infant
car seat for newborn seat newborn (
had me going) Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can be removed from their base, and snapped into a compatible stroller for easy transportation. This feature makes them popular with parents planning to make frequent trips out of the city.
Dress your baby in clothing so that the harness straps can comfortably be positioned over their shoulders and hips regardless of the car seat you select. Large blankets and clothes can make it difficult to find an appropriate fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, referred to as convertible car seats with an inclination to the rear, are designed to accommodate newborns and small children up to a certain weight and height limit specified by the manufacturer. They usually include an infant insert to make sure the head of a
newborn car seat is securely inside the shell of the seat.
The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that children remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight limit or height limit of their car seat. Some convertible and all in one car seats allow your baby to be rear facing for longer, up to age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).
Most manufacturers design their car seats with an angle of reclining that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from falling backwards when the car is stopped. You can either read the manual for your car seat to learn how to adjust the angle or view a video made by a car seat influencer. Avoid putting your baby in bulky clothing such as coats or blankets. They could impede an appropriate fit of the harness and block airflow around their neck and chest.
Many parents are hesitant to change their child's position from rear-facing to forward-facing because they worry the force of a crash could throw the child's feet and legs or that their head and neck may be thrown violently forward in a side impact. It is important to remember that rear-facing provides a much better level of protection than forward-facing.
A video posted by a car seat influencer shows an infant sitting in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed around in an accident simulator. The head injury that results is horrifying. The video of the same incident from the seat facing rearward is not as bad because the child's head is being held by the shell.
If your state law requires you to turn your child's face forward avoid it! This does not line up with best practices. That is why the AAP and NHTSA have now agreed that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first.
forward facing infant car seat-Facing
Infant car seats are designed to protect infants and newborns, with harnesses that help to secure them in the seat. Parents may be able adjust the recline angle of the headrest, and stroller attachments depending on the type of car seat. The majority of
portable infant car seat car seats have an upper weight and height limit, and most kids will outgrow them long before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's normal for parents to want to change their child's behavior as soon as possible 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 or 1 year of age. This is because infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough for the whiplash of the rear-end crash that occurs when a baby turns forward in a crash.
If a child is being thrown forward in a frontal crash the spinal cord can be stretched and strained which can cause paralysis or even death. If a child is looking backwards in a car, their neck bones are kept together and secured by the harness, preventing this type of injury.
In addition, rear-facing infants are less likely to be thrown into the back seat of the vehicle during an accident. In the event of a collision, they're less likely to be injured by a seat belt that runs across their chests instead of their necks.
Parents must ensure that their child is in the right car seat for his or the size. Always refer to the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and the vehicle owner's manual before making a decision. You can also seek expert advice from a technician for car seats who is certified in your area.
When a baby outgrows their car seat, they may move to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that begins in the rear-facing position, and then shifts to forward-facing after they've reached their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age they can upgrade to a booster with a lap-sash seatbelt.
Convertible
Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible. Both have advantages however, which is the right choice for your family? An infant car seat is great for newborns, but if you want something that will last for several years then a convertible may be more suitable.
Convertible infant car seats can be converted from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. They are able to accommodate kids from infancy through late elementary school, depending on the model you choose. Certain rear-facing car seats come with larger weight and size restrictions than infant car seat which allows for more time of use.
Find out if the convertible car seat is equipped with removable inserts for newborns to ensure a secure fit for your child. These firm pads lift the infant's body so that they can get to the lowest slots for straps, and then push them slightly forward in order to prevent their heads from colliding with the straps on their harness.
Infant car seats are also likely to have a handle that parents use to move them between vehicles and can be connected to strollers to form a travel system. This feature makes it easy to go from your car to your stroller, without disturbing your baby for trips to the supermarket or mall, or for doctor visits.
Your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat. This could happen when they reach their weight or height limit. The majority of experts agree that it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat once your child's head is within 1 inch of the top edge of the seat. Check the instruction manual to ensure that your child is in the right place.
Convertible car seats might seem more expensive than baby car seats at first however, they could be more affordable over time since they can be used for a long time. Certain models also have lower anchors which make it easier to install. This could help reduce injuries during the event of a crash.
Safety Ratings
When it comes to buying an infant car seat, safety should be foremost in your mind. All baby
car seat inserts for newborns seats must meet federal safety standards, but some exceed the norm to offer extra assurance for parents.
Premium features, such as adjustable harnesses that do not rethread and anti-rebound bars, will aid in ensuring that your child is secure correctly and securely. Load legs, which support the base of the seat and reduce the force of an accident, are also available.
Checking the crash test ratings and reviews of an infant car seat can aid in determining its safety before purchasing. However it is important to remember that the most important factor in determining the safety of an infant car seat is actually how it is used. Based on our conversations the majority of accidents that occur in infant car seats are caused by improper use, either through improper installation or inadequate restraints of the child.
If you want to make certain that you are using the right car seat for your baby, make sure you choose one that has an easy-to-read guide, lots of indicators that the seat is level and secure and bubbles at the bottom that show you EXACTLY the best way to place it. When you install the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. A good indicator of this is the ratcheting sound it produces when you tighten.
When you're out and about with your baby in a car seat, do not leave it unattended, even when you are just running into the store or a quick visit to the park. It is not only dangerous in the event of a car crash however, leaving an infant car seat or baby carrier on a rough surface could cause injuries and falls. Car seats that tip or roll can cause injuries or even death to babies.
You will require an additional car seat at some point. Choose a convertible car seat or an all in one seat to save money over the long run. These seats offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.
