Ten Things You Shouldn't Post On Twitter
Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
The majority of infant car seats disengage from their base and snap into a stroller frame for easy transport. This feature makes them popular with parents who are planning to make frequent trips out of the city.
Dress your baby in clothing so that the harness straps can comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips regardless of the car seat you select. The bulky clothing or blankets could hinder a secure harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, referred to as convertible car seats that have a rear-facing position are designed to fit infants and small children up to a certain weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert that ensures the head of a newborn is comfortably positioned inside the seat shell.
The AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend that infants remain rear-facing until either they reach the weight or height limits of their car seat. Some convertible or all-in-one car seats allow your baby to be rear facing for longer, right up to 4 or 5 (depending on the model).
The majority of car seats have a reclining angle which can be adjusted to keep the baby's back from slipping forward when the vehicle stops. You can either read the manual for your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle, or view a video made by an influencer of your car seat. Avoid putting your baby in bulky clothing like blankets or coats. They could impede an appropriate fit of the harness and block airflow around their necks and chests.
Many parents are hesitant about switching their child from rear-facing position to forward-facing. They fear that the force of the crash may cause the baby's legs to be ejected from their feet, or their neck and head may be violently thrown forward in an accident that is side-to-side. However, it's crucial to remember that the rear-facing position provides much greater protection than the forward-facing one.
A video by a car seat influencer shows an infant in a forward facing car seat being thrown around violently in a crash simulator. The resulting head injury is a gruesome injury to the head. But baby car seat Push Chairs & Prams of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat not nearly as bad, because a child's head is held within the shell of the car seat.
If your state law requires you to move your child's back, ignore it! This is not in line with best practices, which is why the AAP and NHTSA are now in agreement that children should remain rear-facing until they hit their maximum height or weight limit for the car seat, whichever comes first.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are made to protect infants and newborns with harnesses that secure them in the seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle of the headrest and stroller attachments, based on the type of car seat. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and the majority of kids will outgrow them long before they're ready to be switched to a forward-facing car seat.
It's natural for parents to want 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 one year old. The reason is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash from a rear-end collision, which happens when a child turns into the opposite direction in an accident.
If a baby is caught in a frontal crash the spinal cord can be stretched and torn, resulting in paralysis or even death. However, if a kid is seated backwards in the car the neck bones remain together and are protected by the straps of the harness, which help prevent this type of injury.
Rear-facing babies are also less likely to end up in the rear of the car in an accident. They're also less likely to be injured by the seat belts that stretch across their chests rather than their necks in the event of a collision.
Parents must ensure that their child is in the correct car seat for her size. Always consult the instructions of the manufacturer's car seat and the owner's manual for your vehicle when making an important decision. You can also seek out professional advice from a certified car seat technician who is certified in your area.
If an infant is out of their car seat, they can change to a convertible car seat. These seats are designed to start in the rear-facing mode and switch to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat using a lap-sash adult seatbelts when they've reached the recommended weight and age.
Convertible
Many new parents are torn between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible one. Both have their advantages, but which one is best for your family? A car seat for infants is ideal for infants, but if you want something that will last several years, a convertible is probably a better option.
Convertible infant car seats change from rear-facing to forward-facing as your child grows. Based on the model, they can fit children from infancy to late elementary school. Some have heavier weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than infant car seats, which allows them to be used longer.
If you opt for convertible infant car seats, be sure to check whether it comes with removable newborn inserts that can provide a snug and secure fit for your baby. These pads are firm and lift the baby's body so they can reach the lowest slots for straps, and then push them forward slightly so that they can prevent their heads from hitting the straps on their harness.
Some infant car seats have handles to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Some can be plugged into strollers, creating a transport system. This feature makes it easy to move from your car to your stroller without disturbing your baby for trips to the supermarket or mall, or for doctor visits.
Your child will eventually outgrow their infant car seat. This can happen when they reach their weight limit or height. The majority of experts agree that it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat when your child's head is within one inch of the top edge of the seat. Consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is in the right place.
While convertible car seats might seem more expensive upfront than car seats for infants, they may be cheaper in the long term because you'll be able to use them for a long time. Certain models also come with lower anchors which allows for a simpler installation. This can reduce the chance of injury in a crash.
Safety Ratings
When you are shopping for an infant car seat, safety should be foremost in your mind. All infant car seats are required to conform to federal safety standards. However some seats go above and beyond the minimum requirements to provide parents with extra peace of mind.
Premium features, such as adjustable no-rethread harnesses and anti-rebound bars, will help ensure that your child is secure properly and securely. Load legs, which brace the seat's base and reduce the force of a crash are also available.
Reviewing crash test ratings and reviews of an infant car seat will aid in determining its safety before purchasing. However it's important to keep in mind that the most important aspect in determining how safe an infant car seat is how it is used. According to our discussions the majority of accidents involving infant car seats result from negligence, whether it's due to improper installation or inadequate restraints on the child.
To be sure you're using a car seat for your infant properly, search for one that has a clear instruction manual and plenty of indicators that show it's solid and level, with bubbles at the base which tell you EXACTLY where to position the seat. Make sure you be sure to secure the straps the chest and abdomen of your baby when you install it. The ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten is a good indication.
Even if you're just going to the store or taking a short trip to the park, you shouldn't leave your child unattended in the car. In addition to being a terrible idea in the event of a crash, leaving your infant car seat or carrier on a hard surface outside of the vehicle is a risky practice that could result in injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tip or roll can cause injury or death to infants.
You will need a booster car seat at some point. Choose a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat to save money in the long term. These seats offer more options and will last longer than infant car seats.