You'll Never Guess This Infant Car Seat Newborn's Tricks
Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can be removed from their base and snap into a stroller frame for easy transportation. This feature makes them popular for parents who plan to make frequent trips out of town.
Dress your baby in clothing that the harness straps can comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders regardless of the car seat type you choose. Large blankets or clothing can hinder a secure harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seats with a rear-facing position, are designed to accommodate infants and small children as long as they meet the weight and height limit specified by the manufacturer. These car seats typically come with an infant insert to ensure that a newborn's head is comfortably in the seat's shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that infants ride rear-facing until they reach their height or weight limits for the car seat or until they reach their weight limits, whichever comes first. Certain convertible and all in one car seats allow your child 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 to stop the baby's back from falling forward when the car stops. You'll need to read the manual of your car seat for instructions on how to adjust the reclining angle, or look up a video from a car seat influencer to discover how to do it. Avoid putting your baby in heavy clothing, such as coats or blankets. They could impede an appropriate fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their necks and chests.
Many parents are reluctant to change their child's position from a rear-facing position to a forward-facing one because they worry the force of a crash could cause the baby to lose their legs and feet, or that their neck and head might be thrown violently forward in a side impact. However, it's important to remember that the rear-facing position provides much greater protection than the forward-facing position.
A video by an influencer of car seats shows an infant in a forward-facing car seat being tossed around violently in a crash simulator. The head injury that results is horrific. But the video of the same crash from the rear-facing car seat not nearly as bad because the head of the child is cradled within the shell of the car seat.
So, if your state law requires you to change your child's face forward do not follow it! This is not in line with the best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should be rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or height for the car seat.
Forward-Facing
Car seats for infants are designed for newborns and infants. Harnesses help secure them to the seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle of the headrest and stroller attachments, based on the car seat. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and the majority of children will outgrow them before they're ready to switch to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's normal for parents to would like to change their child's behavior whenever they can The current law requires that children 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 caused by a rear-end collision. This is caused when a child moves forward in the event of an accident.
If a baby is caught in a frontal crash the spinal cord could be stretched and torn and cause paralysis or even death. If a child is looking backwards in a car their neck bones are kept together and secured by the harness, preventing this type of injury.
In addition, infants facing the rear are less likely to be placed in the back seat of the vehicle during an accident. They are also less likely to be injured by a seat belt that stretches across their chests, as opposed to their necks in the event of a collision.
rear facing infant car seat must ensure that their child is in the correct car seat for the size. Refer to the car seat instructions from the manufacturer and the owner's manual for your vehicle prior to making a decision. It's also a good idea to visit a reputable car seat technician in your local area for expert assistance and advice.
If an infant is outgrowing their car seat, they may move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that begins in the rear-facing position, and then shifts to forward-facing after they've reached their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat with lap-sash adult seatbelts when they've reached the recommended age and weight.
Convertible
Many new parents are confused when it comes to choosing between a car seat for infants and a convertible one. Both have advantages but which one is best for your family? A car seat for infants is ideal for infants However, if you're looking for something that lasts 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. Based on the model, they can be used for children as young as late elementary school. Certain rear-facing car seats have greater weight and size limitations than the infant car seats that allow for more use.
If you opt for a convertible infant car seat Be sure to verify whether it has removable newborn inserts that provide a snug and secure fit for your baby. These sturdy pads raise the baby's body so they can reach the lowest slots for straps and push them slightly forward so that they can prevent their heads from slapping against the harness straps.
Infant car seats are also likely to have a handle that parents use to transfer between cars and can click into strollers to create a transport system. This feature allows you to transfer your car to your stroller, without disturbing your baby for trips to the grocery store or mall, or for doctor visits.
Your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat. This could happen when they reach their weight or height limit. Most experts agree it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat once your child's head is within 1 inch of the top edge of the seat. Check the instruction manual to ensure your child is in the right place.
Convertible car seats might seem more expensive than the infant car seats initially however, they could be more affordable over time since you can use them for many years. Additionally, some models come with lower anchors that permit the installation of these seats with less force than traditional car seats, which can reduce injuries in a crash.
Safety Ratings
When you are shopping for an infant car seat, safety is top of mind. All baby car seats must meet the safety standards of the federal government, but some exceed the norm to provide extra peace of mind for parents.
Premium features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread adjustable harnesses can help to ensure that your child's safety is kept in mind. Load legs that brace the seat's base and reduce the force in a crash are also available.
An effective method to determine the safety of an infant car seat is before purchasing it is to review its crash test ratings and reviews. However it is important to remember that the most important factor in determining how safe an infant car seat is actually how it is used. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats are caused by misuse -- either improper installation or improper restraint of the child -but not the actual performance of the seat in a crash.
To be sure you're using an infant car seat correctly, choose one that has a clear instruction manual and plenty of indicators that it is secure and level, including bubbles on the base that inform you EXACTLY where to place the seat. When installing the seat tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. The ratcheting sound that it makes when you tighten is a good indication.
Also, when you're out and about with your infant in car seats, don't leave it unattended, even when 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 rough surface could also lead to injuries and falls. Car seats that tip over or roll can cause injuries or even death to babies.
While the decision between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat may feel like it's all about price at this point, keep in mind that you will require an additional booster seat at some time. Select 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.