20 Myths About Car Seat Newborn: Dispelled
Car Seat Newborn
Car seats for infants provide a snug and secure fit for babies. They are typically "click in and snap" models which makes them easy to use.
Make sure that the chest clip is centered at your baby's armpits. If the manufacturer of the seat allows you to use a tightly-rolled receiving blanket to fill in any gaps between your baby's bottom and the crotch strap to prevent the slouching.
Safety Seat Labels
Make sure to review all labels prior to buying a car seat for newborns or other baby products. These labels will provide you with a clear understanding of how to use the product safely and how to maintain it in a safe manner. They can also help you identify non-compliant or counterfeit products.
Beware if, for example you spot a reduced price on a child safety car seat. That lower price could mean that the car seat has been tampered with, isn't in compliance with U.S. standards, or was created for a market outside of the U.S. In these instances the lower price could make the seat less safe and cause serious injuries to your child if it is involved in a crash.
Car seats that are legal have specific requirements for labeling that must be met to pass inspections and to be legally sold in the United States. This includes white labels with black and red letters that indicates that the seat is in compliance with the federal requirements, as well as an additional label on the side of the seat that provides the model number serial number, date of manufacture and instructions on how to use the car seat. A valid car seat includes a user's manual and registration card that verify the seat was purchased from a licensed dealer.
The label on the car seat also contains information about the maximum weight and height of the child. These limits will tell you if a seat is suitable for your child. If your child is short and weighs less than 22 pounds, then you'll need a rear-facing seat.
Some seats, including convertible seats, will come with an indicator that will tell you how to recline the seat correctly. It may be an alignment line that aligns the seat with the floor or a ball that is in an exact slot. This is vital since reclining a seat could put your child at risk for injury in the event of an accident.
Most manufacturers put the warning label centered on the front of the cushion. This is because it will be readily visible when the child is in the seat. It is easy to see and isn't obscured by clothing or other objects.
Harness Straps
If your child is in a stroller, car seat or any other type of carrier, you need to make sure their harness straps are secure and properly placed. This is especially important for infants, who are prone to fall out of the harness and be removed from the seat during the event of a crash.
The 5-point harness is designed to touch five different points on your child's body (shoulders, hips and between the crotch and shoulders) to evenly distribute any crash forces. The ideal is for the straps to be comfortable but not too snug or uncomfortable. If you are unsure of the fit, you can use the "Pinch Test". Use your thumb and fingers to press the strap against the shoulders of your child. If the strap is so tight it causes discomfort, it's time to loosen.
It's also common for parents to believe that their child's harness straps aren't tight enough but this could be more hazardous than a strap that is too loose. A strap that is loose can move with your child's torso in an accident and cause spinal compression which can cause injury or death.
If your child is a forward-facing infant, the harness straps must be placed snugly AT or ABOVE the shoulders. A strap that is placed below the shoulder could allow their torso to slide too far forward in the event of a crash, potentially causing them to fall out of the car seat or to be to be thrown into the windshield. This could cause them to hit the shoulder restraint with their head, causing serious injuries or even death.
If the chest clip of your child is higher than their armpits, it's recommended to place tightly-rolled blankets or washcloths beside the baby as a head and neck support. This will stop them from squirming on the back seat and catching their neck in the chest clip which could cause strangulation in the event of a car crash.
best infant carrier car seat is one of the most misunderstood functions on car seats. Many parents believe that the chest clip holds the child in the seat. Even when it is correctly placed, it may still be a subject of myths associated with it (lower chest clips can puncture the stomach, for instance).
First foremost the chest clip isn't able to actually hold your child's body in the event of a crash. This is the responsibility of the crotch buckle, which is why it's crucial to ensure that the harness is buckled at the crotch and not the chest. If the chest clip is placed too low, the harness straps may slide off of the shoulders in an accident. This could lead to being thrown out of the car seat. It is recommended that the clip be placed at an armpit height like the majority of car seat instructions recommend.
Chest clips serve as a pre-crash positioner that helps keep the harness straps in place and on the shoulders of the child. It's not uncommon for a chest clip to break during a crash due to the force that is applied. However, this will not affect the safety of your child so long as they are wearing the crotch buckles.
If your child is wearing blankets or jackets, be sure you remove it before you secure the harness. This will prevent the straps from fitting properly on shoulders. When taking your child in the car seat, it is best to leave bulky outer clothing at home.
A chest clip that's not properly positioned can prevent your child from reaching their seat belt buckle and unfasten the buckle. This can be dangerous if they are trying to escape their seat while driving, and it can cause them to not buckling themselves properly in a sudden stop, or crash. Installing a buckle Guard to your car seat will deter your child from pressing the release button, and opening their chest clips.
Crotch Buckle
The crotch buckle can be found beneath the baby's shoulders (when in rear facing car seat) or above their shoulders (when in a forward facing car seat). It should be placed closest to the baby's body and between their legs.
Baby's floppy legs are often tucked in the crotch, and they do not sit in the proper position. This can limit their airway and cause them to choke or not respond in the event of a crash.
The buckle cover can be created using a simple crochet pattern to keep the legs in place. The pattern should not have any loose threads around the buckle. The cover should be constructed of a stretchy, soft material.
For more details about your car seat and how to secure it you might need to speak with an expert in child safety. Even if you've followed the instructions for your car seat there is always more to learn than meets the eye.
Car seats for infants are designed specifically for newborns and small infants. They are attached to a base which stays in the car and can be removed with a single click of a button. They come with a variety of features that make them more secure than the larger convertible car seats and include a recline indicator to ensure that the baby is upright.
Many parents choose to use an infant car seat because they are comfortable and portable, especially when traveling. It is important to keep in mind that they're only safe to use until your baby reaches the maximum height and weight limits of the seat.
When your child is no longer in their car seat for infants then you'll need to move to a convertible car seat. These seats come with excellent safety features, including side impact protection and five-point harnesses. However, they're more difficult to move between vehicles and take up more space than infant car seats.
A large hook and a size five crochet thread are needed to make a crotch buckle cover for your convertible seat. The cover should sit over the buckle of the car seat, with some inches of fabric to drape over the edge. Start by making a standing sc on the first chain at the bottom of the belt. Work in sc around the strap including the chains of the previous row. Repeat this procedure to the opposite end of the strap. Fasten off and weave ends.