Parents on TikTok are employing the technique of "pre-folding" their toddlers before placing them in car seats. This method, showcased in a viral video featuring Lauren (@laurarbs1) struggling to secure her 17-month-old son, Emmett, has garnered attention.
Parents Are 'Pre-folding' Their Toddlers for Car Rides
Commenters offered advice, highlighting the effectiveness of "pre-folding." Lauren herself tested the hack successfully, folding her son and sliding him into the car seat with ease.
Despite being a mother of three, Lauren admitted she was unaware this method was recognized, though she had been using it for years.
In addition to "pre-folding," Lauren also utilizes other distractions like toys, snacks, or songs to ease her son's transition into the car seat, aligning with expert recommendations.
Genevieve Rivera, executive director for the non-profit American Society for the Positive Care of Children, suggests various strategies to make car rides enjoyable for children.
Assuring proper restraint in car seats is essential, given the statistics showing car accidents as a leading cause of child fatality. According to the CDC, proper car seat usage can essentially lessen the danger of serious injuries in crashes.
Car Seats Essential for Child's Safety
In 2019, car accidents emerged as a primary cause of fatalities among children under 12, as highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Statistics from the CDC further emphasize that employing car seats can diminish the risk of injury during a collision by 71% to 82%.
Undoubtedly, being secured in a car seat, even if from the trunk, substantially enhances safety compared to being unrestrained.
However, ensuring optimal protection entails using the car seat correctly, including how the child is buckled in. Concerns arise regarding the safety implications of securing a child from a reclined position.
Despite the popularity of certain suggestions on platforms like TikTok, it's prudent to seek insights from experts.
Experts Advise on the Importance of Car Seat
Sheena Hill, a child passenger safety technician (CPST) with over a decade of experience, advises against such practices, emphasizing that they deviate from the intended design and testing of the product.
She underscores potential risks associated with insecure installation and disruptions to seat fit caused by bouncing movements. Furthermore, Hill questions the feasibility of ensuring correct harness positioning from that angle and urges caution regarding back seat reclining.
To ensure optimum safety, reclining should adhere to levels conducive to effective belt fit for adult passengers, avoiding excessive recline that compromises safety.
Indeed, getting children, especially toddlers, into car seats can pose challenges, with some exhibiting restlessness or resistance to restraint. Hence, making the process enjoyable is enticing for both parents and children alike.
Genevieve Rivera, executive director of the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, suggests safer alternatives such as incorporating enjoyable activities like reading, playing special songs, or providing car-specific toys or snacks.
Other suggestions include singing nursery rhymes, using star charts for motivation, or offering incentives for compliance during seat entry.
While car seats come with manuals outlining safety guidelines, some parents may seek additional reassurance regarding adherence to best practices.
Hill recommends engaging with organizations like Safe Kids to connect with local CPSTs who can offer guidance on proper car seat usage.
Given the evolving landscape of child passenger safety, staying abreast of updates can be challenging for non-professionals. Therefore, seeking assistance from certified experts ensures adherence to current safety standards.
While unconventional methods like reclined trunk seating may initially facilitate compliance, they raise significant safety concerns.
Therefore, while efforts to make car rides enjoyable for children are commendable, compromising the effectiveness of car seats for added convenience is unwarranted.
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