Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can be removed from their base, and then reassembled into a stroller that is compatible to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them very popular with parents who are planning to make frequent trips outside of the city.
Dress your baby in clothing so that the harness straps comfortably be positioned over their hips and shoulders regardless of the car seat type you choose. Bulky clothing or blankets can interfere with a snug harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats that have a rear-facing position) are designed to support infants and children up to the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert that makes sure the head of a newborn is comfortable in the seat shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that babies ride rear-facing until they reach their weight or height limits for car seats or until they reach their weight limits, whichever comes first. Some convertible and all in one car seats allow your child to sit rear facing longer, up to age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).
The majority of car seats have a reclining angle which can be adjusted to keep the baby's back from slipping forward when the vehicle slows down. You'll need to read the manual for your car seat to determine how to adjust the reclining angle or look up a video from a car seat influencer to learn how. Do not place your baby in bulky clothing such as blankets or coats. They could hinder a snug fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their chest and neck.
Many parents are reluctant to change their child's position from rear-facing to forward-facing because they fear that the force of a crash could throw the child's legs and feet or that their head and neck could be thrown forward violently in a collision with a side. But, it's important to remember that the rear-facing position provides much greater protection than forward-facing.
A video by an influencer of car seats shows an infant in a forward facing car seat being tossed around violently in an accident simulator. The head injury that occurs is horrifying. But the video of the same accident from the rear-facing car seat is not as severe as the head of a child is held within the shell of the car seat.
So, if your state law requires you to turn your child's back avoid it! This is not in line with the
best car seats for infants practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should remain rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are designed specifically for infants and newborns. Harnesses assist in securing them in the seat. Depending on the car seat model parents will be able to adjust the headrest and recline angle to ensure their child's comfort and also select from a variety of attachments for the stroller of their baby. 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.
It's normal for parents to want to turn their baby around as soon as they can, however, the current law requires that children under one year old stay rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year old. The reason for this is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by an accident that rears them, which happens when a child turns into the opposite direction 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 could cause paralysis or even death. However, if a kid is seated backwards in a car the neck bones remain together and are protected by the straps that secure the harness, which prevents this kind of injury.
Rear-facing infants are also less likely to be in the back of the vehicle in an accident. They are also less likely to be injured by a seat belt that stretches across their chest, as opposed to their necks, in the event of a collision.
Considering these risks It is crucial parents adhere to the safety guidelines for car seats and ensure their child is using the right car seat for their height. Always consult the instructions of the manufacturer's car seat and the vehicle owner's manual before making a decision. It's also a good idea to visit an accredited car seat technician in your local area to get expert advice and assistance.
When an infant grows out of their car seat, he or she can change to a convertible car seat. The seats start in the rear-facing direction and then shift to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat with a lap-sash adult seatbelt after they've reached their recommended age and weight.
Convertible
Many new parents are torn between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible one. Both have advantages, but which one is best car seat newborn uk;
why not try these out, for your family? An infant car seat 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.
Convertible
infant car seats that swivel car seats convert from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. They can accommodate kids from infancy through late elementary school, depending on the model you select. Some have higher weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than infant car seats, allowing them to be used longer.
Find out if the convertible infant car seat comes with removable newborn inserts to ensure a comfortable fit for your child. These sturdy pads raise the infant's body so that they can fit into the smallest slots for straps and push them slightly forward to stop their heads from hitting the straps of their harness.
Some infant car seats come with handles to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature allows you to easily transfer from your car to a stroller without wake up your baby.
Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This can occur when they reach their weight or height limit. Many experts agree that it's the right time to transition to a convertible car seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top of the seat, but be sure to consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is ready.
Convertible car seats can appear more expensive than infant car seats at first however they can turn out to be less expensive over time due to the fact that you can use them for a long time. Additionally, some models come with lower anchors that permit the installation of these seats with less force than traditional seats, which could reduce injuries in the event of a crash.
Safety Ratings
When you are shopping for an infant car seat, safety should be
top rated baby car seats of mind. All car seats for infants are required to conform to the safety standards set by the federal government. However some go above the minimum requirements to give parents extra security.
Premium features, like adjustable harnesses with no-rethread straps and bars that prevent rebounding, can help ensure that your child is secured properly and securely. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the base of the seat and reduce the force of a crash, are also available.
One way to find out how safe an infant car seat is prior to purchasing it is to check its crash test ratings and reviews. It is important to remember that the use of an infant car seat will determine how safe it is. Based on our conversations most accidents that occur in infant car seats are the result of improper use, either through unsafe installations or improper restraints on the child.
If you'd like to be certain that you're using the correct car seat for your infant, then look for one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual, plenty of signs that the seat is level and secure and bubbles on the bottom that show you EXACTLY the best way to place it. When installing the seat tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten it is a good indication.
Even if you're just going to the grocery store or taking a short trip to the park, you should never leave your infant in a car. It is not only dangerous in the event of a crash and leaving your infant car seat or baby carrier on a rough surface could cause injuries and falls. Car seats and carriers that tilt or roll over can also hit and injure babies or, worse yet and even cause them to suffocate.
While the choice between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seats may seem like it boils down to the cost but keep in mind that you'll need a booster seat at some time. Choose a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to save money in the long term. These seats offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.
