Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can be removed from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame for easy transport. This feature makes them popular with parents planning to make frequent trips out of the city.
Dress your baby in clothing that the harness straps can comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders regardless of the car seat type you pick. The bulky clothing or blankets could interfere with a snug harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, also known as convertible car seats with a rearward-facing position designed to accommodate newborns and small children up to a certain weight and height limit that is set by the manufacturer. These car seats are usually equipped with an infant insert that ensures the head of a newborn is comfortably positioned inside the seat shell.
The AAP and the 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 ride rear-facing even longer, up to age 4 or 5.
The majority of car seats have a reclining angle which can be adjusted in order to keep the baby's back from falling forward when the vehicle slows down. It is necessary to read the manual of your car seat for instructions on how to adjust the reclining angle, or watch a video by a car seat influencer to learn how. It's also important not to placing your baby in bulky clothing such as coats or blankets, because they can prevent the snug fit of the harness and cut off airflow around the baby's chest and neck.
Many parents are reluctant in switching their child from 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 that their neck and head may be violently thrown forward during a side-impact. However, it's important to keep in mind that the rear-facing position provides more protection than the forward-facing position.
A video by an influencer for car seats shows a child sitting in a forward-facing car seat violently tossed around in a crash simulation. The head injury that results is horrendous. The video of the same incident from the rear seat is not as bad because the child's head is cradled by the shell.
If your state requires you to face your child forward, ignore it. This is not in accordance with best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should be rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are designed to protect infants and newborns, with harnesses that help keep them in the car seat. Depending on the model of car seat, parents may be able to adjust the angle of recline and headrest for their child's comfort, and also select from several attachments for their stroller. 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 transition to a forward facing car seat.
It's normal for parents to want to change their baby's position as soon as they can however, the current law requires that children less than one year old remain facing rear until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year old. The reason for this is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by an accident that rears them, which is caused when a child moves forward in an accident.
If a baby is thrown forward in a frontal crash the spinal cord can be stretched and strained and cause paralysis or even death. But, if a child is seated backwards in the car the neck bones remain together and are protected by straps of the harness, which help prevent this type of injury.
Rear-facing infants are also less likely to be in the back of the car during an accident. They are also less likely to be injured by the seat belt that extends across their chests rather than their necks in a collision.
Parents must ensure that their child is using the right car seat that is suitable for his or their size. Always consult the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and the owner's manual for your vehicle when making the decision. You can also seek professional advice from a car seat technician who is certified in your region.
When a baby outgrows their car seat, they can change to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that begins in the rear-facing location and then transitions to forward-facing once they've reached their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age, they can upgrade to a booster using lap-sash seatbelts.
Convertible
Many new parents are split between a baby car seat or a convertible one. Both have their benefits, but which one is best for your family? A convertible car seat is a great option for a long-lasting infant car seat.
As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be changed from front-facing to rear-facing. Based on the model, they are able to accommodate children from infanthood to late elementary school. Some have higher weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than infant car seats, which allows them to last longer.
Check if infant car seat rear facing is equipped with removable newborn inserts to ensure a comfortable fit for your child. These pads are firm and lift the baby's body so they can get to the lowest slots for straps and push them slightly forward so that they can prevent their heads from hitting the harness straps.
Some infant car seats come with handles to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature allows you to easily transfer your car to a stroller, without having to wake your baby.
Eventually, though your child will outgrow their infant car seat, either by reaching their weight limit or height limit. Most experts agree that it's time to move to a convertible seat once the head is within one inch of the top of the seat, but be sure to refer to your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is in the right place.
Convertible car seats can appear more expensive than the infant car seats initially, but they can be less expensive over time due to the fact that they can be used for many years. Additionally, some models have lower anchors that allow you to install them using less force than traditional seats, which could lessen the risk of injuries in a crash.
Safety Ratings
When it comes to buying an infant car seat, safety is top of mind. All infant car seats have to comply with the safety standards set by the federal government. However, some go beyond 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 ensure that your child's safety is maintained. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the base of the seat to reduce the force of a crash, are also available.
A good way to determine how secure an infant car seat is prior buying it is to look up 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 is how it's used. According to our conversations, the majority of accidents that occur in infant car seats are the result of improper use, either through improper installation or inadequate restraints on the child.
To ensure you're using an infant car seat properly, search for one that has a clear instructions manual and lots of indicators that it is solid and level, with bubbles at the base which tell you EXACTLY where to position the seat. Additionally, make sure to firmly tighten the straps to the abdomen and chest of your baby when you install it. A good indication of this is the sound that it makes as you tighten.
Finally, when you're out and about with your infant in a car seat, do not leave it unattended, even when you are just running into the store or a quick excursion to the park. It's not only an extremely dangerous idea in the event of the event of a crash, leaving an infant car seat or carrier on a hard surface outside of the vehicle is a risky practice that could result in injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that roll or tip over can cause injuries or even death to infants.
You will require an additional car seat at some point. Choose a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat to save money over the long term. These seats will provide more options and last longer than infant car seats.