Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

Most infant car seats can disengage from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame to make it easy to transport. This makes them very popular with parents who intend to make frequent trips out of town.

Regardless of which type of car seat you choose, dress your baby in clothes that allow the harness straps to comfortably fit over their shoulders and hips. Bulky clothing and blankets can make it difficult to find an appropriate fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seats, also known as convertible car seats that have a rearward-facing position, are designed to accommodate infants and children of a smaller size as long as they meet the weight and height limit specified by the manufacturer. They are typically equipped with an infant insert that makes sure the head of a baby is securely in 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 limit or height limit of their car seat. Certain convertible and all-in-one car seats allow your child to ride rear-facing for longer up to age 4 or 5.

Most manufacturers design their car seats with a reclining angle that can be adjusted to prevent the baby's head from sliding backwards when the car is stopped. You can either read the manual that comes with your car seat to discover how to adjust the angle or watch a video by an influencer for your car seat. It is also important to avoid putting your baby in bulky clothes, like blankets or coats because they can hinder an ideal fit for the harness and cut off airflow around your infant's neck and chest.

Many parents are hesitant about switching their child from rear-facing position to forward-facing. They are concerned that the force of the crash may cause the baby's legs to be ejected from their feet, or their neck or head could be hurled forward violently in a side-impact. However, it's important to remember that the rear-facing position provides much greater protection than the forward-facing position.

A video made by a car seat influencer shows an infant in a forward-facing car seat being thrown around violently in an accident simulator. The resultant head injury is horrendous. The video of the same incident from the rear-facing seat isn't as horrific because the child's head is held by the shell.

So, if your state law requires you to turn your child's face forward avoid it! This is not in accordance with the best practices. The AAP and NHTSA agree that children should remain rear-facing until either they reach their maximum weight or height for the car seat.

Forward-Facing

Infant car seats are made to protect infants and newborns with harnesses that keep them in the car seat. Parents can adjust the recline angle, headrest, and stroller attachments depending on the car seat. The majority of infant car seats come with an upper weight and height limit, and most kids will outgrow them long before they're able to transition to a forward-facing car seat.

It's understandable parents' desire to turn their baby around as quickly as they can, but the current standard requires that children less than one year old stay rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and are 1 year old. The reason is that the neck muscles of infants aren't strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by an accident that rears them, which happens when a child turns forward in an accident.

If a child is caught in a frontal crash the spinal cord could be stretched and strained and cause paralysis or even death. If a child is seated backwards while driving the neck bones are held together and protected by the harness, preventing this type of injury.

Rear-facing babies are also less likely to end up in the back of the car during an accident. In the event of a collision, they are less likely to be injured by a seatbelt that runs across their chests, instead of their necks.

Parents must ensure that their child is using the correct car seat for her size. Always consult the instructions of the manufacturer's car seat and vehicle owner's manual when making a decision. It's also a good idea to visit an accredited car seat technician in your area to get expert advice and assistance.

If an infant is out of their car seat, he or she can change to a convertible car seat. These seats start in the rear-facing mode and then shift to forward-facing mode when they reach their weight and height limits. They can then upgrade to a booster seat with lap-sash seatbelts for adults when they've reached the recommended age and weight.

Convertible

Many new parents are torn between a baby car seat or a convertible. Both have their advantages, but which one is best car seat for newborn for your family? An infant car seat is ideal for infants however if you are looking for something that lasts for many years, a convertible is probably more suitable.

As your child grows and becomes a convertible infant car seat newborn; try what she says, car seat, they can be moved from front-facing to rear-facing. They are able to accommodate children from infancy until late elementary school, depending on the model you choose. Some have higher weight and height limits in the rear-facing position than car seats for infants, allowing them to last longer.

If you opt for a convertible infant car seat Be sure to verify whether it comes with removable infant inserts that ensure a secure and comfortable fit for your baby. The firm padding raises the infant's torso so they can get to the smallest slots in the straps, and it pushes them forward a bit to prevent their head from flopping back against the harness straps or the seat's crotch buckle (which puts the child at risk of asphyxia).

Infant car seats also tend to have a handle parents use to transfer them between vehicles and can be connected to strollers to create a travel system. This feature allows you to transfer your car to your stroller without waking your baby, for trips to the grocery store or mall, or for doctor visits.

Eventually, though your child will eventually outgrow the car seat they were in as infants in the event of reaching their weight limit or their height limit. Most experts agree it's time to upgrade to a convertible car seat when your child's head is within 1 inch of the top edge of the seat. Review the instructions in your seat's manual to ensure that your child is ready.

While convertible car seats might seem more expensive upfront than car seats for infants but they can be more affordable in the long run since you'll be capable of using them for many years. Additionally, some models have lower anchors that permit you to install them with less force than traditional seats, which can lessen the risk of injuries in the event of a crash.

Safety Ratings

Safety is the primary factor 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 give parents additional peace of mind.

Premium features, like adjustable harnesses that do not rethread and anti-rebound bars, will help ensure that your child is secured properly and securely. Other helpful tools, like load legs that brace the base of the seat and help reduce the force of a crash, are available as well.

Reviewing crash test ratings and reviews of a baby car seat can help you determine its safety before purchasing. However it is important to remember that the most crucial factor in determining the safety of an infant car seat is actually how it is used. According to our discussions most accidents involving infant car seats are the result of negligence, whether it's due to improper installation or inadequate restraints for the child.

To ensure you're using a car seat for your infant properly, search for one that has a clear instruction manual as well as plenty of indicators to show it's secure and level, including bubbles on the base that tell you EXACTLY where to place the seat. When installing the seat tighten the straps around the baby's abdomen and chest. The ratcheting sound that it makes when you tighten is an excellent indication.

Also, when you're out and about with your child in car seats, don't leave it unattended, even if you are just running into the store or making a quick trip to the park. It's not just dangerous in the event of a car crash, but leaving an infant carrier or car seat on a hard surface can cause injuries and falls. Seats and carriers that tip over or roll can also hit and injure babies or, worse yet and even cause them to suffocate.

While the decision between an infant car seat and convertible car seats or an all-in-one car seat may feel like it comes down to cost at this point be aware that you will need a booster seat at some time. Consider a convertible car seat or an all-in-one seat to save money over the long term. These seats provide more options and last longer than infant car seats newborn seats.