Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

Most infant car seats can be detached from their base, and slid into a stroller that is compatible for easy transportation. This makes them very popular for parents who plan to take frequent trips out of town.

Whatever type of car seat you choose Dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips. Large blankets and clothes can make it difficult to achieve an ideal fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats (also called convertible car seats with rear-facing positions) are designed to support newborns and children up to the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant car seat cheap insert that ensures the head of a baby is securely positioned inside the seat shell.

The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that babies remain rear-facing until they reach the weight limit or height limit of their car seat. Some convertible or all-in-one car seats allow your child to be rear facing for longer, up to age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).

Most manufacturers design their car seats with the ability to adjust the reclining angle. be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from sliding backwards when the car is stopped. It is necessary to read the manual for your car seat for instructions on how to adjust the reclining angle or find a video from an influencer for your car seat to learn how to do it. It's also important not to placing your lightweight baby car seat in bulky clothing such as coats or blankets because they can hinder an ideal fit for the harness and cut off airflow around your infant car Seat newborn's chest and neck.

Many parents are reluctant in switching their child from rear-facing position to forward-facing. They worry that the impact force could eject their baby's legs or feet, or that their neck or head could be hurled forward violently in an impact from the side. It is important to remember that rear-facing offers a better level of protection than forward-facing.

A video from an influencer of car seats shows a child in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed about in the crash simulation. The head injury that results is terrifying. However, the video of the same accident from the rear-facing car seat is not nearly as bad because the head of the child is held within the shell of the car seat.

If your state law requires you to turn your child to forward-facing do not follow it! This is not in accordance with the best 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 made for infants and newborns. Harnesses help secure them to the seat. Depending on the model of car seat parents might be in a position to adjust the recline angle and headrest for their child's comfort, and also select from a variety of attachments for their stroller. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and the majority of kids will outgrow them long before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.

While it's normal for parents to would like to turn their child around 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 a car seat until they're 20 pounds and 1 year of age. This is because infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough to handle the whiplash of the rear-end crash that occurs when a baby turns forward during the event of a crash.

If a child is being thrown forward during a collision with a car the spinal cord can be stretched and strained which can cause paralysis or even death. If a child is seated backwards in the car the neck bones stay together and are protected by the straps of the harness, which help prevent this kind of injury.

In addition, rear-facing infants are less likely to be placed in the back seat of the car in an accident. In a collision, they're less likely to get injured by a seat belt that runs across their chests rather than their necks.

Parents must ensure that their child is in the right car seat that is suitable for his or their size. Always refer to the manufacturer's car seat instructions and vehicle owner's manual when making the decision. You can also seek out professional advice from a certified car seat technician who is accredited in your area.

When an infant outgrows their car seat, they may move to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that begins 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 with a lap-sash adult seatbelt after they've reached their recommended age and weight.

Convertible

Many new parents are torn 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 fantastic option for a long-lasting infant car seat in front seat car seat.

As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be moved from rear-facing to front-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 position than infant car seat newborn seats, which allows them to be used longer.

Make sure that the convertible infant car seat has removable infant inserts that will ensure a secure fit for your child. These firm pads lift the infant's body so that they can reach the lowest slots for straps, and then push them slightly forward in order to prevent their heads from slapping against the straps of their harness.

Some infant car seats have a handle to make it easier to move between vehicles. Others can be clicked into strollers, forming a travel system. This feature allows you to move from your car to your stroller without waking your baby for trips to the supermarket or mall, or for doctor visits.

In the end, however, your child will outgrow the car seat they were in as infants, either by reaching their weight limit or height limit. Many 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 your child is in the right place.

While convertible car seats can appear more expensive initially than car seats for infants, they may be cheaper in the long run since you'll be capable of using them for a long time. In addition, some models have lower anchors which permit you to install them using less force than traditional car seats, which can lessen the risk of injuries in a crash.

Safety Ratings

When you are shopping for an infant car seat, safety is top of mind. All infant car seats are required to meet federal safety standards. However, some go beyond the minimum requirements to provide parents with additional security.

Premium features, like adjustable harnesses that do not rethread and bars that prevent rebounding, can aid in ensuring that your child is secure correctly and securely. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the bottom of the seat to reduce the force of a crash, are available as well.

A good way to determine how safe an infant car seat is before purchasing it is to check its crash test ratings and reviews. It's important to keep in mind that the use of an infant car seat will determine how secure it is. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of accidents that involve infant car seats are caused by negligence -- either inadequate installation or inadequate restraint of the child -but not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.

To be sure you're using an infant car seat properly, search for one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual and plenty of indicators that show it's secure and level, including bubbles at the base which tell you EXACTLY where to position the seat. When installing the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. A good indication of this is the ratcheting sound it produces when you tighten.

Finally, when you're out and about with your child in a car seat, do not leave the car seat unattended, even if you are just running into the store or a quick excursion to the park. It's not just risky in the event of a car crash, but leaving an infant car seat or infant carrier on a hard surface can cause injuries and falls. Car seats and carriers that are prone to tipping over or roll could also hit and injure babies, or worse, suffocate them.

You will require an additional car seat at some point. To save money over the long term consider a convertible or all-in one car seat that offers you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.