How does a rear-facing seat protect a child?
Infants and young toddlers have large heavy heads, weak neck and shoulder muscles, soft, immature bones and soft brains (think the consistency of Jello in a jar), that are not fully developed or snugged into the skullcap. Injuries are caused by the transfer of energy into human tissue. During a crash, there is a tremendous amount of energy created Car seats are designed to safeguard the fragile brain and spinal cord and provide maximum protection during a crash by dissipating the energy. When a child is positioned rear-facing, the back of the car seat shell absorbs the energy from the crash and helps keep the head and back in straight alignment, allowing the child’s head and neck to be protected against the seat back. This helps prevent brain and spinal cord injury. Rear-facing children are also better protected during side-impact collisions, one of the most dangerous types of car crashes.
