Infant Car Seat – What You Need to Know
The majority of infant car seats be removed from their base and snap into a stroller frame to make it easy to transport. This makes them very popular for parents who plan to make frequent trips out of town.
Whatever type of car seat you select Dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders. Bulky clothing and blankets can make it difficult to achieve a snug fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seats with an inclination to the rear, are designed to accommodate infants and small children up to a weight and height limit that is set by the manufacturer. They typically include an infant insert to ensure that the head of a newborn is securely inside the shell of the seat.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that babies ride rear-facing until they reach their height or weight limits for the car seat or the weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your baby seat to sit rear facing longer, until about age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).
Most car seat manufacturers include an adjustable reclining angle that can be adjusted in order to keep the baby’s back from sliding forward when the car stops. You can read the instruction manual for your car seat to find out how to adjust the angle, or watch a video by an influencer for your car seat. Do not place your baby in heavy clothing, such as coats or blankets. They could impede an ideal fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their neck and chest.
Many parents are hesitant about switching their child from a rear-facing position to forward-facing. They fear that the force of the crash could cause the baby’s legs to be ejected from their feet, or their neck or head could be violently thrown forward in an impact from the side. However, it’s crucial to remember that the rear-facing position provides more protection than forward-facing.
A video by an influencer of car seats shows a child in the forward-facing car seat being violently tossed about in an accident simulation. The head injury that results is terrifying. 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 change your child to forward-facing avoid it! This isn’t in line with the best practices, which is why the AAP and NHTSA are now in agreement that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit for the car seat, whichever comes first.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are designed for newborns and infants. Harnesses are used to secure them to the seat. Depending on the car seat model parents will be in a position to adjust the recline angle and headrest for their child’s comfort, as well as choose from a variety of attachments for the stroller of their baby. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit, 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 want 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 or 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, which is caused when a child moves forward in an accident.
If a baby’s neck is thrust forward during an accident in front the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which can lead to paralysis or death. If a child is seated backwards while driving their neck bones are held together and protected by the harness, which prevents this type of injury.
In addition, rear-facing infants are less likely to be thrown into the back seat of the vehicle during an accident. They are also less likely to be injured by the seat belt that extends across their chest instead of their necks in a collision.
Parents must ensure that their child is using the right car seat for their size. Take a look at the car seat instructions from the manufacturer and the owner’s manual for your vehicle prior to making a choice. It’s recommended to visit a reputable car seat technician in your local area to get expert advice and assistance.
When an infant outgrows their car seat, they can change to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that begins in the rear-facing location and shifts to forward-facing when they’ve reached their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster with a lap-sash seatbelt.
Convertible
Many new parents are split between a baby car seat or a convertible. Both have their benefits but which is the best choice for your family? An infant car seat is ideal for infants, but if you want something that will last many years it is likely that a convertible would be more suitable.
As your child grows in age, convertible car seats for infants can be repositioned from front-facing to rear-facing. This allows them to fit children from the age of infancy to 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 which allows for more time of use.
Check if the convertible infant car seat has removable newborn inserts to ensure a comfortable fit for your child. These firm padding lifts the infant’s torso so they can fit into the smallest slots on the straps, and then moves them slightly forward to stop their head from sliding back against the straps of their harness or the seat’s crotch buckle (which puts them at risk of positional asphyxia).
Infant car seats are also likely to have a handle that parents use to move them between vehicles and can be connected to strollers to create a travel system. This feature allows you to easily transfer from your car to a stroller, without having to wake up your baby.
Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This could occur when they reach their weight limit or height. Most experts agree it’s time to upgrade to a convertible car seat once your child’s head is within one inch of the top edge of the seat. Consult your seat’s instruction manual to ensure that your child is in the right place.
Convertible car seats may seem more expensive than baby car seats at first however they can turn out to be cheaper over time because you can use them for many years. Some models also come with lower anchors which make it easier to install. This could help reduce the risk of injuries in the event of a crash.
Safety Ratings
Kinderkraft Safety Fix2 Car Seat – Group 1-2-3 Pushchairs Store is the first thing to think about when buying an infant car seats. All infant car seats on sale car seats must be compliant with the safety standards of the federal government, but some exceed the norm to provide extra assurance for parents.
Premium features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread harnesses are a great way to ensure your child’s safety ensured. Load legs, which brace the seat’s base and help reduce the force in the event of a crash, are also available.
An effective method to determine how secure an infant car seat is prior buying it is to look up its crash test ratings and reviews. However it is important to remember that the most crucial factor in determining how safe an infant car seat is actually the way it is used. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, most accidents that involve infant car seats are caused by improper use — or in the case of an improper installation or improper restraint of the childand not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.
To be sure you’re using a car seat for your infant correctly, choose one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual as well as plenty of indicators that it is solid and level, with bubbles on the base that inform you EXACTLY where to position the seat. Make sure you be sure to secure the straps the chest and abdomen of your child before you install it. A good indicator of this is the ratcheting sound it produces when you tighten.
Even if you’re merely going to the store or making a quick trip to the park, you shouldn’t leave your child unattended in a car. It’s not only an unwise decision in the event of the event of a crash, leaving your infant car seat or carrier on a hard surface outside of your vehicle is a risky option that can lead to falls and injuries. Seats or carriers that roll or tip over can cause injury or death to babies.
While the choice between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seats may seem like it comes down to the cost but keep in mind that you will require a booster seat at some time. Choose a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to save money over the long run. These seats provide more options and last longer than infant car seats.