Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can be removed from their base and snap into a stroller frame to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them popular with parents planning to travel frequently out of the city.
No matter which car seat you choose, dress your baby in clothes that allow the harness straps to comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders. Large blankets and clothes can make it difficult to achieve a snug fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats that have an open rear position) are designed to hold newborns and children as high as the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. These car seats are usually 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 they reach the weight limit or height limit of their car seat. Some convertible and all in one car seats allow your child to ride rear facing even longer, right up to 4 or 5 (depending on the model).
Most manufacturers design their car seats with a reclining angle that can be adjusted to keep the baby's head from sliding backward when the vehicle is stopped. It is necessary to read the manual for your car seat to figure out how to adjust the reclining angle or find a video from an influencer of your car seat to learn how to do it. It's also important to avoid wearing your child in bulky clothing, like blankets or coats, because they can prevent a snug harness fit and cut off airflow around the infant's chest and neck.
Many parents are hesitant about switching their child from a rear-facing position to forward-facing. They fear that the force of the crash could cause the baby's legs to be ejected from their feet, or that their neck and head may be violently thrown forward during a side-impact. However, it's important to remember that the position of rear-facing provides much greater protection than forward-facing.
A video posted by a car seat influencer shows an infant in a forward facing car seat being thrown around violently in an accident simulator. The resulting head injury is a gruesome injury to the head. The video of the same incident from the seat facing rearward isn't as horrific because the child's head is held 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 the height required for a car seat.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are designed to protect infants and newborns with harnesses that keep them in the car seat. Depending on the model of the car seat parents will be able to adjust the headrest and recline angle to ensure their child's comfort as well as choose from a variety of attachments for their stroller. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit, and the majority of children will outgrow them before they're ready to be switched to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's normal for parents to want to turn their child around as soon as they can however, the current norm states that children who are less than one year old of age must remain rear-facing in a car seat until they're 20 pounds or 1 year of age. This is because infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough for the whiplash that comes with an rear-end collision which happens when a baby is pushed forward in a crash.
If a child is thrown forward in a frontal collision the spinal cord could be stretched and strained and cause paralysis or even death. However, if a kid 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.
In addition, infants facing the rear are less likely to be thrown into the back seat of the car in an accident. They're also less likely be injured by the seat belt that extends across their chest, as opposed to their necks, in the event of a collision.
Parents must ensure that their child is using the right car seat that is suitable for his or their size. Check the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer and the owner's manual for your vehicle prior to making a choice. You can also seek professional advice from a certified car seat technician who is certified in your region.
When a baby outgrows their car seat, they may move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that is designed to start in the rear-facing position and shifts to forward-facing when they've reached their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age they can upgrade to a booster seat with a lap-sash seatbelt.
Convertible
Many new parents are confused when it comes to choosing between an infant car seat and convertible seats. Both have their advantages but which is the right choice for your family? A convertible car seat is a great option for a durable infant car seat.
As your child grows and becomes a convertible infant car seat, they can be moved from front-facing to rear-facing. This allows them to fit kids from infancy through late elementary school, based on the model you choose. Some rear-facing car seats have greater weight and size limitations than the infant car seats that allow for more use.
If you decide to buy convertible infant car seats make sure to determine whether it comes with removable infant inserts that can to ensure a snug and secure fit for your baby. These pads are firm and lift the baby's body so they can reach the lowest slots for straps and push them forward slightly so that they can prevent their heads from hitting the straps on their harness.
Some infant car seats have a handle that makes it easier to transfer between vehicles. Others can be clicked into strollers, forming a travel system. This feature lets you easily transfer your car to a stroller, without having to wake up your baby.
In the end, however your child will outgrow the car seat they were in as infants or reach their weight limit or their height limit. Many experts agree that it's time to upgrade to convertible car seats when your child's head is within one inch of the top edge of the seat. Review the instructions in your seat's manual to make sure your child is in the right place.
Convertible car seats might seem more expensive than baby car seats at first however, they could be more affordable over time since you can use them for a long time. Additionally, certain models have lower anchors that permit the installation of these seats with less force than traditional seats, which can lessen the risk of injuries in a crash.
infant car seat rear facing is the first thing to consider when shopping for an infant car seats. All infant car seats must be compliant with federal safety standards, however some exceed the norm to provide extra peace of mind for parents.
Premium features, like adjustable harnesses that do not rethread and anti-rebound bars, can help ensure that your child is secure properly and securely. Load legs, which brace the seat's base 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 you purchase. However it is important to remember that the most crucial factor in determining how safe an infant car seat is actually how it's used. According to our conversations, the majority of accidents that occur in infant car seats are the result of negligence, whether it's due to incorrect installations or improper restraints on the child.
If you want to be sure that you are using your infant car seat correctly make sure you choose one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction guide, lots of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles at the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY where to place it. When installing the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten is a good indicator.
Even if you're just running to the market or making a quick visit into the park, it's not a good idea to leave your infant in a car. It's not only an extremely dangerous idea in the event of a crash, leaving an infant car seat or a carrier on a hard surface outside of your vehicle is a risky option that could result in falls and injuries. Car seats and carriers that tilt or roll over can cause injuries to babies, or worse they could even suffocate them.
You will need an additional car seat at some time. To save money in the long run consider an all-in-one or convertible car seat that offers you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.