Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can disengage from their base and snap into a stroller frame for easy transport. This makes them very popular with parents who intend to frequently travel out of town.
Whatever type of car seat you choose make sure your child is dressed in clothing that allows 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 referred to as convertible car seats with a rear-facing position designed to accommodate infants and children of a smaller size up to a weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert to ensure that the head of a newborn is comfortable positioned inside the seat shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that children 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 ride rear facing even longer, right up to 4 or 5 (depending on the model).
The majority of car seats have the option of reclining angles that can be adjusted in order to stop the baby's back from falling forward when the car stops. You can either read the instruction manual for your car seat to find out how to adjust the angle, or view a YouTube video of an influencer of your car seat. It's also important to avoid putting your baby in bulky clothing such as coats or blankets as they could hinder an ideal fit for the harness and block airflow around your infant's chest and neck.
Many parents aren't comfortable switching their child from rear-facing position to forward-facing. They fear that the force of the crash may throw their child's legs or feet, or that their neck and head could be violently thrown forward during a side-impact. It is important to keep in mind that rear-facing provides a more protection than forward-facing.
A video by a car seat influencer depicts an infant in a forward facing car seat being violently tossed around in the crash simulator. The resultant head injury is a gruesome injury to the head. The video of the same crash from the rear seat isn't as severe because the child's head is cradled by the shell.
If your state requires that you face your child forward, don't do it. This is not in line with the best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should be rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat.
Forward-Facing
Car seats for infants are designed to cradle newborns and infants, with harnesses that help keep them in the car seat. Parents can adjust the headrest, recline angle and stroller attachments based on the type of car seat. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit, and most children will outgrow them before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's understandable for parents to are eager to get their child back as soon as they can, the current standard mandates that kids under one year of age must be rear-facing in a car seat until they're 20 pounds or 1 year of age. This is because the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to handle the force of a rear-end crash that occurs when a baby turns forward in a crash.
If a baby's neck is forced forward in an accident that is frontal the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which could cause paralysis or even death. However, if a kid is facing backward in the car the neck bones stay together and are protected by harness straps, which prevents this kind of injury.
In addition, infants facing the rear are less likely to be thrown into 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.
In light of these risks, it's vital for parents to adhere to the safety guidelines for car seats and ensure that their child is using the right car seat for their height. Always refer to the instructions of the manufacturer's car seat and vehicle owner's manual when making the decision. It's also a good idea to visit a reputable car seat technician in your local area to get expert advice and assistance.
When an infant grows out of their car seat, he or she can change to a convertible car seat. The seats start in the rear-facing direction and switch to forward-facing when they reach their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster with lap-sash seatbelts.
Convertible
Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible one. Both have their advantages however which one is the best choice for your family? A car seat for infants is ideal for infants however if you are looking for something that will last for many years it is likely that a convertible would be the better choice.
Convertible infant car seats convert from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. This allows them to fit children from infancy until the end of elementary school, based on the model you select. infant car seat travel have heavier weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than infant car seats, which allows them to last longer.
If you decide to buy a convertible infant car seat, be sure to check whether it comes with removable infant inserts that can ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your baby. These paddings raise the infant's torso so they can fit into the smallest slots in the straps, and moves them slightly forward to prevent their head from slipping back against the straps of their harness or the buckle on the crotch of the seat (which puts them at risk for positional asphyxia).
Some infant car seats have a handle that makes it easier to move between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature lets you easily transfer from your car to a stroller without wake your baby.
Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This can happen when they reach their weight limit or height. The majority of experts agree that it's the right time to switch 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 make sure your child is ready.
While convertible car seats might appear more expensive initially than infant car seats but they can be more affordable in the long run since you'll be in a position to use them for many years. Some models also have lower anchors which make it easier to install. This could reduce the risk of injuries during an accident.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the primary factor 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 additional assurance for parents.
High-end features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread harnesses can help to ensure your child's safety maintained. Load legs, which support the seat's base and reduce the force in the event of a crash, are also available.
A good way to determine the safety of an infant car seat is before purchasing it is to check its crash test ratings and reviews. It's important to remember that the use of an infant car seat will determine how secure it is. Based on our conversations, the majority of accidents involving infant car seats result from misuse -- either improper installation or inadequate restraints for the child.
If you want to be certain that you are using the right car seat for your baby, make sure you choose one that has an easy-to-read manual, plenty of signs that the seat is secure and level, and bubbles on the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY the best way to place it. When installing the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. The ratcheting noise it makes when you tighten is a good indicator.
Finally, when you're out and about with your baby in car seats, don't leave the car seat unattended, even if you are just running into the store or a quick excursion to the park. It is not only dangerous in the event of a crash, but leaving an infant car seat or infant carrier on a hard surface could cause injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tip over or roll can cause injuries or even death to babies.
You will need an additional car seat at some time. Select a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to save money in the long run. These seats offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.