Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most baby car seats can be detached from their base, and slid into a stroller compatible with them for easy transportation. This feature makes them popular with parents who intend to frequently travel out of town.
No matter which car seat you select make sure your child is dressed in clothes that allow the harness straps to comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders. Large blankets or clothing can interfere with a snug harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats (also called convertible car seats that have a rear-facing position) are designed to support newborns and children as high as the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert to ensure that the head of a newborn is comfortable in the shell of the seat.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that babies ride rear-facing until they reach their weight or height limits for car seats, whichever comes first. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your child to ride rear-facing for longer up to about age 4 or 5.
The majority of car seats have a reclining angle which can be adjusted in order to stop the baby's back from sliding forward when the vehicle stops. It is necessary to read the manual of your car seat to determine how to adjust the reclining angle or watch a video by a car seat influencer to discover how to do it. Do not place your baby in bulky clothing like coats or blankets. They could impede an ideal fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their neck and chest.
Many parents are hesitant to change their child's position from rear-facing to forward-facing as they are concerned that the force of a crash will throw the child's legs and feet, or that their neck and head might be thrown violently forward in a collision with a side. It's important to remember that the rear-facing position 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 violently tossed around in a crash simulator. The head injury that results is horrific. But the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat not nearly as horrific because the head of the child is cradled in the shell of the car seat.
So, if your state law requires you to move your child to forward-facing, ignore it! This is not in accordance with the 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 hold infants and newborns, with harnesses that help secure them in the seat. Depending on the car seat model, parents may be able to adjust the recline angle and headrest to ensure 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 these seats before they're ready to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
While infant car seat uk that parents want to get their child back as soon as possible, the current standard mandates that children under one year of age must be rear-facing in a car seat until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year of age. The reason is that neck muscles of infants are not strong enough to withstand whiplash from a rear-end collision, which occurs when a child turns forward in an accident.
If a baby's neck gets 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 facing backward in the car the neck bones remain together and are secured by straps of the harness, which help prevent this kind of injury.
Additionally, infants who are rear-facing are less likely to be placed in the back seat of the vehicle during an accident. In a collision, they're less likely to be injured by a seatbelt that runs across their chests rather than their necks.
Considering these risks, it's vital parents adhere to car seat safety rules and ensure their child is using the right car seat for their height. Refer to the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer and the owner's manual for your vehicle prior to making a choice. It's recommended to visit an accredited car seat technician in your local area to get expert advice and assistance.
When a baby grows out of their car seat, he or she can upgrade to a convertible car seat. These seats start in the rear-facing direction and then switch to forward-facing when 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 choosing an infant car seat or a convertible. Both have their benefits however which one is the best choice for your family? A convertible car seat is a fantastic option for a long-lasting infant car seat.
Convertible infant car seats change from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. They can accommodate children from infancy until late elementary school, based on the model you select. Certain rear-facing car seats have larger weight and size restrictions than the infant car seats that allow for more use.
Make sure that the convertible infant car seat comes with removable inserts for newborns to ensure a snug fit for your child. These firm pads lift the infant's body up so that they can fit into the smallest slots for straps, and then move them forward a bit to stop their heads from slapping against the straps on their harness.
Infant car seats are also likely to have a handle that parents use to transfer between cars, and some of them can be inserted into strollers to form a travel system. This feature makes it easy to go from your car to your stroller, without waking your baby, for trips to the store or mall, or for doctor visits.
Your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat. This can occur when they reach their weight or height limit. Most experts agree that it's time to transition to a convertible car 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 manual to ensure that your child is ready.
While convertible car seats might appear more expensive initially than infant car seats, they may be cheaper in the long run because you'll be capable of using them for many years. Certain models also have lower anchors which make it easier to install. This can reduce the risk of injuries in the event of a crash.
Safety Ratings
When you are shopping for an infant car seat, safety should be the top priority. All car seats for infants are required to meet the safety standards set by the federal government. However, some go beyond the minimum requirements to give parents additional security.
Premium features, like adjustable no-rethread harnesses and bars that prevent rebounding, can aid in ensuring that your child is secure properly and securely. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the base of the seat and help reduce the impact force in a crash are also available.
Examining the crash test ratings and reviews of a car seat for infants will aid in determining its safety before purchasing. It is important to keep in mind that the use of a car seat for infants will determine how secure it is. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of accidents that involve infant car seats result from misuse -- either incorrect installation or inadequate restraint of the child- and 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, then look for one that has an easy-to-read manual, plenty of signs that the seat is secure and level, and bubbles on the bottom that show you EXACTLY the best way to place it. Additionally, make sure to firmly tighten the straps to the chest and abdomen of your child before you install it. The ratcheting sound that it makes when you tighten is a good indicator.
Even if you're just running to the market or taking a short trip into the park, you should never leave your infant unattended in the car. In addition to being an unwise decision in the event of the event of a crash, leaving your infant car seat or a carrier on a hard surface outside of your vehicle is a risky practice that could result in injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that roll or tip over can cause injuries or even death to infants.
While the choice between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat may feel like it's all about the cost be aware that you'll need an additional booster seat at some time. Select a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat to save money over the long term. These seats will provide more options and last longer than infant car seats.