Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
The majority of baby car seats can be removed from their base, and then reassembled into a stroller that is compatible for easy transportation. This feature makes them popular with parents who intend to make frequent trips out of town.
Whatever type of car seat you choose make sure your child is dressed in clothes that allow the harness straps to comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips. Large blankets and clothes can make it difficult to achieve an ideal fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seats that have a rearward-facing position designed to accommodate infants and children of a smaller size as long as they meet the weight and height limit specified by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert that makes sure the head of a newborn is comfortably positioned inside the shell of the seat.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that babies remain rear-facing until they reach the weight or height limits of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in one car seats let your child ride rear-facing even longer, until around age 4 or 5.
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 stops. It is necessary to read the manual of your car seat for instructions on how to adjust the reclining angle or watch a video by a car seat influencer to learn how. Do not place your baby in bulky clothing like coats or blankets. They could hinder an ideal fit of the harness and block airflow around their chest and neck.
Many parents are hesitant to switch their children from a rear-facing position to a forward-facing one because they are concerned that the impact force could eject the baby's feet and legs, or that their neck and head could be thrown forward violently in a side collision. It's important to remember that rear-facing provides a better level of protection than forward-facing.
A video posted by an influencer of car seats shows an infant sitting in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed around in an accident simulator. The resulting head injury is horrific. The video of the same accident from the seat facing rearward isn't as severe because the child's head is held by the shell.
If your state law requires you to move your child to forward-facing avoid it! This isn't in line with the best practices, which is why the AAP and NHTSA have now agreed that children should remain rear-facing until they hit their maximum height or weight for the car seat, whichever is first.
Forward-Facing
Car seats for infants are designed specifically for infants and newborns. Harnesses assist in securing them to the seat. Depending on the model of the car seat parents will be able to adjust the angle of recline and headrest to suit their child's needs, as well as choose from a variety of attachments for the baby's stroller. The majority of infant car seats come with the capacity to hold a maximum weight and height, and most children will outgrow them before they are ready to switch to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's understandable for parents to are eager to turn their child around as soon as possible The current law requires that kids under one year of age must be rear-facing in car seats until they're 20 pounds and one year old. The reason for this is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash from a rear-end collision. This occurs when a child turns forward in the event of an accident.
If a child is being thrown forward in a frontal crash the spinal cord could be stretched and torn and cause paralysis or even death. If a child is seated backwards in a car the neck bones remain together and are protected by the straps that secure the harness, which prevents this type of injury.
Additionally, infants who are rear-facing are less likely to be placed in the back seat of the vehicle in an accident. In the event of a collision they are less likely to be injured by a seat belt that runs across their chests rather than their necks.
Parents must ensure that their child is using the correct car seat that is suitable for his or their size. Refer to the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer as well as your vehicle's owner's manual before making a choice. You can also seek expert advice from a technician for car seats who is accredited in your region.
When a baby outgrows their car seat, they can 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 lap-sash belts.
Convertible
Many new parents are confused in deciding between an infant car seat and convertible ones. Both have their benefits but which is the right choice for your family? An infant car seat is ideal for infants However, if you're looking for something that lasts for several years it is likely that a convertible would be more suitable.
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 children from infancy until late elementary school, depending on the model you select. Certain rear-facing car seats come with greater weight and size limitations than the infant car seats that allow for more use.
Check if the convertible infant car seat has removable inserts for newborns to ensure a secure fit for your child. These firm pads lift the baby's body so they can get to the lowest slots for straps, and then push them slightly forward in order to prevent their heads from colliding with the straps of their harness.
Infant car seats are also likely to have a handle that parents use to move between cars and can be inserted into strollers to create 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, mall, or doctor visits.
At some point your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat or reach their weight limit or height limit. Most experts agree that it's the right time to switch to a convertible seat once the head is within one inch of the top of the seat, but make certain to read the manual to ensure that your child is ready.
While convertible car seats can seem more expensive upfront than infant car seats, they may be cheaper in the long term because you'll be in a position to use them for a long time. Additionally, some models come with lower anchors that allow you to install them with less force than traditional car seats, which can lessen the risk of injuries in a crash.
Safety Ratings
When you are shopping for an infant car seat, safety is the top priority. All infant car seats must meet federal safety standards, however some surpass the minimum requirements to offer extra assurance for parents.
Premium features, such as adjustable harnesses with no-rethread straps and anti-rebound bars, will aid in ensuring that your child is secured correctly and securely. Other useful tools, like load legs that brace the base of the seat and reduce the impact force of a crash are also available.
Examining best car seat and reviews of a car seat for infants will aid in determining its safety prior to purchasing. It is essential to keep in mind that the usage of an infant car seat will determine how safe it is. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats result from negligence -- either incorrect installation or inadequate restraint of the child- and not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.
To be sure you're using an infant car seat correctly, choose one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual as well as plenty of indicators that show it's solid and level, with bubbles at the base which tell you EXACTLY where to position the seat. Make sure you firmly tighten the straps to the abdomen and chest of your baby when you install it. A good indicator of this is the ratcheting sound it makes as you tighten.
Also, when you're out and about with your child in a car seat, never leave it unattended, even when you're just going to the store or a quick trip to the park. 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 option that can result in injuries and falls. Car seats that roll or tip over can cause injury or death to babies.
While the choice between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat may feel like it boils down to cost at this point be aware that you'll need an additional booster seat at some point. Select a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat to save money over the long term. These seats provide more options and last longer than infant car seats.