7 Effective Tips To Make The Most Out Of Your Baby Car Seat
Choosing a Baby Car Seat
As you become a new parent, a car seat for your baby is among the most important purchases you make. Find out about the various types to help you pick the most appropriate one for your child.
Many infant car seats can be easily transformed into strollers to take trips around town. Think about this feature if are planning to use the car seat for Uber or other rideshare services.
Safety
Parents do their best to shield their children from illnesses as well as injuries from bullying and sports. But one of the most important things they can do is ensure their children are safe in a car during road trips. A car accident is the leading cause of death for infants and kids under 13 and many of these deaths could be avoided by using the child safety seat.
Car seats are designed to protect your baby's neck and head and protect them from injury in the event of an accident. The seats also keep your child away from the sweltering hot engine air and prevent them being thrown around the interior of your car.
When you are choosing a car seat, look for the five-point harness system that attaches at the shoulders, crotch and hips to give your child maximum protection. A majority of seats come with side-impact protection which adds an additional layer of protection that can help absorb shock and deflect the impact force of a crash.
Regardless of which type of seat you choose Be sure to read the directions for installation before using it. If you aren't sure, visit an inspection station for assistance from a certified child safety technician. They can show how to correctly install your seat and ensure that it meets the safety standards of motor vehicles in the federal government.
Car seats can be costly. Ask family members and friends with children for suggestions if you aren't able to afford an upgrade to your seat. They may have a car seat you can borrow for a short period of time.
It is best to purchase a new car seat if you are planning to purchase one. Used ones may have been involved in crashes and are more likely to suffer issues that could put your child's safety at risk.
Never leave your child unattended in the car seat. Place the seat on a flat surface such as a sofa or chair, not on a counter or other elevated surface that might cause them to fall. Don't hang toys on the seat handle - they could become projectiles when they crash, and hurt or kill your child.
Comfort
In addition to choosing the right seat for your baby, it's also important to think about how comfortable your child will feel during car rides. This is influenced by the padding and materials used in the seat and also by the temperature and weather conditions where you reside. A seat filled with merino might feel warm for a newborn during the winter, but it can be very hot in summer months for older babies. While reading reviews can give you an idea of how comfortable a chair is, it's best to try out several before deciding.
Newborns and infants are particularly sensitive to discomfort in the car seat. Their neck muscles aren't strong enough to hold their heads straight in car rides, which is why they tend to sneeze and slouch forward. Because of this, it's crucial to ensure the harness straps fit comfortably over their shoulders, with no tension or pinching in any area of the body. Also, ensure that the chest clip sits at the armpit level or lower. Winter coats and other bulky outer layers can also affect the fit of the harness. Dress your baby in light, thin clothing, if required.
After your baby has outgrown their newborn seat and is now able to move to an adult group 1 or 2 seat to ensure safety and ease of use. These seats utilize the vehicle's seat belt or the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system to anchor them to the back seat, as well as a tether strap to keep the seat extra stable. Depending on the age of your child they may be able to take advantage of additional features that these seats offer, such as adjustable head and body support or inserts for infants that are built-in.
Whether you're choosing an infant car seat or a group 1-3 seat, search for easy-to-use features like buckles that are simple and harness adjustments, easy-to-grip handles, and a release button that is conveniently located. The more simple a seat is to use and the more likely that parents will use it correctly and help ensure that your child is safe.
Ease of Installation
The correct installation of car seats is essential to your child's safety. In fact, more than half of all children killed in crashes are unrestrained or improperly restrained (FARS: Fatality Analysis Reporting System). Follow the directions of the manufacturer and your vehicle's owner's manual to ensure that your baby's car seat is as secure for it as possible. If you're not comfortable installing your car seat, get help from an accredited Child Passenger Safety Technician. Push Chairs & Prams can provide hands-on assistance and teach you how to install and use a baby car seat, as well as other types.
You can prevent yourself from a lot of stress by learning about the car seat prior to the baby arrives. Familiarizing yourself with the car seat's features and mechanisms will make it easier to put in and remove your baby's car seat as needed. The best way to familiarize yourself with the car seat is to reserve time prior to your baby's arrival and do a trial run.
Install the seat on a flat surface if you are installing it yourself. Most baby car seats have bubble indicators to indicate if the seat is installed correctly. Additionally, some seats have locks to stop the seat from moving while you drive. Also, make sure that the base of the car is securely attached and that all locking devices are secure.
After the car seat has been installed, take a look at it and see whether there are any bends in the harness straps or LATCH attachments. Twists could compromise the strength of the car seat and possibly cause injury in the event of a crash.
Don't also put your child's coat when in the car seat. It's easy to be caught in the buckle, and then pulled out of the seat during an abrupt stop or a turn. It's the same with snowsuits. They can cause excessive slack, which can create an unsafe situation if you have an accident.
Design
The most well-designed car seats offer the highest safety ratings. This will assist in protecting your child in the event of an accident. They may also have additional features that can be beneficial for new parents, such as an indicator light that shows that the harness is secure and a quick-release buckle. Some infant car seats come with an integrated carry handle that allows you to transport the baby in and out of the vehicle without disturbing them. Some infant car seats can be used as part of a travel system that integrates seamlessly with a stroller that is compatible to help you move between the vehicle and your destination.
The most comfortable car seats are made from high-quality plastics like polypropylene. This material expands under pressure, absorbing impact and keep the child secure. The plastic is shipped in pebble-sized pieces to the factory, where it is made into shells for seat and other parts. Many car seat manufacturers contract with speciality companies for smaller parts like buckle latch plates and harness adjusters, which are usually made from metals. Indiana Mills, for example manufactures buckles and adjustment mechanisms that are used by most American car seat brands.
A tight, snug fit is an important element of any car safety seat. The seat should fit snugly enough so that you cannot pinch more than a finger width between the straps when they're tightened. However, it shouldn't feel too tight that your baby is uncomfortable. Always consult the manual for more details regarding how to install a car seat for your baby.
The number of harness slots is another design element to consider. A sufficient number of harness slots will ensure that your child feels comfortable and secure in the seat. This will improve the safety of your child. There are many different baby car seat designs, from basic ones to luxurious options.
Choosing the best infant car seat for your family will be contingent on several factors that include your budget as well as the type of car you drive and your baby's requirements. An all-in-one car seat is a great option for a lot of families, since it can accommodate your child from birth to the booster seat stage, eliminating the need to purchase multiple car seats.