Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

The majority of baby car seats can be dismantled from their base and snapped into a stroller compatible with them to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them popular with parents who intend to take frequent trips out of town.

Regardless of which type of car seat you select, dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to fit comfortably over their hips and shoulders. Bulky clothing or blankets can hinder a secure harness fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats (also called convertible car seats with a rear-facing position) are designed to accommodate infants and children up to the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. They typically include an infant insert to make sure the baby's head is comfortable inside the shell of the seat.

The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that babies remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight or height limit of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in one car seats let your child remain rear-facing for 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 sliding forward when the vehicle stops. You can read the instruction manual for your car seat to learn how to adjust the angle, or watch a video by an influencer of your car seat. It's also important to avoid putting your baby in bulky clothing, like blankets and coats because they can hinder an ideal fit for the harness and cut off airflow around the baby's neck and chest.

Many parents are hesitant to change their child's position from rear-facing to forward-facing because they worry the impact force could throw the child's legs and feet, or that their neck and head might be thrown violently forward in a side impact. It's crucial to remember that the rear-facing position provides much greater protection than forward-facing.

A video by a car seat influencer shows a child in a forward-facing car seat being violently tossed about in the crash simulation. The resultant head injury is a gruesome injury to the head. The video of the same crash from the rear seat is not as bad because the child's head is being held by the shell.

If your state law requires you to turn your child to forward-facing do not follow it! This does not line up with the best practices, which is the reason why the AAP and NHTSA are now in agreement that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first.

Forward-Facing

Infant car Seat newborn car seats are made to protect infants and newborns with harnesses that secure them in the seat. Parents may be able adjust the headrest, recline angle and stroller attachments, based on the model of car seat. Most infant car seats have a maximum weight and height and the majority of children will outgrow these seats before they are ready to switch to a forward facing car seat.

While it's understandable that parents want to get their child back whenever they can however, the current norm states that children under one year of age must remain rear-facing in a car seat until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year of age. This is because infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough to withstand the whiplash that comes with a rear-end crash, which is what happens when a baby is pushed forward during an accident.

If a baby's neck is thrust forward during an accident in front the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which could result in paralysis or even death. If a child is facing backwards in the newborn car seat insert the neck bones are kept together and protected by the harness, which prevents this type of injury.

Additionally, infants who are rear-facing are less likely to be thrown into the back seat of the car in an accident. They're also less likely be injured by the seat belts that stretch across their chests rather than their necks in a collision.

Parents must ensure that their child is using the correct car seat that is suitable for his or their size. Check the car seat instructions from the manufacturer and the owner's manual of your vehicle before making a decision. You can also seek professional advice from a certified car seat technician who is certified in your area.

When an infant outgrows their car seat, they can change to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that starts in the rear-facing location and then shifts to forward-facing after 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 belts.

Convertible

Many new parents are confused when it comes to choosing between a car seat for infants and convertible seats. Both have their advantages, but which is the best choice for your family? A convertible car seat is an excellent option for a long-lasting infant car seat.

Convertible infant car seat rear facing car seats change 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 come with greater weight and size limitations than the infant car seat which allows for more time of use.

Find out if the convertible infant car seat uk car seat has removable inserts for newborns to ensure a secure fit for your child. These sturdy pads raise the infant's body so that they can get to the lowest slots for straps and move them forward a bit so that they can prevent their heads from colliding with the straps of their harness.

Car seats for infants also tend to have a handle that parents use to move between cars and can be inserted into strollers to create a transport system. This feature allows you to go from your car to your stroller, without waking your baby, for trips to the supermarket, mall, or doctor visits.

In the end, however, your child will outgrow their car seats by age seat for infants or reach their weight limit or their height limit. Many 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 make sure your child is prepared.

Convertible car seats may seem more expensive than infant car seats at first however they can turn out to be more affordable over time since you can use them for a number of years. Additionally, some models have lower anchors that permit you to install them using less force than traditional seats, which can lessen the risk of injuries in the event of a crash.

Safety Ratings

When you are shopping for an infant car seat, safety should be top of mind. All infant car seats have to meet the safety standards set by the federal government. However, some go beyond the minimum requirements to give parents extra security.

High-end features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread harnesses are a great way to ensure your child's safety maintained. Other useful tools, like load legs that brace the bottom of the seat and reduce the impact force of a crash are available as well.

One way to find out how safe an infant car seat is before purchasing it is to review its crash test ratings and reviews. It is essential to keep in mind that the use of an infant car seat will determine how safe it is. Based on our conversations the majority of accidents involving infant car seats are caused by misuse -- either incorrect installations or improper restraints of the child.

If you want to make certain that you're using your infant car seat correctly then look for one that has an easy-to-read manual, plenty of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles on the bottom that show you EXACTLY how to position it. Make sure you be sure to secure the straps 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.

Even if you're just running to the market or taking a short trip to the park, you shouldn't leave your child unattended in a car. It is not only dangerous in a car crash, but leaving an infant car seat or baby carrier on a rough surface could cause injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tilt or roll over can cause injuries to babies, or worse, suffocate them.

You will need an additional car seats by age seat at some time. Choose a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to save money over the long term. These seats will offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.