Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can detach from their base and snap into a stroller frame to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them popular with parents planning to take frequent trips outside of the city.
Dress your baby in clothes so that the harness straps comfortably be positioned over their shoulders and hips, regardless of which car seat type you pick. Bulky clothing or blankets can hinder a secure harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seats with an inclination to the rear designed to accommodate newborns and small children up to a weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert that makes sure the head of a newborn is comfortably in the shell of the seat.
The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that children remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight or height limits of their car seat. Some convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your baby to ride rear facing even longer, up to age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).
The majority of manufacturers create car seats with the ability to adjust the reclining angle. be adjusted to keep the baby's head from falling backward when the vehicle is stopped. You'll need to study the manual of your car seat to figure out how to adjust the reclining angle or watch a video by a car seat influencer to learn how. Avoid putting your baby in heavy clothing, such as coats or blankets. They could impede a snug fit of the harness and block airflow around their neck and chest.
Many parents are hesitant about switching their child from rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the impact force could eject their baby's legs or feet, or that their neck and head could be violently thrown forward during an accident that is side-to-side. It's important to keep in mind that rear-facing offers a better level of protection than forward-facing.
A video posted by an influencer of car seats shows an infant in a forward facing car seat being thrown around violently in a crash simulator. The head injury that occurs is terrifying. The video of the same accident from the seat facing rearward isn't as severe because the child's head is cradled by the shell.
If your state law requires you to turn your child to forward-facing avoid it! This is not in accordance with the best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should be rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat.
Forward-Facing
Car seats for infants are designed to protect infants and newborns with harnesses to help keep them in the car seat. Depending on the model of the car seat parents might be in a position to adjust the recline angle and headrest for their child's comfort, as well as choose from various attachments for the baby's 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 understandable that parents would like to turn their child around whenever they can however, the current norm states that children under one year of age must remain rear-facing in car seats until they're 20 pounds or one year old. The reason is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash from a rear-end collision, which is caused when a child moves into the opposite direction in an accident.
If a baby's neck is moved forward in an accident that is frontal the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which can cause paralysis or even death. However, if a kid is seated backwards in a car the neck bones remain together and are protected by straps that secure the harness, which prevents this type of injury.
Rear-facing infants are also less likely to be in the back of the car during an accident. In the event of a collision, they're less likely to get injured by a seatbelt that is positioned across their chests rather than their necks.
Considering these risks In light of these risks, it is essential for parents to adhere to car seat safety rules and ensure that their child is in the right car seat for their size. Always refer to the instructions of the manufacturer's car seat and vehicle owner's manual when making the decision. You can also seek professional advice from a car seat technician who is accredited in your area.
When an infant outgrows their car seat, they can change to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that starts in the rear-facing location and shifts to forward-facing when 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 weight and age.
Convertible
Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible. Both have their advantages however, which is the right choice for your family? A car seat for infants is perfect for infants However, if you're looking for something that will last for several years, a convertible is probably a better option.
Convertible infant car seats convert from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. They are able to accommodate kids from infancy through the end of elementary school, based on the model you choose. Certain rear-facing car seats have larger weight and size restrictions than infant car seat which allows for more time of use.
Find out if the convertible car seat is equipped with removable infant inserts that will ensure a secure fit for your child. These paddings raise the infant's body so that they can get to the smallest slots on the straps, and then pushes them forward slightly to prevent their head from sliding back against the harness straps or the buckle on the crotch of the seat (which puts them at risk for positional asphyxia).
Infant car seats also tend to have a handle that parents use to move them between vehicles and can click into strollers to create a transport system. This feature lets you easily transfer from your car to a stroller without waking your baby.
Eventually, though your child will outgrow the car seat they were in as infants or reach their weight limit or their height limit. Most 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 refer to your seat's manual to ensure that your child is ready.
infant car seat newborn can appear more expensive than the infant car seats initially however, they could be cheaper over time because you can use them for a long time. In addition, some models have lower anchors that allow you to install them using less force than traditional car seats, which can minimize injuries from an accident.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the first thing to think about when purchasing infant car seats. All car seats for infants are required to conform to federal safety standards. However, some go beyond the minimum requirements to provide parents with additional security.
Premium features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread adjustable harnesses can help to ensure your child's safety ensured. Load legs, which support the base of the seat and reduce the force of the event of a crash, are also available.
Examining the crash test ratings and reviews of a car seat for infants can aid in determining its safety prior to purchasing. It's important to keep in mind that the usage of a car seat for infants will determine how secure it is. Based on our conversations the majority of accidents involving infant car seats result from misuse -- either unsafe installations or improper restraints for the child.
To ensure you're using a car seat for your infant correctly, look for one that comes with an easy-to-read instructions manual and lots of indicators that show it's secure and level, including bubbles on the base that inform you EXACTLY which position to put the seat. Also, ensure that you securely secure the straps to the chest and abdomen of your baby when you install it. The ratcheting noise it makes when you tighten is a good indicator.
Finally, when you're out and about with your child in a car seat, do not leave it unattended, even when you're just going to the store or a quick visit to the park. It's not only an extremely dangerous idea in the event of the event of a crash, leaving an infant car seat or carrier on a rough surface outside of the vehicle is a risky option that can result in falls and injuries. Seats and carriers that are prone to tipping over or roll could cause injuries to infants or, even more dangerously, suffocate them.
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, keep in mind that you will need a booster seat at some point. To save money over the long term opt for an all-in-one or convertible car seat that will give you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.