Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
The majority of infant car seats detach from their base and snap into a stroller frame for easy transportation. This feature makes them popular with parents who intend to make frequent trips out of town.
Whatever type of car seat you choose, dress your baby in clothes that allow the harness straps to comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders. Bulky clothing or blankets can interfere with a snug harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seat with a rearward-facing position designed to accommodate infants and children of a smaller size up to a certain weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. These car seats are typically equipped with an infant insert that makes sure the head of a newborn is comfortable placed inside the shell of the seat.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that babies ride rear-facing until they reach their height or weight limits for car seats or the weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first. Some convertible or all in one car seats allow your child to sit rear facing longer, until about age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).
The majority of manufacturers have their car seats designed with the ability to adjust the reclining angle. be adjusted to keep the baby's head from falling forward when the vehicle 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 an influencer for your car seat. It is also important to avoid wearing your child in bulky clothes, like blankets or 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 let their children change from rear-facing to forward-facing because they are concerned that the force of a crash could throw the child's feet and legs, or that their neck and head might be thrown violently forward in a side impact. It's important to keep in mind that the rear-facing position offers much greater protection than the forward-facing position.
A video by an influencer of car seats shows a child in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed in a crash simulation. The head injury that results is horrific. But the video of the same crash from the rear-facing car seat is not as severe as the head of a child is cradled in the car seat's shell.
If your state law requires you to move your child's back do not follow it! This is not in line with best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should remain rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or height for the car seat.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are designed to protect infants and newborns, with harnesses that help secure them in the seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle, headrest and stroller attachments based on the model of car seat. The majority of infant car seats have 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 normal for parents to are eager to turn their child around as soon as possible however, the current norm states that children who are less than one year old of age must remain rear-facing in car seats until they're 20 pounds and one year old. The reason is that neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash from an accident that rears them, which happens when a child turns into the opposite direction in an accident.
If a child's neck is thrust forward during a frontal accident the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which could lead to paralysis or 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 to be thrown into the back of the vehicle in an accident. In the event of a collision, they are 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 her size. Always refer to the manufacturer's car seat instructions and the owner's manual for your vehicle when making a decision. It's recommended to visit a reputable car seat technician in your area for expert assistance and advice.
If an infant is outgrowing their car seat, they can change to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that is designed to start in the rear-facing position, and then transitions to forward-facing once they've reached their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat that has lap-sash seatbelts for adults once they've reached their recommended weight and age.
Convertible
Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible. Both have advantages, but which is the right choice for your family? A convertible car seat is an excellent option for a durable car seat for infants.
As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be changed from front-facing to rear-facing. Depending on the model, they are able to accommodate children from infanthood to late elementary school. Some have higher weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than infant car seats, which allows them to be used for longer.
Find out if the convertible infant car seat has removable newborn inserts to ensure a secure fit for your child. These pads are firm and lift the infant's body so that they can fit into the smallest slots for straps, and then push them slightly forward in order to prevent their heads from hitting the straps of their harness.
Some infant car seats have a handle to make it easier to move between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, creating a transport system. This feature lets you effortlessly transfer from your car to a stroller without wake your baby.
At some point your child will outgrow their infant car seat, either by reaching their weight limit or their height limit. Most experts agree that it's the right time to transition to a convertible seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top of the seat, but make certain to read the manual to ensure that your child is in the right place.
While convertible car seats can appear more expensive initially than car seats for infants but they can be more affordable in the long term because you'll be able to use them for a long time. In addition, some models come with lower anchors that permit you to install them with less force than traditional car seats, which can lessen the risk of injuries in a crash.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the first thing to think about when buying an infant car seats. All baby car seats must meet federal safety standards, however some exceed the norm to offer extra peace of mind for parents.
Premium features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread harnesses can help to ensure that your child's safety is ensured. Load legs, which brace the seat's base and reduce the force during an accident, are also available.
A good way to determine how safe an infant car seat is prior to purchasing it is to check its crash test ratings and reviews. However, best car seat newborn uk to remember that the most important aspect in determining how safe an infant car seat is actually how it's used. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of accidents that involve infant car seats are caused by misuse -- either inadequate installation or improper restraint of the child -and not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.
If you want to be sure that you are using your infant car seat correctly choose a seat that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual, plenty of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles at the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY where to place it. Additionally, make sure to be sure to secure the straps the abdomen and chest of your child before you install it. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten it is a good indication.
Finally, when you're out and about with your baby in car seats, don't leave it unattended, even when you're just going to the shop or taking a short visit to the park. It's not just dangerous in a car crash and leaving your infant carrier or car seat on a hard surface can also lead to injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tip over or roll can also injure or suffocate infants.
You will need a booster car seat at some time. To save money over the long term, choose an all-in-one or convertible car seat that will give you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.