20 Reasons Why Infant Car Seat Newborn Will Never Be Forgotten
Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can disengage from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame for easy transport. best car seat infant makes them very popular with parents who are planning to take frequent trips outside of the city.
Dress your baby in clothing so that the harness straps comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips, regardless of which car seat you select. Large blankets or clothing can hinder a secure harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, also known as convertible car seat with a rear-facing position, are designed to accommodate infants and small children up to a weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert that ensures the head of a newborn is comfortable placed inside the shell of the seat.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that infants ride rear-facing until they reach 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 baby to be rear facing for longer, until about age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).
The majority of car seats have an adjustable reclining angle that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's back from slipping forward when the vehicle slows down. You'll need to study your car seat's manual for instructions on 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 not to wearing your child in bulky clothing like blankets or coats because they can hinder an ideal fit for the harness and cut off airflow around the infant's neck and chest.
Many parents are hesitant about switching their child from a 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 that their neck and head may be violently thrown forward in an accident that is side-to-side. It's important to remember that rear-facing offers a better level of protection than forward-facing.
A video posted by an influencer for car seats shows a child in the forward-facing car seat being violently tossed about in an accident simulation. The head injury that occurs is terrifying. But the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat is not nearly as bad, because a child's head is within the shell of the car seat.
So, if your state law requires you to move your child's back, ignore it! This isn't in line with best practices. That is why the AAP and NHTSA are now in agreement that children should remain rear-facing until they hit their maximum height or weight limit for the car seat, whichever comes first.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are designed to protect infants and newborns with harnesses to help keep them in the car seat. Depending on the model of the car seat, parents may be in a position to adjust the headrest and recline angle to ensure their child's comfort as well as choose from various 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 ready to be switched to a forward-facing car seat.
It's natural parents' desire to turn their baby around as soon as they can, but the current standard requires that children under one year old stay rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year old. This is because infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough to handle the whiplash of a rear-end crash which happens when a child turns to the side in a crash.
If a baby's neck is moved forward in a frontal accident the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which can lead to paralysis or death. If a child is seated backwards in a car their neck bones are held together and secured by the harness, preventing this type of injury.
Rear-facing babies are also less likely to be in the rear of the car in an accident. They are also less likely to be injured by the seat belts that stretch across their chest rather than their necks in the event of a collision.
Parents must ensure that their child is in the right car seat that is suitable for his or her size. Always consult the manufacturer's car seat instructions and vehicle owner's manual when making a decision. It's recommended to visit a reputable car seat technician in your local area for professional help and advice.
If an infant is out of their car seat, he or she can change to convertible car seats. These seats start in the rear-facing direction and then switch to forward-facing once they reach their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat that has a lap-sash adult seatbelt after they've reached their recommended age and weight.
Convertible
Many new parents are torn between a baby car seat or a convertible one. Both have their advantages however which one is the best for your family? An infant car seat is perfect for infants, but if you want something that will last for several years it is likely that a convertible would be a better option.
Convertible infant car seats convert from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. This allows them to fit kids from infancy through late elementary school, depending on the model you select. Some models have higher weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than infant car seats, allowing them to last longer.
If you choose to purchase convertible infant car seats make sure to determine whether it has removable newborn inserts that to ensure a snug and secure fit for your baby. These pads are firm and lift the infant's body so that they can fit into the smallest slots for straps, and then move them forward a bit so that they can prevent their heads from colliding with the straps on their harness.
Some infant car seats have handles 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 transfer your car to your stroller without waking your baby, for trips to the store mall, the doctor's office, or visits.
Your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat. This can occur when they reach their weight or height limit. Many experts agree that it's the right time to switch to a convertible car seat when their 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 ready.
Convertible car seats might seem more expensive than infant car seats at first, but they can be less expensive over time due to the fact that you can use them for a long time. Some models also come with lower anchors which allow for easier installation. This can reduce injuries during the event of a crash.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the first thing to consider when shopping for an infant car seats. All infant car seats must meet the safety standards of the federal government, but some exceed the norm to provide extra assurance for parents.
Premium features, such as adjustable harnesses with no-rethread straps and anti-rebound bars, can help ensure that your child is secured correctly and securely. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the bottom of the seat and help reduce the force of a crash, are available as well.
One way to find out how safe an infant car seat is before purchasing it is to review its crash test ratings and reviews. However, it's important to remember that the most important aspect in determining how safe an infant car seat is actually how it is used. Based on our conversations most accidents that occur in infant car seats are the result of negligence, whether it's due to unsafe installations or improper restraints on the child.
To be sure you're using an infant car seat correctly, choose one that has a clear instruction manual and plenty of indicators that show it's secure and level, including bubbles at the base which 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 noise it makes when you tighten it is an excellent indicator.
Finally, when you're out and about with your infant in a car seat, never leave it unattended, even if you are just running into the shop or taking a short excursion to the park. It is not only dangerous in the event of a crash however, leaving an infant car seat or baby carrier on a hard surface could cause injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tip over or roll can cause injuries to babies, or worse they could even suffocate them.
While the choice between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat may feel like it boils down to cost at this point, keep in mind that you will need a booster seat at some time. To save money over the long term consider a convertible or all-in-one car seat that will give you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.