Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most baby car seats can be detached from their base and snapped into a compatible stroller for easy transport. This makes them very popular with parents who intend to frequently travel out of town.
Regardless of which type of car seat you choose, dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to fit comfortably over their shoulders and hips. The weight of blankets and clothing can make it difficult to get an ideal fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seats that have a rear-facing position, are designed to accommodate infants and small children up to a weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They usually come with an infant insert that ensures a newborn's head is comfortably inside the shell of the seat.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that infants remain rear-facing until they reach the weight or height limits of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in one car seats allow your child to ride rear-facing even longer, up to age 4 or 5.
The majority of car seats have an adjustable reclining angle that can be adjusted to keep the baby's back from slipping forward when the car stops. You can read the instruction manual for your car seat to learn how to adjust the angle, or watch a video by an influencer for your car seat. It's also important not to placing your baby in bulky clothes, like blankets and coats, because they can prevent the snug fit of the harness and cut off airflow around the infant's chest and neck.
Many parents aren't comfortable changing their child's rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the force of the crash may throw their child's legs or feet, or their neck or head could be hurled forward violently in an accident that is side-to-side. It's important to keep in mind that rear-facing offers a more protection than forward-facing.
A video made by an influencer of car seats shows an infant in a forward facing car seat being thrown around violently in an accident simulator. The head injury that occurs is horrifying. But the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat not as severe, because a child's head is held in the shell of the car seat.
If your state law requires you to move your child's back avoid it! This isn't in line with the best practices, which is the reason why the AAP and NHTSA now agree that children should remain rear-facing until they hit their maximum height or weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first.
Forward-Facing
Car seats for infants are designed specifically for infants and newborns. Harnesses assist in securing them to the seat. Parents can adjust the headrest, recline angle and stroller attachments based on the model of car seat. The majority of infant car seats come with a maximum weight and height and the majority of children will outgrow them before they're ready to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's understandable for parents to would like to get their child back as soon as they can however, the current norm states that children who are less than one year old of age must be rear-facing in car seats until they're 20 pounds and 1 year of age. This is because infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough for the whiplash that comes with a rear-end crash which happens when a baby turns forward in an accident.
If a child's neck is moved forward in an accident that is frontal the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which can cause paralysis or even death. If a child is seated backwards in a car their neck bones are held together and protected by the harness, preventing this type of injury.
Rear-facing babies are less likely to end up in the back of the car during an accident. They're also less likely to be injured by the seat belt that extends across their chest rather than their necks, in a collision.
Parents must ensure that their child is using the right car seat for his or her size. Take a look at the car seat instructions from the manufacturer and the owner's manual of your vehicle before making a choice. You can also seek out professional advice from a car seat technician who is certified in your area.
If an infant is out of their car seat, he or she can upgrade to convertible car seats. These seats are designed to start in a rear-facing position 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 upgrade to a booster seat with lap-sash belts.
Convertible
Many new parents are torn between choosing an
infant car Seat Newborn car seat or a convertible. Both have their advantages, but which is the best choice for your family? A car seat for infants is perfect for infants, but if you want something that lasts for many years it is likely that a convertible would be a better option.
As your child grows in age, convertible car seats for infants can be moved from front-facing to rear-facing. This allows them to fit children from the age of infancy to late elementary school, depending on the model you select. Some have heavier weight and height limits in the rear position than infant car seats, which allows them to last longer.
If you decide to buy a convertible infant car seat make sure to determine whether it comes with removable infant inserts that can ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your baby. These pads are firm and lift the infant's body up so that they can fit into the smallest slots for straps and push them slightly forward in order to prevent their heads from colliding with the harness straps.
Some infant car seats have a handle to make it easier to move between vehicles. Others can be clicked into strollers, forming a
travel infant car seat system. This feature makes it simple to transfer your car to your stroller without waking your baby for trips to the supermarket, mall, or doctor visits.
In the end, however, your child will outgrow their car seat for infants or reach their weight limit or their height limit. Most experts agree that it's time to transition to a convertible seat when the head is within one inch of the top of the seat, but be sure to consult your seat's manual to make sure your child is in the right place.
Although convertible car seats may appear more expensive initially than infant car seats but they can be more affordable in the long term because you'll be capable of using them for many years. Additionally, certain models have lower anchors that permit you to install them using less force than traditional car seats, which can minimize injuries from a crash.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the primary factor to think about when purchasing infant car seats. All
infant car seat for travel car seats must meet federal safety standards, however some go above and beyond to offer extra security for parents.
Premium features, such as adjustable harnesses with no-rethread straps and anti-rebound bars, can help ensure that your child is secure correctly and securely. Load legs that brace the base of the seat and reduce the force during a crash are also available.
A
good infant car seats way to determine the safety of an infant car seat is prior to purchasing it is to check its crash test ratings and reviews. It's important to keep in mind that the use of a car seat for infants will determine how safe it is. According to our conversations most accidents involving infant car seats result from negligence, whether it's due to improper installation or inadequate restraints on the child.
If you'd like to be certain that you're using your infant car seat correctly make sure you choose one that has an easy-to-read guide, lots of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles at the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY the
best car seats for infants way to place it. Additionally, make sure to securely secure the straps to the chest and abdomen of your child when you install it. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten is an excellent indication.
Finally, when you're out and about with your infant in a car seat, never leave it unattended, even if you are just running into the shop or taking a short visit to the park. In addition to being an extremely dangerous idea in the event of a crash, leaving an
infant car seats on sale car seat or carrier on a hard surface outside of your vehicle is a risky practice that could result in injuries and falls. Car seats 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 boils down to the cost, keep in mind that you will need a booster seat at some point. Select a convertible car seat or an all in one seat to save money over the long term. These seats offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.
