Infant Car Seat - What You Need to Know

Most infant car seats can disengage from their base and snap into a compatible stroller frame for easy transport. This feature makes them very popular with parents planning to travel frequently outside of the city.

Regardless of which type of car seat you select make sure your child is dressed in clothes that allow the harness straps to fit comfortably over their hips and shoulders. Bulky clothing and blankets can make it difficult to achieve an appropriate fit.

Rear-Facing

Infant car seat newborn car seats (also called convertible car seats with an open rear position) are designed to hold newborns and children up to the weight and height limits set by the manufacturer. These car seats are typically equipped with an infant insert that ensures the head of a newborn is comfortably placed inside the shell of the seat.

The AAP and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend that children ride rear-facing until they reach their weight or height limits for the car seat or the weight limit for the car seat, whichever is first. Some convertible or all in one car seats allow your child to ride rear facing even longer, up to age 4 or 5 (depending on the model).

The majority of car seats have the option of reclining angles that can be adjusted in order to stop the baby's back from slipping forward when the vehicle slows down. You'll need to read your car seat's manual to determine how to adjust the reclining angle, or find a video from a car seat influencer to learn how to do it. It's also important not to placing your baby in bulky clothing like blankets or coats as they could hinder a snug harness fit and block airflow around your infant's chest and neck.

Many parents are reluctant to change their child's position from a rear-facing position to a forward-facing one because they worry the force of a crash could eject the baby's feet and legs or that their neck and head may be thrown violently forward in a collision with a side. It's important to keep in mind that rear-facing provides a more protection than forward-facing.

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

If your state requires you to put your child forward, don't do it. This is not in line 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

Infant car seats are designed to cradle newborns and infants with harnesses that secure them in the seat. Depending on the model of car seat parents might be able to adjust the headrest and recline angle to ensure their child's comfort as well as select several attachments for the baby's stroller. The majority of infant car seats come with 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 change their baby's position as soon as they can but the current standard requires that children less than one year old remain rear-facing until they weigh 20 pounds and 1 year old. The reason for this is that the neck muscles of infants are not strong enough to withstand whiplash caused by a rear-end collision. This occurs when a child turns forward in an accident.

If a child is thrown forward during a collision with a car the spinal cord could be stretched and strained which can cause paralysis or even death. If a child is looking backwards in the car their neck bones are held together and protected by the harness, which prevents this type of injury.

Rear-facing babies are less likely to end up in the back of the car during an accident. They're also less likely to be injured by a seat belt that stretches across their chests instead of their necks in the event of a collision.

With these risks in mind It is crucial for parents to adhere to the safety guidelines for car seats and ensure that their child is using the correct car seat for their size. Refer to the instructions for your car seat from the manufacturer and the owner's manual for your vehicle prior to making a choice. It's also a good idea to visit an accredited car seat technician in your local area for professional help and advice.

When a baby grows out of their car seat, he or she can change to a convertible car seat. These seats 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 that has lap-sash seatbelts for adults when they've reached the recommended weight and age.

Convertible

Many new parents are split between choosing an infant car seat or a convertible one. Both have their advantages, but which one is the best car seat infant choice for your family? A convertible car seat is an excellent option for a durable infant car seat.

Convertible infant car seats change from rear-facing to forward-facing when your child grows. Depending on the model, they are able to be used for children as young as late elementary school. Some have heavier weight and height limits in the rear position than car seats for infants, allowing them to be used for longer.

Check if the convertible infant car seat comes with removable inserts for newborns to ensure a secure fit for your child. These sturdy pads raise the baby's body so they can reach the lowest slots for straps and push them slightly forward in order to prevent their heads from hitting the straps on their harness.

Some infant car seats come with a handle to make it easier to transfer between vehicles. Some can be plugged into strollers, creating a transport system. This feature lets you easily transfer from your car to a stroller, without having to wake your baby.

Your child will eventually outgrow the infant car seat. This could occur when they reach their weight or height limit. The majority of experts agree that it's the right time to move to a convertible seat once their head is within an inch of the top of the seat, but make sure to consult your seat's instruction manual to ensure your child is prepared.

Convertible car seats may seem more expensive than the infant car seats initially, but they can be more affordable over time since they can be used for a number of years. Some models also have lower anchors, which allows for a simpler installation. This could reduce the risk of the chance of injury in the event of a crash.

Safety Ratings

Safety is the primary factor to think about when purchasing an infant car seats. All car seats for infants are required to meet the safety standards set by the federal government. However some seats go above and beyond the minimum requirements to give parents additional peace of mind.

Premium features, like adjustable no-rethread harnesses and anti-rebound bars, will help ensure that your child is secure properly and securely. Other useful tools, such as load legs that brace the bottom of the seat and help reduce the impact force of a crash are also available.

Reviewing crash test ratings and reviews of a car seat for infants can help you determine its safety before you purchase. However, it's important to remember that the most important factor in determining how safe an infant car seat is the way it is used. Based on our conversations with NHTSA engineers, the majority of crashes that involve infant car seats are caused by improper use -- or in the case of an improper installation or improper restraint of the child- and not the actual performance of the seat in a crash.

If you'd like to be certain that you are using your infant car seat correctly choose a seat with a simple manual, plenty of signs that the seat is level and secure and bubbles on the bottom of the seat that show EXACTLY the best infant seat way to place it. When you install the seat, tighten the straps around the baby's chest and abdomen. One good sign of this is the ratcheting sound it makes when you tighten.

Finally, when you're out and about with your infant in a car seat, never leave it unattended, even when you're just going to the store or making a quick excursion to the park. It's not only a terrible idea in the event of a crash, leaving your infant car seat uk car seat or carrier on a rough surface outside of the vehicle is a risky option that can lead to falls and injuries. Car seats that tip over or roll can cause injuries to babies or, worse yet and even cause them to suffocate.

You will need a booster car seat at some time. To save money in the long run consider an all-in-one or convertible car seat that gives you more options and last longer than an infant car seat.