The Secret Life Of Infant Car Seat Newborn
Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
The majority of infant car seats can be detached from their base, and then reassembled into a stroller that is compatible to make it easy to transport. This feature makes them popular with parents who intend to take frequent trips out of town.
Whatever type of car seat you select, dress your baby in clothing that allows the harness straps to comfortably fit over their hips and shoulders. The bulky clothing or blankets could hinder a secure harness fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats (also known as convertible car seats that have an open rear position) are designed to accommodate infants and children up to the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. These car seats are usually equipped with an infant insert that ensures the head of a newborn is comfortably positioned inside the shell of the seat.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that babies ride rear-facing until they reach their height or weight limits for car seats, 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 seat manufacturers offer a reclining angle which can be adjusted to stop the baby's back from slipping forward when the vehicle slows down. You can either read the manual for your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle, or watch a video by a car seat influencer. Avoid putting your baby in heavy clothing, such as blankets or coats. They could impede an appropriate fit of the harness and hinder airflow around their chest and neck.
Many parents are hesitant to change their child's position from a rear-facing position to a forward-facing one because they worry the force of a crash will throw the child's feet and legs or that their head and neck might be thrown violently forward in a side impact. But, it's important to keep in mind that the position of rear-facing provides more protection than the forward-facing one.
A video posted by an influencer of car seats shows an infant in a forward facing car seat being tossed around violently in an accident simulator. The head injury that occurs is terrifying. The video of the same crash from the seat facing rearward isn't as severe because the child's head is held by the shell.
If your state requires you to face your child forward, don't do it. This is not in accordance with best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should stay rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or the height required for a car seat.
Forward-Facing
Car seats for infants are designed to hold infants and newborns with harnesses that to secure them in the seat. Depending on the car seat model parents might be able to adjust the recline angle and headrest for their child's comfort, and also select from various attachments for the stroller of their baby. The majority of infant car seats have an upper weight and height limit, and a majority of children will outgrow them before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.
It's normal for parents to want to turn their baby around as quickly as they can, however, the current law 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 neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by an accident that rears them, which happens when a child turns into the opposite direction in an accident.
If a child is caught in a frontal collision, the spinal chord can be stretched and torn which can cause paralysis or even death. If infant car seats uk is seated backwards in the car the neck bones are kept together and protected by the harness, preventing this kind of injury.
Rear-facing infants are also less likely to end up in the back of the car during an accident. They're also less likely be injured by the seat belts that stretch across their chests instead of their necks, in a collision.
With these risks in mind, it's vital for parents to adhere to car seat safety rules and ensure their child is in the right car seat for their size. Take a look at the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer as well as the owner's manual of your vehicle before making a choice. You can also seek professional advice from a car seat technician who is accredited in your area.
When a baby outgrows their car seat, they can move to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that begins in the rear-facing position, and then shifts to forward-facing after they've reached their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat using a lap-sash adult seatbelts after they've reached their recommended age and weight.
Convertible
Many new parents are torn between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible. Both have their benefits, but which one is the best choice for your family? A convertible car seat is a fantastic option for a durable car seat for infants.
As your child grows in age, convertible car seats for infants can be repositioned from front-facing to rear-facing. They are able to accommodate kids from infancy through the end of elementary school, based on the model you choose. Some have heavier weight and height limits in the rear position than infant car seats, allowing them to be used longer.
If you choose to purchase convertible infant car seats make sure to determine whether it has removable newborn inserts that to ensure a snug and secure fit for your baby. These firm padding lifts the infant's body so that they can fit into the smallest strap slots, and moves them slightly forward to prevent their head from sliding back against the harness straps or the buckle on the crotch of the seat (which puts them at risk for positional asphyxia).
Some infant car seats have handles to make it easier to move between vehicles. Some can be plugged into strollers, creating a transport system. This feature makes it easy to go from your car to your stroller, without waking your baby for trips to the grocery store mall, the doctor's office, or visits.
Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This can occur when they reach their weight limit or height. The majority of experts agree that it's time to transition to a convertible car seat when the head is within one inch of the top of the seat, but be sure to consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is ready.
Convertible car seats can appear more expensive than baby car seats at first however, they could be cheaper over time because you can use them for a long time. Additionally, certain models have lower anchors that permit you to install them with less force than traditional seats, which could lessen the risk of injuries in an accident.
Safety Ratings
Safety is the first thing to think about when purchasing car seats for infants. All car seats for infants are required to meet federal safety standards. However some go above the minimum requirements to provide parents with additional security.
Premium features, such as adjustable harnesses with no-rethread straps and anti-rebound bars, can aid in ensuring that your child is secured correctly and securely. Load legs that brace the seat's base and help reduce the force in a crash are also available.
Reviewing crash test ratings and reviews of a baby car seat will help you determine its safety before purchasing. It's important to keep in mind 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 misuse -- either inadequate installation or inadequate restraint of the child- and not the actual performance of the seat in the event of a crash.
To be sure you're using a car seat for your infant properly, search for one that has a clear instructions manual and lots of indicators to show it's secure and level, including bubbles at the base which tell you EXACTLY where to position the seat. When you install the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. One good sign of this is the ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten.
When you're out and about with your child in car seats, don't leave it unattended, even if you're just going to the store or a quick trip to the park. In addition to being an extremely dangerous idea in the event of the event of a crash, leaving an infant car seat or carrier on a hard surface outside of your vehicle is a risky option that can lead to falls and injuries. Seats and carriers that tip over or roll can cause injuries or even death to infants.
You will require a booster car seat at some time. To save money in the long run, choose a convertible or all-in one car seat that offers you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.