Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

Most infant car seats can be detached from their base and then reassembled into a stroller that is compatible to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them very popular with parents planning to travel frequently outside of the city.

Whatever type of car seat you select Dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips. Large blankets or clothing can hinder a secure harness fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats, also known as convertible car seat with an inclination to the rear are designed to fit newborns and small children as long as they meet the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. These car seats typically come with an infant insert that ensures the head of a newborn is securely positioned within the seat's shell.

The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that babies remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight limit or height limit of their car seat. Some convertible or all-in-one car seats allow your child to ride rear facing even longer, right up to 4 or 5 (depending on the model).

The majority of car seats have an adjustable reclining angle that can be adjusted in order to stop the baby's back from sliding forward when the car stops. You'll need to read the manual of your car seat to determine how to adjust the reclining angle, or watch a video by a car seat influencer to discover how to do it. It is also important to avoid putting your baby in bulky clothing such as coats or blankets because they can hinder a snug harness fit and block airflow around the infant's chest and neck.

Many parents are hesitant to switch their children from a rear-facing position to a forward-facing one because they worry the impact force could eject the baby's legs and feet or that their neck and head could be thrown forward violently in a side impact. However, it's important to remember that the rear-facing position provides more protection than forward-facing.

A video by an influencer for car seats shows a child sitting in a forward-facing car seat violently tossed in the crash simulation. The head injury that follows is horrifying. But the video of the same accident from the rear-facing car seat is not as severe, because a child's head is cradled in the car seat's shell.

If your state requires you to put your child in the opposite direction, do not follow it. This does not line up with best car seat infant practices. That is the reason why the AAP and NHTSA have now agreed that children should remain rear-facing until they hit their maximum height or weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are made to hold infants and newborns with harnesses to help secure them in 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 are designed to accommodate a maximum weight and height, and most children will outgrow them before they're ready to transition to a forward-facing car seat.

It's understandable for parents to want to turn their baby around as soon as they can however, the current law stipulates that children younger than one year old remain facing rear until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year old. This is due to the fact that infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough to handle the whiplash of the rear facing infant car seat-end crash, which is what happens when a baby turns forward during a crash.

If a child's neck is thrust forward during a frontal accident the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which could 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.

Additionally, infants who are rear-facing 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 a seat belt that stretches across their chests, as opposed to their necks in the event of a collision.

Considering these risks, it's vital parents adhere to the safety guidelines for car seats and ensure that their child is using the correct car seat for their size. Always refer to the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and vehicle owner's manual when making a decision. You can also seek expert advice from a car seat technician who is certified in your area.

When an infant grows out of their car seat, they can change to convertible car seats. These seats start in the rear-facing direction and then shift to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat that has lap-sash seatbelts for adults once they've reached their recommended weight and age.

Convertible

Many new parents are torn between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible. Both have advantages but which is the best car seats infant for your family? A car seat for infants is perfect for infants, but if you want something that lasts for several years then a convertible may be the better choice.

As your child grows in age, convertible car seats for infants can be repositioned from rear-facing to front-facing. They are able to accommodate children from infancy until late elementary school, based on the model you choose. Certain rear-facing car seats have greater weight and size limitations than infant Car seat newborn car seat which allows for more time of use.

If you choose to purchase a convertible infant car seat Be sure to verify whether it has removable newborn inserts that help ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your baby. These firm pads lift the baby's body so they can get to the lowest slots for straps and push them slightly forward in order to prevent their heads from hitting the harness straps.

Some infant car seats come with a handle that makes it easier to transfer between vehicles. Others can be clicked into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature lets you easily transfer from your car to a stroller without wake up your baby.

At some point your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat, either by reaching their weight limit or height limit. Most experts agree that it's time to switch to a convertible car seat when your child's head is within an inch of the top rated infant car seats of the seat, but be sure to refer to your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is prepared.

Although convertible car seats may seem more expensive upfront than infant car seats however, they could be less expensive in the long run since you'll be in a position to use them for many years. Some models also have lower anchors, which allow for easier installation. This could reduce the risk of injuries during an accident.

Safety Ratings

Safety is the first thing to think about when buying car seats for infants. All car seats for infants are required to conform to the safety standards set by the federal government. However some seats go above and beyond the minimum requirements to provide parents with additional peace of mind.

Premium features, such as adjustable harnesses that do not rethread and anti-rebound bars, can aid in ensuring that your child is secured correctly and securely. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the base of the seat to reduce the impact force of a crash are available as well.

One way to find out how secure an infant car seat is prior purchasing it is to check its crash test ratings and reviews. However it's important to keep in mind that the most crucial factor in determining the safety of an infant car seat swivel car seat is actually how it's used. According to our conversations most accidents that occur in infant car seats are caused by misuse -- either incorrect installations or improper restraints for the child.

To ensure you're using an infant car seat correctly, choose one that has a clear instruction manual and plenty of indicators that show it's secure and level, including bubbles on the base that inform you EXACTLY which position to put the seat. Make sure you securely secure the straps to the chest and abdomen of your child when you install it. A good indication of this is the ratcheting sound it produces when you tighten.

Finally, when you're out and about with your baby in a car seat, do not leave it unattended, even if you're just going to the store or a quick visit to the park. It's not only an extremely dangerous idea in the event of the event of a crash, leaving your infant car seat or carrier on a hard surface outside the vehicle is a risky option that can lead to falls and injuries. Car seats that tilt or roll over can also cause injuries to babies or, worse yet they could even suffocate them.

While the choice between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat may feel like it comes down to cost at this point, keep in mind that you will require an additional booster seat at some time. Choose 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.