Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
The majority of infant car seats can be dismantled from their base, and then reassembled into a stroller compatible with them to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them popular with parents planning to travel frequently out of the city.
Whatever type of car seat you choose, dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips. Large blankets or clothing can interfere with a snug harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats that have rear-facing positions) are designed to support infants and children up to the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They typically come with an infant insert that ensures a newborn's head is comfortably inside the shell of the seat.
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, whichever comes first. Certain convertible and all-in one car seats allow your child to ride rear-facing for longer up to age 4 or 5.
Most manufacturers have their car seats designed with an angle of reclining that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from sliding backwards when the car is stopped. You can refer to the manual for your car seat to find out how to adjust the angle, or view a YouTube video of an influencer for your car seat. Avoid putting your infant in bulky clothing like coats or blankets. They could hinder a snug fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their chest and neck.
Many parents are reluctant to switch their children from rear-facing to forward-facing as they are concerned that the impact force could eject the baby's feet and legs or that their neck and head might be thrown violently forward in a collision with a side. Pushchairs & Prams to keep in mind that rear-facing provides a greater level of protection than forward-facing.
A video from a car seat influencer shows a child in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed in a crash simulation. The head injury that follows is horrifying. The video of the same incident from the rear seat isn't as horrific because the child's head is being held by the shell.
If your state law requires you to turn your child's back do not follow it! This is not in accordance with best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should stay 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 car seat parents might be in a position to adjust the headrest and recline angle for their child's comfort, and also select from several attachments for the stroller of their baby. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit and the majority of children will outgrow them before they are ready to move to a forward facing car seat.
While it's understandable that parents are eager to turn their child around as soon as they can, the current standard mandates that children under one year of age must remain rear-facing in car seats until they reach 20 pounds and one year old. The reason is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by a rear-end collision, which is caused when a child moves forward in the event of an accident.
If a baby is being thrown forward during a collision with a car, the spinal chord can be stretched and strained and cause paralysis or even death. If a child is facing backwards in a car their neck bones are held together and protected by the harness, preventing this type of injury.
Rear-facing infants are also less likely to end up in the back of the car during an accident. In the event of a collision they're less likely to get injured by a seat belt that is positioned across their chests rather than their necks.
With these risks in mind, it's vital parents adhere to the safety guidelines for car seats and ensure that their child is in the right car seat for their height. Check the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer and your vehicle's owner's manual before making a decision. You can also seek professional advice from a car seat technician who is accredited in your area.
If an infant is out of their car seat, they can upgrade to a convertible car seat. These seats are designed to start in the rear-facing mode and then switch to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age they can upgrade to a booster with lap-sash seatbelts.
Convertible
Many new parents are torn between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible. Both have advantages, but which one is best for your family? A convertible car seat is a fantastic option for a durable car seat for infants.
Convertible infant car seats change from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. This allows them to fit children from the age of infancy to late elementary school, depending on the model you choose. Some rear-facing car seats have larger weight and size restrictions than the infant car seat which allows for more time of use.
Find out if the convertible infant car seat comes with removable infant inserts that will ensure a snug fit for your child. These firm pads lift the infant's body so that they can fit into the smallest slots for straps and move them forward a bit in order to prevent their heads from hitting the harness straps.
Some infant car seats come with handles to make it easier to move between vehicles. Others can be clicked into strollers, creating a transport system. This feature allows you to move from your car to your stroller without disturbing your baby for trips to the grocery store, mall, or doctor visits.
Eventually, though, your child will outgrow the car seat they were in as infants or reach their weight limit or height limit. Most experts agree that it's time to switch to a convertible car seat when their head is within an inch of the top of the seat, but be sure to consult your seat's manual to make sure your child is in the right place.
Convertible car seats can appear more expensive than the infant car seats initially, but they can be cheaper over time because you can use them for a long time. Additionally, certain models come with lower anchors that permit the installation of these seats with less force than traditional seats, which could lessen the risk of injuries in an accident.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the primary factor to think about when buying an infant car seats. All baby car seats must meet the safety standards of the federal government, but some exceed the norm to provide extra security for parents.
High-end features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread adjustable harnesses can help to ensure your child's safety maintained. Load legs, which brace the seat's base and reduce the force in the event of a crash, are also available.
Checking the crash test ratings and reviews of a car seat for infants will aid in determining its safety prior to purchasing. However, it's important to remember that the most crucial factor in determining how safe an infant car seat is how it's used. Based on our conversations most accidents involving infant car seats are caused by negligence, whether it's due to incorrect installations or improper restraints of the child.
To be sure you're using an infant car seat correctly, look for one that comes with an easy-to-read instruction manual as well as plenty of indicators to show it's solid and level, with bubbles at the base which tell you EXACTLY where to position the seat. Make sure you securely secure the straps to the chest and abdomen of your child before you install it. A good indication of this is the sound that it makes as you tighten.
Also, 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 shop or taking a short visit to the park. In addition to being an unwise decision in the event of a crash, leaving an infant car seat or carrier on a rough surface outside of your vehicle is a risky practice that can result in falls and injuries. Car seats and carriers that tilt or roll over can also hit and injure babies, or worse, suffocate them.
While the choice between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat might seem like it comes down to price at this point, keep in mind that you'll need an additional booster seat at some time. 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.