Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

Most infant car seats can detach from their base and snap into a stroller frame for easy transportation. This feature makes them popular for parents who plan to frequently travel out of town.

No matter which car seat you choose, dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips. Bulky clothing or blankets can interfere with a snug harness fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats with an open rear position) are designed to hold newborns and children up to the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an rotating infant car seat insert that ensures the head of a newborn is comfortable in the seat shell.

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, whichever comes first. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your child to ride rear facing even longer, until about age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).

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 backward when the vehicle is stopped. You'll need to study the manual of your car seat to determine how to adjust the reclining angle, or find a video from a car seat influencer to learn how. It's also important to avoid placing your baby in bulky clothing, like blankets and coats because they can hinder the snug fit of the harness and block airflow around the baby's neck and chest.

Many parents are hesitant to change their child's position from rear-facing to forward-facing as they worry the force of a crash will throw the child's legs and feet, or that their head and neck could be thrown forward violently in a side impact. It is important to keep in mind that rear-facing offers a more protection than forward-facing.

A video made by a car seat influencer depicts an infant in a forward facing car seat being thrown around violently in the crash simulator. The resultant head injury is horrendous. The video of the same crash from the rear seat is not as bad because the child's head is held by the shell.

If your state requires you to face your child in the opposite direction, do not follow it. This does not line up with the best practices, which is why the AAP and NHTSA have now agreed that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight for the car seat, whichever comes first.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are designed to protect infants and newborns with harnesses to help keep them in the car seat. Depending on the model of car seat parents will be in a position to adjust the headrest and recline angle for their child's comfort, and also select from several attachments for the stroller of their baby. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and most kids will outgrow them long before they're ready to switch to a forward-facing car seat.

While it's understandable that parents would like to turn their child around as soon as they can The current law requires that children who are less than one year old of age must remain rear-facing in a car seat until they're 20 pounds and one year old. The reason is that neck muscles of infants are not strong enough to withstand whiplash from an accident that rears them, which is caused when a child moves into the opposite direction in an accident.

If a baby's neck is forced forward in an accident in front the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which can result in paralysis or even death. But, if a child is seated backwards in a car the neck bones stay together and are protected by straps that secure the harness, which prevents this kind of injury.

Rear-facing infants are also less likely to end up in the rear of the car in an accident. They're also less likely be injured by the seat belt that extends across their chest, as opposed to their necks, in a collision.

Parents must ensure that their child is using the right car seat that is suitable for his or the size. Always refer to the manufacturer's car seat instructions and the vehicle owner's manual before making an important decision. It's recommended to visit an accredited car seat technician in your local area for professional help and advice.

When a baby grows out of their car seat, he or she can upgrade to convertible car seats. These seats start in the rear-facing mode and switch to forward-facing once they reach their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster using a lap-sash seatbelt.

Convertible

Many new parents are torn when it comes to choosing between an infant car seat and a convertible one. Both have their benefits however which one is the best for your family? A car seat for infants is great for newborns however if you are looking for something that lasts for many years it is likely that a convertible would be more suitable.

Convertible infant car seats change from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. Based on the model, they can be used for children as young as late elementary school. Some have heavier weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than car seats for infants, allowing them to last longer.

Make sure that the convertible infant car seat comes with removable infant inserts that will ensure a comfortable fit for your child. These firm pads lift the infant's body up so that they can get to the lowest slots for straps and push them forward slightly so that they can prevent their heads from slapping against the harness straps.

Car seats for infants also tend to have a handle that parents use to move between cars, and some of them can be connected to strollers to form a travel system. This feature makes it easy to go from your car to your stroller without waking your baby for trips to the grocery store or mall, or for doctor visits.

At some point, your child will outgrow their infant car seat newborn (please click the next internet page) car seat, either by reaching their weight limit or their height limit. The majority of experts agree that it's the right time to move to a convertible car seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top of the seat, but be certain to read the manual to ensure that your child is prepared.

Convertible car seats may seem more expensive than the infant car seats initially however they can turn out to be cheaper over time because you can use them for a number of years. Some models also come with lower anchors which allows for a simpler installation. This could help reduce the chance of injury in a crash.

Safety Ratings

When you are shopping for an infant car seat, safety should be top of mind. All infant car seats are required to conform to federal safety standards. However some seats go above and beyond the minimum requirements to give parents extra security.

Premium features, like adjustable no-rethread harnesses and bars that prevent rebounding, can aid in ensuring that your child is secured properly and securely. Load legs, which brace the base of the seat and reduce the force of a crash are also available.

Checking the crash test ratings and reviews of a car seat for infants can help you determine the safety of the product prior to purchasing. However it is important to remember that the most important aspect in determining how safe an infant car seats best car seat is how it is used. Based on our conversations the majority of accidents involving infant car seats are caused by negligence, whether it's due to incorrect installations or improper restraints on the child.

If you'd like to be certain that you're 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 on the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY where to place it. When installing the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. The ratcheting noise it makes when you tighten it is an excellent indication.

Even if you're just going to the store or making a quick trip into the park, it's not a good infant car seats idea to leave your child unattended in a car. It's not only an unwise decision in the event of a crash, leaving an infant car seat or carrier on a rough surface outside of your vehicle is a dangerous practice that could result in falls and injuries. Seats and carriers that tilt or roll over can also cause injuries to infants or, even more dangerously and even cause them to suffocate.

While the choice between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seats may seem like it comes down to cost at this point be aware that you will need an additional booster seat at some time. Choose a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to save money in the long run. These seats will offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.