15 Things You Don't Know About Infant Car Seat Newborn
Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can detach from their base and snap into a stroller frame for easy transportation. This makes them popular with parents who are planning to travel frequently outside of the city.
Dress your baby in clothes so that the harness straps comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips, regardless of which car seat you select. The bulky clothing or blankets could interfere with a snug harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats (also called convertible car seats that have a rear-facing position) are designed to accommodate infants and children up to the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. These car seats typically include an infant insert to make sure a newborn's head is comfortably positioned within the seat's shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that infants ride rear-facing until they reach their height or weight limits for the car seat, whichever comes first. Some convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your child to remain rear-facing for longer, until around age 4 or 5.
The majority of car seats have an adjustable reclining angle that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's back from falling forward when the vehicle slows down. You'll need to read your car seat's manual for instructions on how to adjust the reclining angle, or watch a video by a car seat influencer to learn how. It's also important to avoid putting your baby in bulky clothing like blankets or coats as they could hinder a snug harness fit and block airflow around the baby's chest and neck.
Many parents aren't comfortable changing their child's rear-facing position to forward-facing. They fear that the force of the crash may eject their baby's legs or feet, or their neck or head could be violently thrown forward during a side-impact. However, it's crucial to remember that the rear-facing position provides much greater protection than the forward-facing one.
A video by an influencer of car seats shows an infant in a forward facing car seat being thrown around violently in a crash simulator. The head injury that follows is terrifying. The video of the same accident from the seat facing rearward is not as bad because the child's head is held by the shell.
If your state requires you to put your child in the opposite direction, do not follow it. This is not in line with the best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should be rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are designed to cradle newborns and infants, with harnesses that help keep them in the car seat. Parents may be able adjust the recline angle of the headrest, 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 kids will outgrow them long before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
It's natural parents' desire to change their baby's position as soon as they can, however the current norm requires that children less than one year old remain facing rear until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year old. The reason is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by an accident that rears them, which is caused when a child moves forward in the event of an accident.
If a baby's neck is forced forward in a frontal accident, the spinal cord can stretch and tear, which could result in paralysis or even death. If a child is looking backwards in a car, their neck bones are held together and secured by the harness, preventing this kind of injury.
Additionally, infants who are rear-facing are less likely to be thrown into the back seat of the vehicle during an accident. They are also less likely to be injured by the seat belts that stretch across their chests instead of their necks, in a collision.
Considering these risks In light of these risks, it is essential parents adhere to car seat safety rules and ensure that their child is in the right car seat for their height. Always refer to the manufacturer's car seat instructions and the vehicle owner's manual before making a decision. You can also seek professional advice from a car seat technician who is accredited in your region.
When an infant outgrows their car seat, they can move to a convertible or all-in-1 car seat that starts 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 with lap-sash seatbelts.
Convertible
Many new parents are split between a baby car seat or a convertible. Both have 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 seats convert from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. This allows them to fit children from the age of infancy to late elementary school, based on the model you select. Some rear-facing car seats have larger weight and size restrictions than the infant car seat which allows for more time of use.
If you opt for convertible infant car seats Be sure to verify whether it has removable newborn inserts that can to ensure a snug and secure fit for your baby. The firm padding raises the infant's torso so they can fit into the smallest strap slots, and moves them slightly forward to stop their head from flopping back against the harness straps or the seat's crotch buckle (which puts the child at risk of asphyxia).
Some infant car seats come with a handle to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Other car seats can be plugged into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature lets you easily transfer your car to a stroller without wake your baby.
Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This can occur when they reach their weight or height limit. The majority of 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 make sure to refer to your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is ready.
Convertible car seats can appear more expensive than the infant car seats initially however, they could be cheaper over time because they can be used for many years. Additionally, certain models have lower anchors which permit you to install them using less force than traditional seats, which could 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 foremost in your mind. All baby car seats must meet federal safety standards, however some surpass the minimum requirements to provide additional peace of mind for parents.
Premium features, like adjustable no-rethread harnesses and anti-rebound bars, can help ensure that your child is secure correctly and securely. Other useful tools, such as load legs that brace the base of the seat and help reduce the impact force 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 prior to purchasing. Pushchairs And Prams is important to remember that the use of an infant car seat will determine how safe it is. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats stem from improper use -- or in the case of an incorrect installation or inadequate restraint of the childbut not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.
To be sure you're using an infant car seat correctly, look for one with a easy-to-read instructions manual and lots of indicators to show it's safe and level, such as bubbles on the base that tell you EXACTLY where to position the seat. When you install the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. The ratcheting noise it makes when you tighten is a good indicator.
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 trip to the park. It is not only dangerous in the event of a crash however, leaving an infant car seat or infant carrier on a rough surface could cause injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tilt or roll over can also hit and injure infants or, even more dangerously they could even suffocate them.
While the choice between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat may feel like it boils down to cost at this point but keep in mind that you will require a booster seat at some time. To save money in the future consider a convertible or all-in-one car seat that will give you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.