Infant Car Seat – What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can be detached from their base and snapped into a compatible stroller to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them popular with parents who intend to take frequent trips out of town.
Whatever type of car seat you select, dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to fit comfortably over their shoulders and hips. Large blankets or clothing can interfere with a snug harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats (also called convertible car seats with a rear-facing position) are designed to support newborns and children as high as the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They typically come with an infant car seat cheap insert to ensure that the baby’s head is comfortable positioned within the seat’s shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that babies ride rear-facing until they reach their height or weight limits for the car seat or the weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats let your child ride rear-facing even longer, up to age 4 or 5.
The majority of car seat manufacturers offer an adjustable reclining angle that can be adjusted to prevent the baby’s back from sliding forward when the vehicle stops. You’ll need to study the manual of your car seat to figure out how to adjust the reclining angle or look up a video from a car seat influencer to learn how to do it. Do not place your baby in bulky clothing like coats or blankets. They could hinder an ideal fit of the harness and block airflow around their necks and chests.
Many parents are hesitant to switch their children from rear-facing to forward-facing because they are concerned that the force of a crash will cause the baby to lose their feet and legs, or that their head and neck could be thrown forward violently in a side collision. It is important to remember that rear-facing provides a much more protection than forward-facing.
A video posted by a car seat influencer shows a child in the forward-facing car seat being violently tossed about in the crash simulation. The resultant head injury is horrific. The video of the same accident from the rear-facing seat is not as bad because the child’s head is held by the shell.
If your state requires you to put your child forward, don’t do it. This is not in line with best car seats for infants practices. That is the reason why the AAP and NHTSA now agree that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight for the car seat, whichever is first.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are designed specifically for infants and newborns. Harnesses assist in securing them in the seat. Depending on the model of the car seat parents will be able to adjust the recline angle and headrest to suit their child’s needs, as well as select a variety of attachments for the baby’s stroller. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and most kids will outgrow them long before they’re able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
It’s natural parents’ desire to change their baby’s position as quickly as they can, but the current standard requires that children less than one year old remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and are one year old. This is because infants’ neck muscles aren’t strong enough to handle the force of a rear-end crash which happens when a child turns to the side in an accident.
If a baby’s neck gets forced forward in an accident in front the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which could result in paralysis or even death. If a child is seated backwards in the car their neck bones are kept together and secured by the harness, which prevents this kind of injury.
In addition, rear-facing infants are less likely to be to be thrown into the back of the vehicle during an accident. They are also less likely to be injured by the seat belt that extends across their chests, as opposed to their necks, in the event of a collision.
Considering these risks It is crucial for parents to adhere to the safety guidelines for car seats and ensure that their child is using the correct car seat for their height. Always consult the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and vehicle owner’s manual when making the decision. 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 can move to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that begins in the rear-facing position, and then transitions to forward-facing once they’ve reached their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age, they can upgrade to a booster with lap-sash seatbelts.
Convertible
Many new parents are torn in deciding between an infant car seat and convertible ones. Both have their advantages however, which is the right choice for your family? A convertible car seat is an excellent option for a long-lasting car seat for infants.
As your child grows in age, convertible car seats for infants can be repositioned from front-facing to rear-facing. They can accommodate children from infancy until the end of elementary school, based on the model you select. Certain rear-facing car seats come with higher weight and size limits than infant car seat which allows for more time of use.
If you decide to buy convertible infant car seats, be sure to check whether it comes with removable newborn inserts that help to ensure a snug and secure fit for your baby. These firm pads lift the baby’s body so they can reach the lowest slots for straps, and then move them forward a bit to stop their heads from hitting the harness straps.
Some infant car seats come with a handle to make it easier to move between vehicles. Some can be plugged into strollers, forming a travel system. This feature allows you to transfer your car to your stroller, without waking your baby for trips to the supermarket, mall, or doctor visits.
Your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat. This can happen when they reach their weight limit or height. The majority of experts agree that it’s time to upgrade to a convertible car seat once your child’s head is within one inch of the top edge of the seat. Consult your seat’s instruction manual to ensure that your child is in the right place.
Although convertible car seats may appear to be more expensive in the beginning than car seats for infants however, they could be less expensive in the long run because you’ll be capable of using them for several years. Some models also come with lower anchors which allows for a simpler installation. This could reduce the risk of the risk of injuries in a crash.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the first thing to think about when purchasing Infant Car Seat Newborn car seats. All car seats for infants are required to comply with the safety standards set by the federal government. However, some go beyond the minimum requirements to give parents extra peace of mind.
High-end 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 of the event of a crash, are also available.
One way to find out the safety of an infant car seat is prior purchasing it is to review its crash test ratings and reviews. It is important to keep in mind that the use of an infant car seat will determine how safe it is. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of accidents that involve infant car seats stem from improper use — or in the case of an inadequate installation or improper restraint of the childand not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.
If you want to be sure that you are using the correct car seat for your infant, make sure you choose one with a simple manual, plenty of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles on the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY where to place it. Make sure you firmly tighten the straps to the chest and abdomen of your child when you install it. A good indication of this is the sound that it makes as you tighten.
Even if you’re merely going to the store or taking a short trip into the park, you should never leave your child unattended in a car. It’s not just dangerous in the event of a crash and leaving your infant car seat or baby carrier on a rough surface could also lead to injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tilt or roll over can cause injuries to babies, or worse they could even suffocate them.
While the decision between an infant car seats by age seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat might seem like it comes down to the cost be aware that you will require an additional booster seat at some point. To save money over the long term, choose a convertible or all-in-one car seat that will give you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.
