Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
The majority of infant car seats detach from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame for easy transportation. This feature makes them popular with parents who plan to take frequent trips out of town.
Dress your baby in clothing that the harness straps can comfortably be positioned over their hips and shoulders, regardless of which car seat you select. The bulky clothing or blankets could hinder a secure harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats (also called convertible car seats that have an open rear position) are designed to hold infants and children up to the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. These car seats are usually equipped with an infant insert to ensure that the head of a baby is securely placed inside the shell of the seat.
The AAP and the 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 and all-in-one car seats allow your child to remain rear-facing for longer, up to age 4 or 5.
The majority of manufacturers create car seats with the ability to adjust the reclining angle. be adjusted to keep the baby's head from sliding forward when the vehicle is stopped. You can refer to the instruction manual for your car seat to find out how to adjust the angle, or view a video made by an influencer of your car seat. Avoid putting your baby in bulky clothing such as blankets or coats. They could hinder a snug fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their chest and neck.
Many parents aren't comfortable switching their child from rear-facing position to forward-facing. They worry that the force of the crash may cause the baby's legs to be ejected from their feet, or that their neck and head may be hurled forward violently in an accident that is side-to-side. It's important to keep in mind that rear-facing provides a greater level of protection than forward-facing.
A video posted by an influencer for car seats shows a child in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed about in an accident simulation. The head injury that occurs is horrifying. The video of the same incident from the rear seat is not as bad because the child's head is cradled by the shell.
If your state law requires you to turn your child to forward-facing do not follow it! This is not in accordance with best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should stay rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height for the car seat.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are designed for newborns and infants. Harnesses assist in securing them to the seat. Parents may be able adjust the headrest, recline angle, and stroller attachments depending on the model of car seat. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit, and a majority of kids will outgrow them long before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
It's normal for parents to want to turn their baby around as soon as they can, however the current norm requires that children under one year old remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year old. The reason is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by an accident that rears them, which occurs when a child turns into the opposite direction in an accident.
If a child's neck is forced forward in a frontal accident the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which can 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 type of injury.
Additionally, infants who are rear-facing are less likely to be placed in the back seat of the car in an accident. In the event of a collision they're less likely to be injured by a seat belt that runs across their chests instead of their necks.
Parents must ensure that their child is using the correct car seat that is suitable for his or the size. Always consult the instructions of the manufacturer's car seat and the owner's manual for your vehicle 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 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 when they've reached the recommended weight and age.
Convertible
Many new parents are split between a baby car seat or a convertible. Both have advantages but which is the best for your family? An infant car seat is great for newborns However, if you're looking for something that will last many years, a convertible is probably a better option.
Convertible infant car seats can be converted from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. Based on the model, they are able to accommodate children from infanthood to late elementary school. Some models have higher weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than infant car seats, allowing them to be used longer.
Check if the convertible infant car seat has removable newborn inserts to ensure a snug fit for your child. These pads are firm and lift the infant's body up so that they can get to the lowest slots for straps and move them forward a bit to stop their heads from colliding with the straps on their harness.
Some infant car seats have a handle to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature allows you to go from your car to your stroller without waking your baby, for trips to the store mall, the doctor's office, or visits.
In the end, however, your child will outgrow their infant car seat in the event of reaching their weight limit or height limit. The majority of experts agree that it's time to move to a convertible car seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top of the seat, but make sure to consult your seat's manual to ensure that your child is prepared.
Convertible car seats may seem more expensive than infant car seats at first however they can turn out to be cheaper over time because you can use them for many years. Some models also have lower anchors which allow for easier installation. This can reduce the chance of injury in the event of a crash.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the most important factor to consider when shopping for infant car seats. All infant car seats have to conform to the safety standards set by the federal government. However, some go beyond the minimum requirements to provide parents with extra security.
Premium features like anti-rebound bars as well as no-rethread adjustable harnesses are a great way to ensure that your child's safety is kept in mind. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the base of the seat and reduce the force of a crash, are also available.
Reviewing crash test ratings and reviews of a baby car seat can aid in determining its safety before purchasing. It is important to keep in mind that the use of an infant car seat will determine how safe it is. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, most accidents that involve infant car seats are caused by negligence -- either inadequate installation or improper restraint of a child- and not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.
To be sure you're using a car seat for your infant correctly, look for one with a easy-to-read instruction manual and plenty of indicators that show it's secure and level, including bubbles on the base that tell you EXACTLY where to place the seat. When you install the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten is a good indication.
Even if you're just running to the grocery store or taking a short trip into the park, you should never leave your child unattended in the car. Apart from being infant car seat for travel pushchairsandprams.uk in a crash, leaving an infant car seat or carrier on a hard surface outside the vehicle is a risky practice that can lead to injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tip over or roll can also injure or suffocate babies.
You will need an additional car seat at some point. To save money over the long term, choose a convertible or all-in-one car seat that offers you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.