infant car seat newborn (
Internet Page) Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can be removed from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame for easy transport. This feature makes them popular with parents who plan to make frequent trips out of town.
Dress your baby in clothing so that the harness straps can comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips regardless of the car seat type you pick. The bulky clothing or blankets could hinder a secure harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats with rear-facing positions) are designed to hold newborns and children as high as the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. These car seats are usually equipped with an infant insert that ensures the head of a baby is securely in the seat shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that infants remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight or height limit of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in one car seats allow your child to remain rear-facing for longer, up to about age 4 or 5.
The majority of manufacturers have their car seats designed with an angle of reclining that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from sliding backwards when the car is stopped. You can either read the manual that comes with your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle, or view a YouTube video of an influencer of your car seat. Avoid putting your baby in heavy clothing, such as coats or blankets. They could impede an appropriate fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their chest and neck.
Many parents are reluctant to let their children change from a rear-facing position to a forward-facing one because they worry the impact force could eject the baby's feet and legs or that their neck and head might be thrown violently forward in a side impact. It's important to keep in mind that rear-facing provides a more protection than forward-facing.
A video by an influencer of car seats shows an
infant car seat cheap in a forward-facing car seat being tossed around violently in the crash simulator. The head injury that results is horrific. But the video of the same crash from the rear-facing car seat not nearly as horrific, because a child's head is in the car seat's shell.
If your state law requires you to turn your child to forward-facing do not follow it! This is not in accordance with the
best car seats for newborns practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should stay rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are made specifically for infants and newborns. Harnesses assist in securing them in the seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle, headrest and stroller attachments based on the model of car seat. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and the majority of kids will outgrow them long before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's understandable for parents to want to change their child's behavior whenever they can, the current standard mandates that children who are less than one year old of age must remain rear-facing in a car seat until they reach 20 pounds and one year old. This is because the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough for the whiplash of an rear-end collision, which is what happens when a child turns to the side in the event of a crash.
If a child is caught in a frontal crash the spinal cord could be stretched and torn which can cause paralysis or even death. If a child is seated backwards in a car the neck bones are held together and protected by the harness, which prevents this kind of injury.
In addition, infants facing the rear are less likely to be thrown into the back seat of the vehicle in an accident. They're also less likely to be injured by the seat belt that extends across their chests instead of their necks, in a collision.
With these risks in mind, it's vital parents adhere to car seat safety rules and ensure their child is in the right car seat for their height. Refer to the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer and the owner's manual of your vehicle before making a choice. It's recommended to visit a reputable car seat technician in your area for expert assistance and advice.
When a baby grows out of their car seat, he or she can change to convertible car seats. These seats start in the rear-facing direction and then switch to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster using lap-sash belts.
Convertible
Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible. Both have their benefits, but which one is the best for your family? A convertible car seat is an excellent option for a long-lasting infant car seat.
Convertible infant car seats convert from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. Based on the model, they can fit children from infancy to late elementary school. Some have higher weight and height limits in the rear position than car seats for infants, allowing them to last longer.
Check if the convertible car seat is equipped with removable newborn inserts to ensure a snug fit for your child. The firm padding raises the infant's torso, so they can fit into the smallest strap slots, and it pushes them forward a bit to stop their head from sliding back against the harness straps or the seat's crotch buckle (which puts them at risk for positional asphyxia).
Some infant car seats come with a handle that makes it easier to transfer between vehicles. Some can be plugged into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature lets you easily transfer from your car to a stroller without wake up your baby.
Eventually, though your child will outgrow their car seat for infants in the event of reaching their weight limit or their height limit. Most experts agree that it's the right time to transition to a convertible car seat when the head is within one inch of the top of the seat, but be sure to consult your seat's manual to ensure that your child is prepared.
While convertible car seats can seem more expensive upfront than car seats for infants but they can be more affordable in the long term because you'll be in a position to use them for a long time. Certain models also have lower anchors which allows for a simpler installation. This could help reduce the chance of injury in the event of a crash.
Safety Ratings
When you are shopping for an
infant car seat, safety should be the top priority. All infant car seats are required to comply with the safety standards set by the federal government. However some go above the minimum requirements to give parents additional security.
Premium features like anti-rebound bars as well as no-rethread adjustable harnesses can help to ensure that your child's safety is ensured. Load legs, which brace the base of the seat and reduce the force of the event of a crash, are also available.
Examining the crash test ratings and reviews of a baby car seat will help you determine the safety of the product before you purchase. It is important to keep in mind that the usage of a car seat for infants will determine how safe it is. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, most accidents that involve infant car seats are caused by negligence -- either incorrect installation or improper restraint of the childbut not the actual performance of the seat in a crash.
To be sure you're using a car seat for your infant correctly, choose one that has a clear instruction manual as well as plenty of indicators to show it's secure and level, including bubbles at the base which tell you EXACTLY where to position the seat. When installing the seat tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. The ratcheting sound that it makes when you tighten it is an excellent indication.
Finally, when you're out and about with your child in car seats, don't leave it unattended, even when you are just running into the shop or taking a short visit to the park. It's not just dangerous in a car crash and leaving your infant car seat or infant carrier on a hard surface can cause injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tip over or roll can cause injury or death to infants.
You will require a booster car seat at some time. To save money in the future consider an all-in-one or convertible car seat that offers you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.
