Is Infant Car Seat Newborn The Greatest Thing There Ever Was?
Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can be detached from their base, and snapped into a stroller that is compatible for easy transportation. This makes them popular with parents planning to travel frequently out of the city.
No matter which car seat you pick make sure your child is dressed in clothes that allow the harness straps to comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders. The bulky clothing or blankets could interfere with a snug harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats that have an open rear position) are designed to accommodate infants and children up to the weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert to ensure that the head of a baby is securely placed inside the seat shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that infants ride rear-facing until they reach their weight or height limits for the car seat or the weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first. Some 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 car seat manufacturers offer an adjustable reclining angle that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's back from sliding forward when the vehicle slows down. You can either read the manual that comes with your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle, or view a video made by an influencer of your car seat. Do not place your baby in bulky clothing such as coats or blankets. They can prevent an appropriate fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their chest and neck.
Many parents aren't comfortable switching their child from rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the impact force could throw their child's legs or feet, or their neck and head could be hurled forward violently in an accident that is side-to-side. It's important to remember that the rear-facing position offers much greater protection than forward-facing.
A video by a car seat influencer shows an infant sitting in a forward-facing car seat being thrown around violently in an accident simulator. The resulting head injury is a gruesome injury to the head. But the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat is not as severe, because a child's head is cradled in the shell of the car seat.
So, if your state law requires you to turn your child's face forward do not follow it! This is not in accordance with the best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should be rear-facing until they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are made specifically for infants and newborns. Harnesses assist in securing them to the seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle of the headrest and stroller attachments based on the type of car seat. Most infant car seats come with a maximum weight and height 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 quickly 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 one year old. The reason is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash from an accident that rears them, which occurs when a child turns into the opposite direction in an accident.
If a baby's neck gets moved forward in an accident that is frontal the spinal cord could stretch and tear, which could result in paralysis or even death. But, if a child is seated backwards in a car, the neck bones stay together and are protected by straps of the harness, which help prevent this kind of injury.
In addition, rear-facing infants are less likely to be to be thrown into the back of the vehicle during an accident. In the event of a collision they are less likely to be injured by a seat belt that is positioned across their chests rather than their necks.
Parents must ensure that their child is in the right car seat that is suitable for his or the size. Always refer to the instructions of the manufacturer's car seat and vehicle owner's manual when making a decision. It's also a good idea to visit an accredited car seat technician in your area for professional help and advice.
When a baby grows out of their car seat, they can upgrade to a convertible car seat. These seats are designed to start in the rear-facing direction and switch to forward-facing when they reach their weight and height limits. Once they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster with lap-sash belts.
Convertible
Many new parents are torn when it comes to choosing between an infant car seat and convertible ones. infant car seat in front seat have advantages, but which one is best for your family? An infant car seat is ideal for infants however if you are looking for something that will last several years then a convertible may be a better option.
Convertible infant car seats can be converted 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. Some models have higher weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than car seats for infants, allowing them to last longer.
If you choose to purchase a convertible infant car seat make sure to determine whether it comes with removable infant inserts that can ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your baby. These firm pads lift the infant's body up so that they can reach the lowest slots for straps, and then push them forward slightly so that they can prevent their heads from colliding with the harness straps.
Infant car seats also tend to have a handle that parents use to move between cars and can be connected to strollers to form a travel system. This feature allows you to easily transfer your car to a stroller, without having to wake your baby.
Your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat. This could happen when they reach their weight limit or height. Many experts agree that it's the right time to transition to a convertible car seat when the head is within one inch of the top of the seat, but be sure to consult your seat's manual to make sure your child is ready.
Convertible car seats might seem more expensive than the infant car seats initially however they can turn out to be more affordable over time since you can use them for a number of years. Additionally, certain models have lower anchors that allow you to install them using less force than traditional seats, which could minimize injuries from the event of a crash.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the first thing to think about when buying an infant car seats. All infant car seats must meet federal safety standards, but some exceed the norm to provide additional security for parents.
Premium features such as anti-rebound bars as well as no-rethread adjustable harnesses are a great way to ensure your child's safety maintained. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the bottom of the seat and reduce the impact force in a crash are also available.
Examining the crash test ratings and reviews of a baby car seat can help you determine the safety of the product before purchasing. However, it's important to remember that the most important factor in determining the safety of an infant car seat is actually how it is used. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, most accidents that involve infant car seats result from improper use -- or in the case of an improper installation or improper restraint of a childbut not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.
If you want to make certain that you are using your infant car seat correctly then look for one that has an easy-to-read manual, plenty of indicators that the seat is level and secure and bubbles on the bottom that will show you EXACTLY how to position it. When installing the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. A good indicator of this is the ratcheting sound it produces when you tighten.
Even if you're merely going to the market or making a quick trip to the park, it's not a good idea to leave your infant in the car. In addition to being an extremely dangerous idea in the event of a crash, leaving an infant car seat or a carrier on a hard surface outside the vehicle is a risky option that could result in falls and injuries. Car seats that tip or roll can cause injury or death to infants.
While the choice between an infant car seat and a convertible car seat or all-in-one car seat might seem like it boils down to the cost but keep in mind that you will require an additional booster seat at some point. Choose a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to save money over the long term. These seats provide more options and last longer than infant car seats.