15 Things You've Never Known About Infant Car Seat Newborn
Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
The majority of baby car seats can be removed from their base, and snapped into a stroller compatible with them for easy transportation. This feature makes them popular for parents who plan to take frequent trips out of town.
Dress your baby in clothes so that the harness straps comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders, regardless of which car seat type you pick. Bulky clothing or blankets can interfere with a snug harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats (also called convertible car seats that have a rear-facing position) are designed to support infants and children up to the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. They usually include an infant insert to ensure that the baby's head is comfortable in the seat's shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that children remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight or height limits of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your child to be rear facing for longer, until about age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).
The majority of manufacturers create car seats with a reclining angle that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from sliding forward when the vehicle is stopped. You'll need to study your car seat's manual for instructions on how to adjust the reclining angle or find a video from an influencer of your car seat to learn how. Avoid putting your infant in heavy clothing, such as coats or blankets. They can prevent an appropriate fit of the harness and block airflow around their chest and neck.
Many parents aren't comfortable switching their child from a rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the impact force could eject their baby's legs or feet, or their neck and head may be violently thrown forward in a side-impact. It's crucial to remember that the position of rear-facing provides more protection than the forward-facing position.
A video by an influencer of car seats shows a child sitting in a forward-facing car seat violently tossed about in a crash simulation. The resulting head injury is a gruesome injury to the head. The video of the same incident from the rear-facing seat isn't as horrific because the child's head is held by the shell.
If your state requires that you face your child in the opposite direction, do not follow it. This is not in line 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
Infant car seats are made to cradle newborns and infants with harnesses that to secure them in the seat. Depending on the model of the car seat, parents may be capable of adjusting the recline angle and headrest to suit their child's needs, as well as choose from several 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 ready to be switched to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's understandable for parents to are eager to get their child back as soon as they can however, the current norm states that kids under one year of age must be rear-facing in car seats until they reach 20 pounds and one year old. The reason is that neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by a rear-end collision. This occurs when a child turns forward in the event of an accident.
If a baby's neck is moved forward in an accident in front the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which can cause paralysis or even death. If a child is facing backwards while driving, their neck bones are held together and protected by 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 during an accident. In a collision, they're less likely to get injured by a seat belt that is positioned across their chests instead of their necks.
With these risks in mind, it's vital parents adhere to the safety guidelines for car seats and ensure their child is using the right car seat for their size. Refer to the instructions for your car seat 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 certified car seat technician in your local area for expert assistance and advice.
When a baby grows out of their car seat, he or she can upgrade to convertible car seats. These seats start in the rear-facing direction and then switch to forward-facing once they reach their weight and height limits. When rear facing infant car seat pushchairsandprams reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster with a lap-sash seatbelt.
Convertible
Many new parents are confused when it comes to choosing between a car seat for infants and convertible seats. Both have their benefits, but which is the right choice for your family? An infant car seat is perfect for infants, but if you want something that will last for several years it is likely that a convertible would be more suitable.
As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be changed from rear-facing to front-facing. They are able to accommodate children from infancy until late elementary school, based on the model you select. Some have heavier weight and height limits in the rear position than infant car seats, which allows them to last longer.
Check if the convertible infant car seat has removable infant inserts that will ensure a snug fit for your child. These paddings raise the infant's torso so they can reach the lowest strap slots, and it pushes them forward a bit to prevent their head from slipping back against the harness straps or the seat's crotch buckle (which puts them at risk for positional asphyxia).
Infant car seats also tend to have a handle that parents use to move them between vehicles and can be inserted into strollers to create a transport system. This feature lets you effortlessly transfer from your car to a stroller without wake up your baby.
Your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat. This could occur when they reach their weight or height limit. The majority of experts agree that 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. Check the instruction manual to ensure that your child is in the right place.
While convertible car seats can seem more expensive upfront than infant car seats however, they could be less expensive in the long term because you'll be able to use them for a long time. Certain models also have lower anchors which allow for easier installation. This can reduce the risk of injuries in a crash.
Safety Ratings
When shopping for an infant car seat, safety is the top priority. All car seats for infants are required to conform to the safety standards set by the federal government. However some go above the minimum requirements to give parents additional peace of mind.
Premium features such as anti-rebound bars as well as no-rethread adjustable harnesses can help to ensure that your child's safety is kept in mind. Load legs, which support the base of the seat and reduce the force in a crash are also available.
One way to find out how safe an infant car seat is prior to buying it is to look up its crash test ratings and reviews. However, it's important to remember that the most important aspect in determining the safety of an infant car seat is actually the way it is used. According to our conversations, the majority of accidents that occur in infant car seats are the result of misuse -- either unsafe installations or improper restraints for the child.
To ensure that you're using an infant car seat properly, search for one with a easy-to-read instruction manual and plenty of indicators that it is safe and level, such as bubbles on the base that inform you EXACTLY where to place the seat. When installing the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten is an excellent indication.
Finally, when you're out and about with your child in a car seat, do not leave it unattended, even when you're just going to the store or a quick trip to the park. It is not only dangerous in the event of a crash, but leaving an infant carrier or car seat on a rough surface could cause injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that are prone to tipping over or roll could also cause injuries to babies or, worse yet, suffocate them.
While the decision between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat might seem like it's all about price at this point, keep in mind that you will need an additional booster seat at some point. 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 an infant car seat.