Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can be dismantled from their base and slid into a stroller compatible with them for easy transportation. This makes them popular with parents planning to take frequent trips outside of the city.
Whatever type of car seat you pick, dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders. The bulky clothing or blankets could interfere with a snug harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats (also called convertible car seats with rear-facing positions) are designed to support infants and children up to the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. These car seats typically include an infant insert to make sure the baby's head is comfortable positioned within the seat's shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that infants ride rear-facing until they attain their weight or height limits for the car seat or until they reach their weight limits, whichever comes first. Certain convertible and all-in one car seats allow your child to ride rear-facing even longer, up to about age 4 or 5.
The majority of car seat manufacturers offer the option of reclining angles that can be adjusted to keep the baby's back from falling forward when the vehicle slows down. You can refer to the manual for your car seat to learn how to adjust the angle or watch a video 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 prevent a snug harness fit and block airflow around the baby's neck and chest.
Many parents are reluctant to switch their children from rear-facing to forward-facing because they are concerned that the force of a crash could throw the child's legs and feet or that their head and neck might be thrown violently forward in a side impact. However, it's important to keep in mind that the position of rear-facing provides much greater protection than the forward-facing position.
A video made by a car seat influencer depicts an infant in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed around in an accident simulator. The head injury that results is horrific. The video of the same incident from the rear-facing seat is not as bad because the child's head is held by the shell.
So, if your state law requires you to turn your child's face forward avoid it! This does not line up with best practices. That is the reason why the AAP and NHTSA are now in agreement 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 for infants and newborns. Harnesses are used to secure them to the seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle of the headrest and stroller attachments based on the model of car seat. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and the majority of children will outgrow them before they're ready to switch to a forward facing infant car seat-facing car seat.
It's understandable parents' desire to change their baby's position as quickly as they can, but the current standard requires that children under one year old remain facing rear until they weigh 20 pounds and are one year old. This is due to the fact that infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough to withstand the whiplash that comes with the rear-end crash which happens when a baby is pushed forward in an accident.
If a baby's neck gets moved forward in an accident that is frontal the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which can cause paralysis or even death. But, if a child is seated backwards in the car the neck bones remain together and are secured by harness straps, which prevents this type of injury.
Rear-facing babies are also less likely to be in the back of the vehicle in an accident. In the event of a collision, they're less likely to be injured by a seatbelt that runs across their chests rather than their necks.
Parents must ensure that their child is using the right car seat that is suitable for his or the size. Always consult the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and the vehicle owner's manual before making an important decision. It's also a good idea to visit an accredited car seat technician in your area for professional help and advice.
If an infant is outgrowing their car seat, they can move to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that starts in the rear-facing position, and shifts to forward-facing when they've reached their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age, they can upgrade to a booster seat with lap-sash belts.
Convertible
Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat newborn (www.cheaperseeker.com) car seat or a convertible one. Both have advantages, but which one is the best for your family? An infant car seat is perfect for infants However, if you're looking for something that will last for several years it is likely that a convertible would be the better choice.
As your child grows and becomes a convertible infant car seat, they can be moved from rear-facing to front-facing. This allows them to fit children from the age of infancy to late elementary school, based on the model you choose. Some have higher weight and height limits in the rear position than infant car seats, which allows them to be used longer.
If you opt for convertible infant car seats Be sure to verify whether it comes with removable newborn inserts that help ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your baby. The firm padding raises the infant's torso so they can reach the lowest slots on the straps, and then it pushes them forward a bit to stop 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 are also likely to have a handle that parents use to transfer between cars, and some of them can click into strollers to create a transport 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. The majority of experts agree that it's time to switch to a convertible seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top rated baby car seats of the seat, but make sure to consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is prepared.
Convertible car seats may seem more expensive than baby car seats at first however, they could be more affordable over time since you can use them for a number of years. Some models also come with lower anchors which make it easier to install. This could help reduce injuries during the event of a crash.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the primary factor to think about when buying car seats for infants. All baby car seats must meet federal safety standards, but some exceed the norm to offer extra assurance for parents.
Premium features such as anti-rebound bars and no-rethread harnesses can help to ensure that your child's safety is kept in mind. Load legs, which brace the base of the seat and reduce the force in an accident, are also available.
Reviewing crash test ratings and reviews of a car seat for infants can help you determine its safety before purchasing. However it's important to keep in mind that the most important aspect in determining the safety of an infant car seats on sale car seat is actually the way it is used. According to our conversations most accidents that occur in infant car seats are caused by misuse -- either incorrect installations or improper restraints for the child.
If you want to be certain that you're using the correct car seat for your infant, make sure you choose one with a simple manual, plenty of indicators that the seat is level and secure and bubbles at the bottom that will show you 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 is a good indication.
Even if you're just running to the store or making a quick trip to the park, you shouldn't leave your child unattended in the car. It's not only an unwise decision in the event of the event of a crash, leaving an infant car seat or carrier on a hard surface outside the vehicle is a risky practice that could result in injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that tip over or roll can also injure or suffocate babies.
You will need a booster car seat at some time. Select a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to save money over the long run. These seats will provide more options and last longer than infant car seats.