"Keeping a premature or a newborn baby in the upright position may decrease oxygen saturation level in the baby that may cause brain abnormalities or respiratory problems which may lead to certain diseases in his or her development."
Merchant et al., An American medical joural, Pediatrics, Vol 108 No3, September 2001 P647-P652. Bass et al., An Amercan medical journal, Pediatrics Vol 114, September 2004 P805-P816.
The quote above is from Aprica, a Japanese company, who for years has been making and distributing the Euro Turn car seat. This revolutionary seat has a "fully reclining backrest that guarantees newborns a completely flat resting surface". It features a rotating and reclining seat, adaptable front or rear facing options, innovative head and neck protection, optimum temperature control, and is suitable from newborn to 18kg (40lbs). In addition, "crash tests results show that in the event of a collision, the new flat car seat gives babies greater protection than conventional (upright) seats" (see video).
The Euro Turn has gained popularity throughout Europe (where numerous companies are now making fully reclined infant car seats) and the United States. Heath Canada however, refuses to acknowledge the car seat due to its unconventional design. This begs the questions, is Canada falling behind in child safety regulations? We believe it is high time the Canadian government acknowledges this growing body of research and encourages the development of safer Canadian-made infant car seats. Seats that allow newborn babies to ride safely in a fully reclined position.
