forward. During a head-on collision, a rear-facing seat will support your child’s head, neck and spine. The seat helps spread the force of the crash across the back.
Just having a car seat isn’t enough. You must install it correctly and buckle your child in correctly every single time.
This video reviews car seat safety basics for baby car seats and toddler car seats. It will show you how to install rear-facing-only car seats and convertible car seats in the safest way for your baby, and provide tips on how to safely strap your child in.
Topics: newborn car seat safety, infant car seat safety, toddler car seat safety