The Secret Secrets Of Infant Car Seat Newborn
Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
The majority of infant car seats detach from their base and snap into a stroller frame for easy transport. This makes them very popular with parents who plan to take frequent trips out of town.
Whatever type of car seat you pick, dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips. The weight of blankets and clothing can make it difficult to get a snug fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, also known as convertible car seat with a rear-facing position are designed to fit infants and small children up to a certain weight and height limit that is set by the manufacturer. These car seats are typically equipped with an infant insert that makes sure the head of a newborn is comfortable in the seat shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that babies ride rear-facing until they reach their weight or height limits for car seats or until they reach their weight limits, whichever comes first. Some convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your child to remain rear-facing for longer, up to about age 4 or 5.
The majority of car seat manufacturers offer an adjustable reclining angle that can be adjusted in order to keep the baby's back from falling forward when the vehicle slows down. You'll need to study the manual for your car seat to figure out how to adjust the reclining angle, or watch a video by an influencer of your car seat to learn how to do it. Avoid putting your infant in heavy clothing, such as coats or blankets. They could hinder an ideal fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their necks and chests.
Many parents aren't comfortable changing their child's rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the force of the crash could eject their baby's legs or feet, or that their neck or head could be violently thrown forward in an impact from the side. It's important to keep in mind that the rear-facing position offers more protection than forward-facing.
A video by an influencer of car seats shows an infant in a forward-facing car seat being tossed around violently in a crash simulator. The head injury that results is horrifying. The video of the same incident from the seat facing rearward isn't as severe because the child's head is being held by the shell.
If your state law requires you to change your child's back, ignore it! This is not in line with the best practices, which is why the AAP and NHTSA have now agreed that children should remain rear-facing until they reach their maximum height or weight limit for the car seat, whichever comes first.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are designed to hold infants and newborns with harnesses to help secure them in the seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle of the headrest, and stroller attachments depending on the model of car seat. The majority of infant car seats are designed to accommodate an upper weight and height limit and the majority of children will outgrow them before they are ready to switch to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's normal for parents to are eager to get their child back as soon as possible, the current standard mandates that kids under one year of age must be rear-facing in a car seat until they're 20 pounds or 1 year of age. This is due to the fact that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough for the whiplash of the rear-end crash which happens when a baby turns forward during the event of a crash.
If a child is being thrown forward in a frontal collision the spinal cord can be stretched and strained which can cause paralysis or even death. But, if a child is facing backward in the car, the neck bones stay together and are protected by the straps that secure the harness, which prevents this kind of injury.
Rear-facing babies are also less likely to end up in the back of the vehicle in an accident. They're also less likely be injured by the seat belts that stretch across their chest rather than their necks in the event of a collision.
Parents must ensure that their child is using the correct car seat that is suitable for his or her size. Always consult the instructions of the manufacturer's car seat and the owner's manual for your vehicle when making a decision. It's recommended to visit a certified car seat technician in your local area for professional help and advice.
If an infant is out of their car seat, they can upgrade to a convertible car seat. These seats start in a rear-facing position and then shift to forward-facing when they reach their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat using a lap-sash seatbelts for adults once they've reached their recommended weight and age.
Convertible
Many new parents are torn when it comes to deciding between an infant car seat and convertible seats. Both have their benefits however, which one is best for your family? A car seat for infants is perfect for infants, but if you want something that lasts for several years, a convertible is probably more suitable.
Convertible infant car seats convert from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. This allows them to fit children from infancy until late elementary school, depending on the model you choose. Some rear-facing car seats have higher weight and size limits than infant car seat that allow for more use.
Find out if the convertible car seat is equipped with removable inserts for newborns to ensure a snug fit for your child. These firm padding lifts the infant's body so that they can get to the smallest strap slots, and pushes them forward slightly to prevent their head from flopping back against the straps of their harness or the buckle for the crotch (which puts them at risk of positional asphyxia).
Infant car seats also tend to have a handle that parents use to move between cars, and some of them can be inserted into strollers to form a travel system. This feature makes it easy to move from your car to your stroller without waking your baby for trips to the supermarket mall, the doctor's office, or visits.
At infant carrier seat will eventually outgrow their car 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 ensure your child is ready.
Convertible car seats can appear more expensive than the infant car seats initially however they can turn out to be cheaper over time because you can use them for a number of years. Certain models also have lower anchors which make it easier to install. This can reduce the chance of injury in an accident.
Safety Ratings
When shopping for an infant car seat, safety should be the top priority. All car seats for infants are required to comply with the safety standards set by the federal government. However, some go beyond the minimum requirements to provide parents with additional peace of mind.
High-end features like anti-rebound bars as well as no-rethread adjustable harnesses can help to ensure that your child's safety is ensured. Load legs, which support the seat's base and reduce the force in the event of a crash, are also available.
Checking the crash test ratings and reviews of a car seat for infants can aid in determining its safety before you purchase. However it's important to keep in mind that the most important factor in determining how safe an infant car seat is actually the way it is used. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, most accidents that involve infant car seats are caused by negligence -- either incorrect installation or inadequate restraint of the child -- and not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.
To ensure that you're using an infant car seat correctly, choose one that has a clear instruction manual and plenty of indicators to show it's secure and level, including bubbles at the base which tell you EXACTLY where to place the seat. When you install the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten is a good indicator.
Finally, when you're out and about with your child in car seats, don't leave it unattended, even when you are just running into the store or a quick trip to the park. It's not just risky in the event of a crash, but leaving an infant car seat or baby carrier on a hard surface could cause injuries and falls. Car seats that roll or tip over can cause injury or death to babies.
You will require a booster car seat at some time. Select 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.