Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most baby car seats can be removed from their base, and slid into a stroller compatible with them for easy transport. This feature makes them popular for parents who plan to make frequent trips out of town.
No matter which car seat you pick 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 known as convertible car seats with a rear-facing position are designed to fit infants and children of a smaller size as long as they meet the weight and height limit specified by the manufacturer. top rated baby car seats include an infant insert that ensures the baby's head is comfortable 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 let your child remain rear-facing for longer, until around age 4 or 5.
Most manufacturers design their car seats with the ability to adjust the reclining angle. be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from sliding backwards when the car is stopped. You can read the instruction manual for your car seat to learn how to adjust the angle or view a video made by an influencer for your car seat. Avoid putting your baby in bulky clothing such as blankets or coats. They could impede an ideal fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their chest and neck.
Many parents are reluctant in switching their child from a rear-facing position to forward-facing. They worry that the force of the crash could throw their child's legs or feet, or their neck and head could be violently thrown forward in an accident that is side-to-side. It is important to keep in mind that rear-facing provides a much greater level of protection than forward-facing.
A video by an influencer of car seats shows a child in a forward-facing car seat violently tossed in an accident simulation. The head injury that results is awe-inspiring. However, the video of the same accident from the rear-facing car seat not nearly as bad because the head of the child is held in the car seat's shell.
If your state requires you to put your child forward, ignore it. This is not in accordance with best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height for the car seat.
Forward-Facing
Car seats for infants are designed to protect infants and newborns with harnesses that to secure them in the seat. Depending on the car seat model parents might be capable of adjusting the angle of recline and headrest to suit their child's needs, and also select from various attachments for their stroller. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and a majority of children will outgrow them before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's understandable for parents to would like to change their child's behavior as soon as possible, the current standard mandates that children under one year of age must be rear-facing in car seats until they're 20 pounds and 1 year of age. The reason is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by an accident that rears them, which happens when a child turns forward in the event of an accident.
If a baby is caught during a collision with a car, the spinal chord can be stretched and strained and cause paralysis or even death. However, if a kid is seated backwards in the car the neck bones remain together and are secured by straps that secure the harness, which prevents this type of injury.
Additionally, infants who are rear-facing are less likely to be to be thrown into the back of the vehicle in an accident. They are also less likely to be injured by a seat belt that stretches across their chest rather than their necks in the event of a collision.
With these risks in mind, it's vital for parents to follow car seat safety rules and ensure that their child is using the right car seat for their size. Check the car seat instructions from the manufacturer and your vehicle's owner's manual before making a decision. It's also a good idea to visit an accredited car seat technician in your area for professional help and advice.
If an infant is outgrowing their car seat, they may move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that starts in the rear-facing location 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 with lap-sash seatbelts.
Convertible
Many new parents are torn when it comes to choosing between a car seat for infants and convertible ones. Both have their benefits however which one is the best choice for your family? An infant car seat is great for newborns however if you are looking for something that will last for several years then a convertible may be the better choice.
As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be moved from front-facing to rear-facing. They are able to accommodate kids from infancy through late elementary school, based on the model you select. Certain rear-facing car seats come with greater weight and size limitations than the infant car seats, allowing for longer use.
Check if the convertible infant car seat comes with removable inserts for newborns to ensure a snug fit for your child. The firm padding raises the infant's body so that they can get to the smallest slots in the straps, and it pushes them forward a bit to stop their head from flopping back against the straps of their harness or the buckle for the crotch (which puts the child at risk of asphyxia).
Some infant car seats have handles to make it easier to move between vehicles. Some can be plugged into strollers, creating a transport system. This feature allows you to easily transfer your car to a stroller without wake your baby.
Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This could happen when they reach their weight or height limit. The majority of experts agree that it's time to transition to a convertible seat when their head is within an inch of the top of the seat, but be sure to consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is in the right place.
While convertible car seats can seem more expensive upfront than car seats for infants, they may be cheaper in the long run because you'll be able to use them for a long time. Additionally, certain models have lower anchors that allow you to install them using less force than traditional seats, which can minimize injuries from the event of a crash.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the primary factor to think about when purchasing an infant car seats. All infant car seats are required to meet federal safety standards. However some seats go above and beyond the minimum requirements to give parents extra peace of mind.
Premium features, such as adjustable no-rethread harnesses and bars that prevent rebounding, can aid in ensuring that your child is secured properly and securely. Other useful tools, such as load legs that brace the base of the seat and help reduce the impact force in a crash are also available.
Reviewing crash test ratings and reviews of a car seat for infants can aid in determining its safety before purchasing. However, it's important to remember that the most important aspect in determining how safe an infant car seat is how it's used. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of accidents that involve infant car seats stem from misuse -- either improper installation or improper restraint of a childbut not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.
If you want to be certain that you are using the correct car seat for your infant, then look for one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual, plenty of signs that the seat is level and secure, and bubbles on the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY how to position it. Additionally, make sure to be sure to secure the straps the chest and abdomen of your baby when you install it. A good indication of this is the ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten.
When you're out and about with your baby in a car seat, do not leave it unattended, even when you're just going to the shop or taking a short visit to the park. It's not just risky in the event of a crash however, leaving an infant car seat or infant carrier on a hard surface could also lead to injuries and falls. Car seats that roll or tip over can also injure or suffocate babies.
While the choice between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seats may seem like it boils down to the cost, keep in mind that you will need an additional booster seat at some time. To save money in the long run, choose a convertible or all-in one car seat that gives you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.