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Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
The majority of infant car seats can be detached from their base and slid into a compatible stroller for easy transport. This makes them popular with parents planning to take frequent trips out of the city.
Regardless of which type of car seat you choose make sure your child is dressed in clothes that allow the harness straps to fit comfortably over their hips and shoulders. Large blankets and clothes can make it difficult to get a snug fit.
infant car seat rear facing -Facing
Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats with rear-facing positions) are designed to support infants and children up to the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. These car seats typically include an infant insert that ensures the baby's head is comfortable in the seat's shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that infants ride rear-facing until they attain their weight or height limits for car seats or the weight limit for the car seat, whichever is 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 design their car seats with an angle of reclining that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from sliding forward when the vehicle is stopped. You can read the instruction manual for your car seat to find out how to adjust the angle, or view a video made by a car seat influencer. Do not place your baby in heavy clothing, such as blankets or coats. They could impede an ideal fit of the harness and block airflow around their chest and neck.
Many parents are reluctant to let their children change from rear-facing to forward-facing because they fear that the force of a crash will throw the child's feet and legs, or that their head and neck could be thrown forward violently in a collision with a side. But, it's important to keep in mind that the rear-facing position offers much greater protection than the forward-facing one.
A video from an influencer of car seats shows a child in the forward-facing car seat being violently tossed about in a crash simulation. The head injury that follows is terrifying. However, the video of the same accident from the rear-facing car seat not nearly as horrific, because a child's head is held in the shell of the car seat.
So, if your state law requires you to change your child's back, ignore it! This is not in accordance with best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should remain rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or height for the car seat.
Forward-Facing
Car seats for infants are designed to hold infants and newborns, with harnesses that help secure them in the seat. Parents may be able adjust the headrest, recline angle, and stroller attachments depending on the type of car seat. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and most children will outgrow them before they're ready to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
It's natural for parents to want to change their baby's position as quickly as they can, but the current standard requires that children less than one year old stay rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and are one year old. This is due to the fact that infants' neck muscles aren't strong enough to handle the whiplash that comes with a rear-end crash, which is what happens when a baby turns forward in a crash.
If a baby's neck is forced forward in an accident in front, the spinal cord can stretch and tear, which could result in paralysis or even death. But, if a child is seated backwards in the car the neck bones remain together and are protected by the straps of the harness, which help prevent this kind of injury.
Rear-facing babies are also less likely to be in the rear of the car in an accident. In the event of a collision they're less likely to be injured by a seatbelt that is positioned across their chests rather than their necks.
Parents must ensure that their child is using the correct car seat for her size. Always consult the instructions for car seats from the manufacturer and the vehicle owner's manual before making a decision. It's also a good idea to visit a certified car seat technician in your local area for professional help and advice.
When a baby outgrows their car seat, they may move to a convertible or an all-in-one car seat that is designed to start in the rear-facing position and then transitions to forward-facing once they've reached their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster using lap-sash belts.
Convertible
Many new parents are confused when it comes to choosing between an infant car seat and convertible seats. Both have their benefits however, which is the right choice for your family? A car seat for infants is perfect for infants However, if you're looking for something that will last many years, a convertible is probably more suitable.
As your child grows and becomes a convertible infant car seat, they can be moved from front-facing to rear-facing. They can accommodate kids from infancy through the end of elementary school, based on the model you choose. Some rear-facing car seats have higher weight and size limits than the infant car seat that allow for more use.
Make sure that the convertible car seat is equipped with removable infant inserts that will ensure a secure fit for your child. These firm pads lift the infant's body so that they can reach the lowest slots for straps, and then move them forward a bit in order to prevent their heads from colliding with the harness straps.
Infant car seats are also likely to have a handle parents use to transfer them between vehicles, and some of them can be inserted into strollers to form a travel system. This feature allows you to easily transfer from your car to a stroller without wake up your baby.
Your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat. This can happen when they reach their weight or height limit. Many experts agree that it's the right time to switch to a convertible seat when the head is within one inch of the top of the seat, but be sure to consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is in the right place.
While convertible car seats can appear more expensive initially than car seats for infants but they can be more affordable in the long run since you'll be able to use them for a long time. 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
Safety is the primary factor to think about when buying infant car seats. All baby car seats must meet federal safety standards, however some surpass the minimum requirements to provide extra security for parents.
Premium features, like adjustable no-rethread harnesses and anti-rebound bars, can help ensure that your child is secure correctly and securely. Load legs that brace the base of the seat and reduce the force in the event of a crash, are also available.
Reviewing crash test ratings and reviews of an infant car seat can help you determine its safety before you purchase. However it's important to keep in mind that the most important factor in determining the safety of an infant car seat is the way it is used. According to our conversations, the majority of accidents involving infant car seats are caused by improper use, either through improper installation or inadequate restraints for the child.
If you'd like to be certain that you're using your infant car seat correctly then look for one with a simple manual, plenty of indicators that the seat is secure and level and bubbles on the bottom that will show you EXACTLY how to position it. When you install the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. One good sign of this is the ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten.
Even if you're just going to the grocery store or making a quick trip to the park, you shouldn't leave your infant unattended in the car. It's not only an unwise decision in the event of the event of a crash, leaving your infant car seat or carrier on a rough surface outside of your vehicle is a dangerous practice that could result in injuries and falls. Car seats and carriers that are prone to tipping over or roll could also hit and injure babies, or worse, suffocate them.
While the choice between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat may feel like it's all about the cost but keep in mind that you'll need an additional booster seat at some point. Choose a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to save money in the long term. These seats will offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.
