Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
The majority of infant car seats be removed from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them popular with parents who intend to frequently travel out of town.
Regardless of which type of car seat you pick make sure your child is dressed in clothes that allow the harness straps to fit comfortably over their hips and shoulders. Large blankets or clothing can interfere with a snug harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, referred to as convertible car seats with an inclination to the rear are designed to fit infants and children of a smaller size as long as they meet the weight and height limit specified by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert that ensures the head of a baby is securely in the shell of the seat.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that infants ride rear-facing until they reach their weight or height limits for car seats or the weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your child to remain rear-facing for longer, until around age 4 or 5.
The majority of manufacturers design their car seats with an angle of reclining that can be adjusted to keep the baby's head from sliding backwards when the car is stopped. You can refer to the manual for your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle, or view a video made by a car seat influencer. Avoid putting your infant in bulky clothing such as coats or blankets. They could impede an ideal fit of the harness and block airflow around their necks and chests.
Many parents aren't comfortable switching their child from a rear-facing position to forward-facing. They fear that the force of the crash may throw their child's legs or feet, or that their neck and head could be hurled forward violently in an accident that is side-to-side. It's important to keep in mind that rear-facing provides a much greater level of protection than forward-facing.
A video from a car seat influencer shows a child in the forward-facing car seat being violently tossed around in the crash simulation. The head injury that occurs is terrifying. But the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat is not nearly as horrific, because a child's head is held in the car seat's shell.
If your state requires you to put your child in the opposite direction, do not follow it. This is not in line with the best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should stay rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or height for the car seat.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are designed to protect infants and newborns with harnesses that keep them in the car seat. Parents may be able adjust the headrest, recline angle and stroller attachments based on the type of car seat. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and a majority of children will outgrow them before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's understandable for parents to are eager to change their child's behavior as soon as possible The current law requires that children under one year of age must remain rear-facing in car seats until they reach 20 pounds and one year old. This is because infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough to withstand the whiplash that comes with an rear-end collision, which is what happens when a baby is pushed forward in the event of a crash.
If a baby is thrown forward in a frontal crash, the spinal chord can be stretched and strained and cause paralysis or even death. However, if a kid is seated backwards in a car the neck bones remain together and are protected by straps of the harness, which help prevent this type of injury.
Additionally, infants who are rear-facing are less likely to be placed in the back seat of the vehicle during an accident. They are also less likely to be injured by the seat belts that stretch across their chests instead of their necks in the event of a collision.
Parents must ensure that their child is using the right car seat for the size. Refer to the car seat instructions from the manufacturer as well as the owner's manual of your vehicle before making a choice. You can also seek professional advice from a car seat technician who is certified in your area.
If an infant is outgrowing their car seat, they may move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that starts in the rear-facing position, and then transitions to forward-facing once they've reached their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster using a lap-sash seatbelt.
Convertible
Many new parents are split between a baby car seat or a convertible. Both have their benefits but which is the best choice for your family? An infant car seat is perfect for infants However, if you're looking for something that will last for several years then a convertible may be a better option.
Convertible infant car seats can be converted from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. Based on the model, they are able to be used for children as young as late elementary school. Some
rear facing infant car seat-facing car seats have greater weight and size limitations than infant car seat that allow for more use.
Find out if the convertible infant car seat comes with removable inserts for newborns to ensure a snug fit for your child. These firm pads lift the baby's body so they can fit into the smallest slots for straps and move them forward a bit in order to prevent their heads from colliding with the straps of their harness.
Some infant car seats have a handle to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Some can be plugged into strollers, creating a transport system. This feature makes it simple to transfer your car to your stroller without waking your baby for trips to the supermarket mall, the doctor's office, or visits.
Eventually, though your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat or reach their weight limit or their height limit. Most experts agree that it's the right time to move to a convertible seat once the head is within one inch of the
top rated baby car seats of the seat, but be certain to read the manual to ensure that your child is in the right place.
While convertible car seats might appear more expensive initially than infant car seats, they may be cheaper in the long term because you'll be in a position to use them for many years. In addition, some models come with lower anchors that allow you to install them with less force than traditional seats, which could reduce injuries in an accident.
Safety Ratings
When it comes to buying an infant car seat, safety should be foremost in your mind. All infant car seats must be compliant with federal safety standards, however some surpass the minimum requirements to provide extra assurance for parents.
Premium features, such as adjustable harnesses with no-rethread straps and anti-rebound bars, can aid in ensuring that your child is secure properly and securely. Load legs that brace the seat's base and reduce the force of a crash are also available.
A good way to determine the safety of an infant car seat is prior purchasing it is to review its crash test ratings and reviews. However, it's important to remember that the most crucial factor in determining how safe an infant car seat is the way it is used. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats are caused by misuse -- either inadequate installation or improper restraint of the child -- and not the actual performance of the seat in a crash.
If you want to be sure that you are using your infant car seat correctly make sure you choose one with a simple guide, lots of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles at the bottom that show you EXACTLY how to position it. Make sure you firmly tighten the straps to the abdomen and chest of your child when you install it. The ratcheting noise it makes when you tighten it is an excellent indication.
Finally, when you're out and about with your
infant Car Seat newborn in a car seat, never leave the
car seat for newborn seat unattended, even if you're just going to the shop or taking a short trip to the park. It's not just risky in the event of a crash however, leaving an infant car seat or baby carrier on a hard surface could also lead to injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that tip or roll can cause injuries or even death to babies.
While the decision between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat might seem like it's all about the cost, keep in mind that you will need a booster seat at some time. Choose a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat to save money in the long term. These seats offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.
