20 Things That Only The Most Devoted Infant Car Seat Newborn Fans Should Know
Infant Car Seat – What You Need to Know Most baby car seats can be detached from their base and slid into a stroller that is compatible to make it easy to transport. This makes them very popular for parents who plan to frequently travel out of town. Regardless of which car seat inserts for newborns of car seat you choose Dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders. Bulky clothing or blankets can interfere with a snug harness fit. Rear-Facing Infant car seats, also referred to as convertible car seats with an inclination to the rear designed to accommodate newborns and small children up to a certain weight and height limit specified 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 babies ride rear-facing until they attain their weight or height limits for the car seat or the weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your baby to be rear facing for longer, up to age 4 or 5 (depending on the model). The majority of manufacturers have their car seats designed with the ability to adjust the reclining angle. be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from falling backwards when the car is stopped. You can refer to the manual that comes with your car seat to learn how to adjust the angle or view a YouTube video of a car seat influencer. It is also important to avoid putting your baby in bulky clothes, such as coats or blankets, because they can prevent the snug fit of the harness and block airflow around the baby's neck and chest. Many parents are hesitant about changing their child's rear-facing position to forward-facing. They worry that the force of the crash could eject their baby's legs or feet, or that their neck and head could be violently thrown forward during an accident that is side-to-side. It's important to remember that rear-facing provides a much better level of protection than forward-facing. A video made by a car seat influencer depicts an infant in a forward-facing car seat being thrown around violently in a crash simulator. The head injury that occurs is terrifying. However, the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat not as severe, because a child's head is held in the car seat's shell. If your state requires that you face your child forward, ignore it. This is not in line with the best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should remain rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat. Forward-Facing Infant car seats are made to cradle newborns and infants, with harnesses that help keep them in the car seat. Parents may be able adjust the headrest, recline angle and stroller attachments, based on the car seat. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit 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 would like to change their child's behavior as soon as they can, the current standard mandates that children who are less than one year old of age must be rear-facing in a car seat until they're 20 pounds and 1 year of age. This is because infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough to handle the force of the rear-end crash that occurs when a baby is pushed forward in a crash. If a baby's neck is forced forward in an accident in front the spinal cord may stretch and tear, which could result in paralysis or even death. If a child is facing backwards while driving the neck bones are held together and protected by the harness, preventing this kind of injury. In addition, rear-facing infants are less likely to be to be thrown into the back of the car in an accident. In the event of a collision, they are less likely to be injured by a seatbelt that is positioned across their chests rather than their necks. Considering these risks It is crucial parents adhere to the safety guidelines for car seats and ensure that their child is using the right car seat for their size. Always refer to the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and vehicle owner's manual when making an important decision. You can also seek expert advice from a technician for car seats who is accredited in your area. When an infant outgrows their car seat, they may move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that begins in the rear-facing position 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 split between a baby car seat or a convertible. Both have their benefits but which is the right choice for your family? An infant car seat is ideal for infants, but if you want something that will last for several years it is likely that a convertible would be more suitable. Convertible infant car seats can be converted from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. Based on the model, they are able to fit children from infancy to late elementary school. Some have higher weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than infant car seats, which allows them to be used for longer. If you opt for convertible infant car seats, be sure to check whether it has removable newborn inserts that help to ensure a snug and secure fit for your baby. These pads are firm and lift the infant's body up so that they can get to the lowest slots for straps and push them slightly forward to stop their heads from hitting the straps on their harness. Some infant car seats have a handle to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Others can be clicked into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature makes it easy to go from your car to your stroller without waking your baby for trips to the supermarket, mall, or doctor visits. Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This can happen when they reach their weight or height limit. Most experts agree it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat when your child's head is within 1 inch of the top edge of the seat. Consult your seat's instruction manual to make sure your child is prepared. Convertible car seats may seem more expensive than baby car seats at first, but they can be more affordable over time since you can use them for many years. Additionally, some models have lower anchors that allow you to install them with less force than traditional seats, which could reduce injuries in the event of a crash. Safety Ratings When shopping for an infant car seat, safety should be top of mind. All car seats for infants are required to meet federal safety standards. However, some go beyond the minimum requirements to give parents additional peace of mind. Premium features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread adjustable harnesses can help to ensure your child's safety maintained. Other useful tools, such as load legs that brace the bottom of the seat and help reduce the impact force in a crash are also available. Checking the crash test ratings and reviews of an infant car seat can aid in determining its safety prior to purchasing. It is essential to remember that the use of a car seat for infants will determine how safe it is. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, most accidents that involve infant car seats stem from improper use — or in the case of an inadequate installation or improper restraint of the child — and not the actual performance of the seat in a crash. To ensure that you're using a car seat for your infant correctly, choose one that comes with an easy-to-read instructions manual and lots of indicators that it is solid and level, with bubbles on the base that tell you EXACTLY where to place the seat. When installing the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. A good indicator of this is the sound that it makes when you tighten. Also, when you're out and about with your child in a car seat, never leave it unattended, even if you are just running into the store or a quick visit to the park. It is not only dangerous in the event of a crash and leaving your infant car seat or infant carrier on a rough surface could cause injuries and falls. Seats or carriers that tip over or roll can cause injury or death to babies. You will need an additional car seat at some time. To save money in the future opt for an all-in-one or convertible car seat that gives you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.