Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know
Most infant car seats can be removed from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame for easy transportation. This feature makes them very popular with parents who are planning to make frequent trips outside of the city.
Whatever type of car seat you choose, dress your baby in clothes that allow the harness straps to comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips. The weight of blankets and clothing can make it difficult to get an ideal fit.
Rear-Facing
Infant car seats, referred to as convertible car seats with an inclination to the rear, are designed to accommodate newborns and small children up to a weight and height limit set by the manufacturer. They usually come with an infant insert to ensure that a newborn's head is comfortably positioned within the seat's shell.
The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that babies ride rear-facing until they reach their weight or height limits for car seats or the weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first. Certain convertible and all-in one car seats allow your child to ride rear-facing for longer up to about age 4 or 5.
The majority of manufacturers create car seats with a reclining angle that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from sliding backward when the vehicle is stopped. You can refer to the manual that comes with your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle, or view a video made by an influencer for your car seat. Do not place your baby in heavy clothing, such as blankets or coats. They can prevent a snug fit of the harness and block airflow around their necks and chests.
Many parents are reluctant to switch their children from rear-facing to forward-facing because they are concerned that the force of a crash will cause the baby to lose their feet and legs or that their neck and head may be thrown violently forward in a side collision. It's important to remember that rear-facing provides a more protection than forward-facing.
A video made by a car seat influencer shows an infant in a forward facing car seat being tossed around violently in the crash simulator. The head injury that occurs is awe-inspiring. However, the video of the same crash that was recorded from the rear-facing car seat not nearly as horrific, because a child's head is cradled within the shell of the car seat.
So, if your state law requires you to turn your child's face forward, ignore it! This is not in line with best practices. That is the reason why the AAP and NHTSA are now in agreement that children should remain rear-facing until they hit their maximum height or weight for the car seat, whichever comes first.
Forward-Facing
Infant car seats are designed for infants and newborns. Harnesses are used to secure them to the seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle of the headrest, and stroller attachments depending on the car seat. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and a majority of kids will outgrow them long before they're ready to switch to a forward-facing car seat.
While it's normal for parents to want to change their child's behavior whenever they can The current law requires that kids under one year of age must remain rear-facing in a car seat until they reach 20 pounds and 1 year of age. The reason is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash from an accident that rears them, which is caused when a child moves into the opposite direction in an accident.
If a child is being thrown forward in a frontal collision the spinal cord can be stretched and strained, resulting in paralysis or even death. However, if a kid is seated backwards in the car the neck bones stay together and are protected by the straps that secure the harness, which prevents this type of injury.
Rear-facing babies are less likely to end up in the rear of the car in an accident. In a collision, they're less likely to get injured by a seatbelt that runs across their chests instead of their necks.
Pushchairs And Prams must ensure that their child is in the correct car seat for his or their size. Always refer to 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 expert advice from a certified car seat technician who is accredited in your region.
If an infant is outgrowing their car seat, they can change to a convertible or all-in-one car seat that is designed to start in the rear-facing position, and then transitions to forward-facing once they've reached their weight and height limits. When they reach the recommended weight and age they can move to a booster seat with lap-sash belts.
Convertible
Many new parents are split between a baby car seat or a convertible. Both have their benefits but which is best for your family? A convertible car seat is a great option for a durable infant car seat.
As your child grows, convertible infant car seats can be repositioned from front-facing to rear-facing. They can accommodate kids from infancy through late elementary school, depending on the model you choose. Some models have higher weight and height limits in the rear position than infant car seats, allowing them to last longer.
Find out if the convertible infant car seat has removable newborn inserts to ensure a snug fit for your child. These firm padding lifts the infant's torso so they can reach the lowest strap slots, and pushes them forward slightly to stop their head from sliding back against the harness straps or the seat's crotch buckle (which puts them at risk of positional asphyxia).
Some infant car seats have handles to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Others can be clicked into strollers, creating a travel system. This feature allows you to move from your car to your stroller, without waking 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 or height limit. The majority of experts agree that it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat once your child's head is within 1 inch of the top edge of the seat. Consult your seat's instruction manual to make sure your child is ready.
Although convertible car seats may seem more expensive upfront than car seats for infants, they may be cheaper in the long run since you'll be able to use them for a long time. Additionally, some models have lower anchors which allow the installation of these seats with less force than traditional seats, which can reduce injuries in a crash.
Safety Ratings
When shopping for an infant car seat, safety should be the top priority. All infant car seats must be compliant with the safety standards of the federal government, but some go above and beyond to provide extra assurance for parents.
High-end features like anti-rebound bars and no-rethread adjustable harnesses can ensure that your child's safety is maintained. Other useful tools, such as load legs that brace the bottom of the seat to reduce the impact force in a crash are also available.
A good way to determine how safe an infant car seat is prior buying it is to look up its crash test ratings and reviews. It's important to remember that the usage of a car seat for infants will determine how secure it is. According to our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats stem from negligence -- either incorrect installation or improper restraint of a childand not the actual performance of the seat in a crash.
If you'd like to be certain that you are using the correct car seat for your infant, then look for one with a simple manual, plenty of signs that the seat is secure and level and bubbles at the bottom that show you EXACTLY where to place it. When installing the seat tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. A good indication of this is the sound that it makes as you tighten.
Also, when you're out and about with your baby in a car seat, never leave it unattended, even when you are just running into the store or making a quick trip to the park. It's not just risky in a car crash however, leaving an infant car seat or baby carrier on a hard surface can also lead to injuries and falls. Car seats and carriers that tip over or roll can also cause injuries to babies, or worse they could even suffocate them.
You will need an additional car seat at some point. To save money in the long run opt for a convertible or all-in-one car seat that gives you more options and last longer than a car seat for infants.