Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
The majority of infant car seats disengage from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame for easy transportation. This makes them very popular for parents who plan to frequently travel out of town.
Regardless of which 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 and blankets can make it difficult to find a snug fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, referred to as convertible car seat with an inclination to the rear designed to accommodate infants and small children up to a certain weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They typically come with an infant insert to make sure the baby's head is comfortable in the seat's shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that children ride rear-facing until they attain their weight or height limits for car seats 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, until around age 4 or 5.
Most car seat manufacturers include a reclining angle which can be adjusted to stop the baby's back from sliding forward when the vehicle slows down. You can refer to the instruction manual for your car seat to find out how to adjust the angle, or watch a video by an influencer for your car seat. It is also important to avoid placing your baby in bulky clothes, such as coats or blankets as they could hinder an ideal fit for the harness and cut off airflow around your infant's neck and chest.
Many parents are reluctant in switching their child from rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the force of the crash may cause the baby's legs to be ejected from their feet, or their neck and head may be hurled forward violently in an impact from the side. But, it's important to remember that the rear-facing position provides much greater protection than the forward-facing position.
A video by an influencer for car seats shows a child sitting in a forward-facing car seat violently tossed in a crash simulation. The head injury that results is horrific. However, the video of the same crash from the rear-facing car seat is not nearly as bad because the head of the child is in the car seat's shell.
If your state law requires you to turn your child's back do not follow it! This is not in line with best practices. That is why the AAP and NHTSA now agree that children should remain rear-facing until they hit their maximum height or weight for the car seat, whichever comes first.
Forward-Facing
Car seats for infants are designed to hold infants and newborns with harnesses that to secure them in the seat. Depending on the model of car seat parents will be able to adjust the headrest and recline angle for their child's comfort, and also select from a variety of attachments for the stroller of their baby. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and most children will outgrow them before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's understandable for parents to are eager to change their child's behavior as soon as possible however, the current norm states that children under one year of age must be rear-facing in car seats until they're 20 pounds or one year old. The reason is that neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash from a rear-end collision, which happens when a child turns forward in an accident.
If a child's neck is forced forward in a frontal accident the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which could cause paralysis or even death. But, if a child is seated backwards in the car the neck bones stay together and are secured by straps of the harness, which help prevent this type of injury.
Rear-facing babies are also less likely to be in the rear of the car in an accident. They're also less likely to be injured by the seat belt that extends across their chest rather than their necks in a collision.
Parents must ensure that their child is in the right car seat for her size. Check the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer and your vehicle's owner's manual before making a choice. You can also seek expert advice from a car seat technician who is accredited in your area.
If an infant is outgrowing their car seat, they may 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 using lap-sash belts.
Convertible
Many new parents are confused when it comes to choosing between an infant car seat and convertible ones. Both have their advantages, but which is the right choice for your family? A convertible car seat is a great option for a long-lasting infant car seat.
As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be moved from front-facing to rear-facing. They are able to accommodate children from infancy until late elementary school, based on the model you choose. Some models have higher weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than car seats for infants, allowing them to be used for longer.
Find out if the convertible infant car seat comes with removable newborn inserts to ensure a snug fit for your child. The firm padding raises the infant's body so that they can fit into the smallest slots in the straps, and it pushes them forward a bit to prevent their head from flopping back against the straps of their harness or the buckle for the crotch (which puts them at risk of positional asphyxia).
Some infant car seats come with a handle that makes it easier to move between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature allows you to easily transfer your car to a stroller without waking up your baby.
Your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat. This can happen when they reach their weight limit or height. Many experts agree that it's the right time to switch to a convertible seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top of the seat, but make sure to refer to your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is in the right place.
Convertible car seats can appear more expensive than the infant car seats initially however they can turn out to be less expensive over time due to the fact that they can be used for a long time. In addition, some models have lower anchors that allow you to install them with less force than traditional seats, which can reduce injuries in a crash.
newborn car seat insert is the primary factor to think about when purchasing infant car seats. All infant car seats must meet federal safety standards, however some surpass the minimum requirements to provide extra peace of mind for parents.
Premium features, like adjustable harnesses that do not rethread and anti-rebound bars, can aid in ensuring that your child is secured properly and securely. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the base of the seat and reduce the impact force of a crash are available as well.
A good way to determine how secure 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 usage of a car seat for infants will determine how safe it is. According to our conversations, the majority of accidents that occur in infant car seats are caused by improper use, either through improper installation or inadequate restraints on 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 guide, lots of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles at the bottom that show you EXACTLY where to place it. Additionally, make sure to be sure to secure the straps the chest and abdomen of your baby when you install it. A good indication of this is the sound that it makes when you tighten.
Even if you're just running to the store or taking a short trip into the park, you should never leave your infant in a car. It's not just dangerous in the event of a crash however, leaving an infant car seat or infant carrier on a hard surface could cause injuries and falls. Car seats and carriers that are prone to tipping over or roll could cause injuries to babies or, worse yet they could even suffocate them.
You will require an additional car seat at some point. Consider a convertible car seat or an all in one seat to save money over the long term. These seats will offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.