Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

Most infant car seats can disengage from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame 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 pick make sure your child is dressed in clothing that allows the harness straps to fit comfortably over their shoulders and hips. Large blankets or clothing can interfere with a snug harness fit.

Rear-Facing

infant car seats (Get More), also referred to as convertible car seats that have a rearward-facing position, are designed to accommodate newborns and small children as long as they meet the weight and height limit specified by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant car seat travel insert to ensure that the head of a baby is securely in the seat shell.

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 or all in one car seats allow your baby to be rear facing for longer, up to 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 prevent the baby's head from sliding backwards when the car is stopped. You'll need to read the manual of your car seat to figure out how to adjust the reclining angle or watch a video by an influencer of your car seat to learn how to do it. Avoid putting your infant in bulky clothing like coats or blankets. They can prevent an ideal fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their necks and chests.

Many parents are reluctant to switch their children from a rear-facing position to a forward-facing one because they are concerned that the force of a crash will eject the baby's legs and feet, or that their neck and head might be thrown violently forward in a collision with a side. It is important to keep in mind that rear-facing offers a greater level of protection than forward-facing.

A video 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. But the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat is not nearly as bad because the head of the child is within the shell of the car seat.

If your state law requires you to change your child to forward-facing do not follow it! This is not in accordance with best car seat infant practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should stay rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are designed to hold infants and newborns with harnesses that keep them in the car seat. Depending on the model of the car seat parents might be capable of adjusting the angle of recline and headrest to suit their child's needs, as well as select a variety of attachments for the stroller of their baby. The majority of infant car seats are designed to accommodate the capacity to hold a maximum weight and height, and most children will outgrow them before they're ready to transition to a forward-facing car seat.

While it's understandable for parents to want to get their child back as soon as they can, the current standard mandates 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 due to the fact that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand the whiplash that comes with the rear-end crash which happens when a baby is pushed forward during a crash.

If a baby's neck gets moved forward in an accident in front the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which can result in paralysis or even death. However, if a kid is seated backwards in a car, the neck bones stay together and are secured by straps of the harness, which help prevent this type of injury.

In addition, infants facing the rear are less likely to be placed in 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 is positioned across their chests instead of their necks.

Parents must ensure that their child is in the correct car seat for their size. Refer to the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer as well as the owner's manual for your vehicle prior to making a decision. It's also a good idea to visit a certified car seat technician in your area to get expert advice and assistance.

When an infant outgrows their car seat, they may move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that is designed to start in the rear-facing position, and then shifts to forward-facing after they've reached their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat using a lap-sash adult seatbelts after they've reached their recommended age and weight.

Convertible

Many new parents are split between a baby car seat or a convertible one. Both have their benefits however which one is the best choice for your family? A convertible car seat is a great option for a long-lasting car seat for infants.

Convertible infant car seats convert from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. This allows them to fit children from the age of infancy to the end of elementary school, based on the model you select. Certain rear-facing car seats have higher weight and size limits than the infant car seats that allow for more use.

If you opt for convertible infant car seats make sure to determine whether it comes with removable infant inserts that help to ensure a snug and secure fit for your baby. These firm padding lifts the infant's torso so they can fit into the smallest slots in the straps, and moves them slightly forward to prevent their head from sliding back against the straps of their harness or the buckle for the crotch (which puts the child at risk of asphyxia).

Infant car seats are also likely to have a handle that parents use to transfer them between vehicles and can click into strollers to form a travel system. This feature lets you easily transfer your car to a stroller without wake your baby.

Eventually, though your child will outgrow the car seat they were in as infants, either by reaching their weight limit or their height limit. Many experts agree that it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat when your child's head is within 1 inch of the top edge of the seat. Consult your seat's instruction manual to make sure your child is in the right place.

Convertible car seats can appear more expensive than the infant car seats initially however, they could be less expensive over time due to the fact that they can be used for many years. Certain models also have lower anchors which make it easier to install. This could help reduce injuries during an accident.

Safety Ratings

Safety is the primary factor to think about when buying an infant car seats. All infant car seats have to conform to the safety standards set by the federal government. However some seats go above and beyond the minimum requirements to provide parents with extra security.

Premium features, such as adjustable harnesses with no-rethread straps and anti-rebound bars, can help ensure that your child is secure properly and securely. Load legs that brace the base of the seat and reduce the force in a crash are also available.

Checking the crash test ratings and reviews of a car seat for infants will aid in determining its safety prior to purchasing. It is important to keep in mind that the usage of a car seat for infants will determine how secure it is. According to our discussions most accidents that occur in infant car seats result from negligence, whether it's due to incorrect installations or improper restraints for the child.

If you want to make certain that you are using the right car seat for your baby, then look for one that has an easy-to-read manual, plenty of signs that the seat is level and secure and bubbles on the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY the best way to place it. Make sure you be sure to secure the straps the chest and abdomen of your child before you install it. One good infant car seats sign of this is the ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten.

Even if you're just going to the market or making a quick trip into the park, it's not a good idea to leave your infant unattended in a car. It's not just risky in the event of a crash however, leaving an infant carrier or car seat on a rough surface could cause injuries and falls. Car seats and carriers that tilt or roll over can cause injuries to babies or, worse yet and even cause them to suffocate.

While the choice between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat might seem like it comes down to the cost be aware that you'll need an additional booster seat at some time. To save money over the long term opt for an all-in-one or convertible car seat that offers you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.